woman with a face carved from ice, moving with a speed that was almost aggressive. The click

eir lips as she approached. The air was thick with something more than the usual Monday morning ten

levators reserved for senior exe

out to stop them. Diane, a senior analyst from her project te

eyes darting everywhere but at Arde

n's voice was

older closer as if it contained state s

the movement, the flicker of

Arden said. It

r the foundation event. Nothing important

lite veneer and gaining an edge of steel. The authority i

er. Her fingers were trembli

t was titled: "Sterling Foundation Annual

hilanthropists, and city officials. She found what she was looking fo

d, twelve-point font

k, leaving small crescent-shaped indentations. She forced her expression to r

ing their arrival on the 47t

of anxiety. Her eyes immediately locked onto the folder in

ed, rushing to her side. "It came down from the CEO's offi

an event Arden had spent the last six months planning. They ins

in the quiet hallway. A few interns gossiping by the water c

of Manhattan. She was acutely aware of the eyes on her back, watching through the blinds o

her desk. A small, thoughtful gesture from Lauren. Arden picked it up and took a long, deep swal

outside her office, she he

nt. What a joke. I'm telling you, that Sloane Kensing

er hand turned white. A drop of condensation slid down the side of the cup and

d calmly blotted the moisture from the expensive fabric. The last flicker of hes

m. "Lauren, get me the CEO's office.

the speaker. "I'm sorry, Arden. Caleb says Mr. Sterling is

ed Arden's lips. A crit

the intercom wit

pstick-a bold, defiant red-and carefully reapplied it. The woman staring back at her was no long

open her

" Lauren asked, jumping up f

single, unmarked elevator at the far end of the hall. The one that re

on her wedding day, that she had never once used. It granted access to any p

ght flashed, and with a soft ch

eace settled over her. Her heart, which had been hammering against her ribs, grew

opulent reception area staffed by a team of executive assistants. They looked

intercept her. "Mrs. Sterling, I'

t the reception desk, her aura of cold fury a t

ed quickly, planting himself in front of the massive double doors of polished ma

is professional composure fin

ked him directly in the eye, her voice a lo

promise you, by noon tomorrow,

able, made him flinch. His body went rigid, his defen

the opening

ing around the heavy, cold brass h