mahogany doors of the exec

had fought to protect-close to her chest. The air conditionin

face a mask of corporate intensity. Sitting directly to his right, in the seat usually

ina stood up and connected he

t sketches she had poured her soul into were overlaid with gaudy colors and erratic structural changes. Seraphina

s-intact, unharmed-and then back at the screen. The theft was complete. Her work

ented the flawed designs. When she reached the budget slide

d uncomfortably in their leather

lammed her hand down on the mi

eked through the speakers, cut

. She stared dire

ated, her voice ringing with authority. "That will completely destroy the luxury positio

of eyes darted between Eleonora and Seraphi

th tears. She turned her head, looking

rying to save the compa

pen onto the table. The sharp cl

nto Eleonora. His stare was dark, oppressiv

his voice echoing off the walls. "I support

ct Seraphina's fragile ego. Then he added, in a tone that made her skin crawl: "If we have to sacrifice a little

ion-dollar brand like a playground-shattered the

eonora, "as a senior member of the team, I expect you

ation. A direct order

quickly filed out of the room, eag

hooting her a triumphant, mocking

the executive corridor, heading straight for the CEO's corner o

M. Graves, stood up quickly, h

he physically stepped back. She shoved th

g his phone to his ear. He spun around at the loud crash of

s massive desk and slammed her

xploding out of her chest. "You are treating a billion-dolla

ace darkening with fury. He walked

ngerously low. "Seraphina is learning. If we lose a

work and destroying my career? She photographed my sketchbook this morn

d grabbed Eleonora's chin, his large fingers digging painfu

d through his teeth. "I told you she is frag

he love she once felt for him was entirely

ng her chin out of his grip. She stumbled

a deadly, icy whisper. "If I tolerate her any longer

. His pupils dilated in shock. He took a step back, stun

ng his hand to reach for h

sh. She turned her back on h

d on the brass doorknob.

y," Eleonora said coldly, "you can

lked out. She slammed the door

through the office, ra

t his right hand-the hand that had just grabbed her chin. A sudden, terrifying w