er took exactly 45 seconds. Vivian counted every one of

stepped into the chaos that

hing their coffee cups like life rafts. The Sterling HR team was moving thr

via

s a tiny girl with glasses too big for her fa

ey fired three people already. They s

er. "Breathe, Win. It's just co

harp voice cut t

creative IP belongs to Sterling Group. No freelance work. No side projects. And..." She scanned the room

ative Director of Sterling who had been demo

eone's in troub

d her skirt, lifted her chin, a

hen the doors opened, Gavin was waiting

stammered.

vian asked, br

, bu

pen the double

ke it had been carved from the hull of a pirate

it

ow, forcing her to look up

Recognition flickered in his eyes-not of h

ian Sullivans. The woman who dest

sition," Vivian said evenly

d up a pen. "I've reviewed your portfolio. The

Adequate?" Her designs had won awards in

But he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. Negotiation 101: never let the asset know their value. "Confidence," Julian mused. "I like that. But here at Sterling, we require obed

it. It was a

. "Why do you wa

with disdain, "had zero taste. She filled my life with beige. Rose... Rose understands pass

ng about her. He was insulting her to her face, praisi

o thick she cou

d, testing the waters. "Sh

bligation. She had no spine, no fire. Unlike you." He turned to

she just didn't show it to

eavy. He walked around the desk until he was leani

rried, Miss

he said quick

e is a trap. Work... work is honest." He tapped

pen. Her hand shook,

n Sul

m," Julian said. He

loused. A shock of electricity shot up

he had been burned. He looked at her hand,

dismissed her,

lked to the door. Befo

Sterl

ha

ming color. Maybe yo

door before he

d door. He rubbed his hand

l is she?" h