r and over that I was more than ready to face Ethan King again. After all, I'd walked out of his office o

lden glow on the towering glass structure. The building seemed even more in

vast space. I could feel the eyes of the other employees as they passed by, but I didn't falter. I kept

t help but think of what Ethan must be feeling now. He'd tried to get rid of

button for the floor where my new office awaited. Just

dis

lips. I quickly pressed the button to close the doors, but not

way down the hall toward me. I kept jabbing the button, willing

cou

pace. He was wearing another impeccably tailored suit, and I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to

ng with forced politeness. There was an edge to it, th

n't r

at passed. He had wanted me gone, and yet here I was, standing besi

ing comfortable," he continued when I

ercing green eyes with an unwavering stare. "I

e, Madison. This isn't high school anymore.

eyebrow. "Ne

ills. The tension in the small space was palpable, and I could sens

sliding open with a soft hiss. I stepped forward witho

out, his hand shot out, grabbi

arching mine. "I just wanted to say.....you lo

ack up at him, my expression unre

ked out of the elevator, my he

el his eyes on my back, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of turning around. The room was already filled with staff members

Her grin was wide, a little too eager, as she adjusted her scarf to reveal more of her chest. I suppressed a g

om Ethan and his sycophantic assistant as possible. I sat down, keeping my posture

the room. The staff responded in unison, though the energy in the air was stiff, almost r

rt of the meeting. "I'd like to begin wi

an seated next to me. She grabbed them in a rush, her movements exaggerated as if trying to impress everyone with he

ushing against his shoulder with each subtle shift of her body. My stomach twisted in disgust as I glanced around the ro

stoic, focused on the report in front of him. After a

ordered, his voice

but trying to mask it with a forced smile. The room fell into an awkward sil

quiet. My name on his lips sent a jolt of surpri

rper than intended, but I wasn't ab

he instruc

the weight of everyone's gaze shift toward me. My heart race

ked, trying to kee

ssessing me carefully. "I'd like you to in

as he putting me on the spot like this? And more

is Madison Taylor. I've worked with top firms and helped them streamline operations

lenge, perhaps, or maybe a hint of amusement. "Good," he said, leaning forw

e feeling that this was some kind of game to him. A way

y veiled disdain, shifted in her chair, clearly irritated

raising an eyebrow, meet

, please switch seats with Ms Taylor" he said turning his atten

y fine here"

th the other manage

p my things before he

After much hesitation, she stood up and

n" the man seated besi

mouthed a sma

n and Ethan began to address the

and due to lack of briefing, I began to feel

an said, tapp

ed up

onfused" he

lly" I m

ginning to doubt if you c

art d

berate me in fro

Mr King" I

back to the document

ful hours, the meeting

e else hurriedly packed up

avigating the piles of docum

" a feminine voi

found Samantha starr

you call m

ll the same pathetic quivering mo

asked, my voice

I. We've been together since high school, we're me

Samantha Smith. The head che

to work. I don't want Ethan"

to me. Her perfume filled my nostrils and

ou wouldn't live to tell the story" she whispered in my