e high glass panels. Not far now, his gaze cut left and right, thoughts already sorting calendars, agreements,

oved, then the other, like she wasn't sure where

itant, almost careful. Then: "It's about the

d carefully. "Eli Navarro. He's here for the afternoon se

an normal. Chloe saw it. "A consultant?" Not l

" Chloe added quickly, sensing the tension. "He's effi

fingers to nose. Rules again. It is always rule

ry second spent idle slipped away for good. The person waiting there remained unknown to him personally, yet familiar by name: Adrian Vale. Fresh on the list of top earners, he

d. Their gazes locked, Adrian's look cool, measuring, edged with something close to hunger. A shift ran th

, his tone clipped. "I ass

steady, controlled. "I've analyzed every clause and cross-referenced the data.

eople who come prepared. But understand this: I don't tolerate

ll smile playing on one co

n left this kind of impression Eli did. His certainty didn't shout; it landed clean, exact, like st

ingers wide like starfish. "One part at a time we take it," he said. "Talk straight, Navarro." H

for a twenty percent growth increase if we adjust supply chain timelines and optimize distribution. However..." His voice remained

rief praise was laced with scrutiny. "But you'll need to present contingency pl

ee alternatives. Conservative, moderate, aggressive. Each with fi

like that. But I warn you, Navarro, efficiency alone won't earn tru

I have that covered.

ough the walls seemed to lean in closer. Not just anger. Not only admiration. A p

n Adrian proposed something new, replies came steady and exact. Back and forth they went, voices tense b

ly. The brief contact sent Adrian's heartbeat spiking. He shifted back slightly, pretending the edge of

e, like he was feeling his way through. Not quite

irk lingered. "You'll find arrogance and preparation are some

isky, almost never seen passing over his face. "We will find out

slightly. "And if

s quiet but sharp, each one cutting through

gs felt. Not a word passed between Adrian and Eli while they left. Still, energy hung there like smoke after flame.

, thoughts stuck on each exchange, each cold look, each quiet grin Eli gave him

ing but sharp, Adrian Vale got under his skin. Yet here it was, after ages, something sti