r. The rough paper scratched her sensitive skin. She pu

s with his department head. He suggested transferring her to his

salary, but it did not offer the massive completion bonus tied to the Beaumont joint

a deep breath, plastered her professional mask bac

bustling bullpen with Eth

. She pulled up the digital files and began organizing

he elevator door

was flanked by a full entourage of

was the hum of the air conditioning. Julian inspected the f

e picked up the printed preliminary project propos

ges. His expression darkened with m

loudly criticized the data models. He called the work "amateur, s

He ensured his harsh, cutting reprimand carried across

ace burned with intense humiliation. Her stomach churned, but

e intern bank across the room. She was clutc

ed eyes. She acted as if the public scold

aced a small, manicured hand on his forearm. Her e

he stated, her voice trembling, that Chloe had work

rison, and back to Julian. She pleaded with t

an anyone else here," Poppy used a fragile, t

lence. They viewed Poppy as an absolute angel of merc

looked down at Poppy's tears. He reached out and gen

s eyes were filled with deep disgust, silentl

Harrison, and surprisingly, agreed to Po

the lead role. He made it explicitly clear that it

ordered a bewildered Blake Reynolds to hand

ramped desk. She reached out and placed her warm hand direc

voice dripping with hidden poiso

einstated out of fake pity from the woman who had repl

e on. They walked away, leaving the

. His hands were clenched into tight fists

had just dropped onto her desk. She felt exactly like a st