ison-echoed in her mind, but it was his proximity that felt like a toxin, seeping into her veins. The dim light cast shadows across his chiseled features, his gray eyes

, his voice low, edged with something that wasn't

ng her. "I can handle her. She's trying

exterior. "You're braver than most." He stepped closer, the space betw

l that felt dangerously intimate. "And what about you?" she asked

rge to reach for her, and the unspoken desire crackled like static. The doors slid open, breaking the spell,

prepping for the next merger meeting. Yet, Victoria's words from the rooftop bar-Boldness breaks-gnawed at her, a reminder of the stakes. The other assistants, led by Carla, watched her with

nder. She signed for it, her curiosity piqued by the sender's name: Langston Corp. Inside, she glimpsed a handwritten note

the window, his silhouette stark against the Manhattan skyline. "Package f

he read the note, then tucked it away. "Thank you, Miss Harper," he said, his tone

s earlier intensity lingered, a contradiction she couldn't unravel. As she worked, her phone buzzed with anot

ver, her heart pounding. Folder X-17 contained encrypted files-merger drafts, but also personal correspondence between Alexander and Victoria, date

losed the file, her mind reeling. Was Victoria manipulating her, or was Alexand

he said, his tone softer now, almost apologetic. "You've got a kn

ing the spark from the elevator. "I'm here," she said, her voice stead

aking through. "You can," he said, his voice rough. "B

zzed again-another text from Victoria: Told you. He's mine. Elise deleted it, her resolve hardening