bid is due tomorrow at noon, Ava. Noon. And the

laying the project folder. He radiated a tense energy, a mix of ambition and barely concealed panic. In my old life, I would have fe

was one of Chloe's little acts of sabotage. It was designed to make me look incompetent and to give Mark a reason to "step in

eeping my voice level and professional. "But there seems to be an issue with th

pped, finally turning his gaze on me. His handsome face was tight with what I once mistook for profession

of the schematics from yesterday, Mr. Patterson. We could manually re-

d he admired my work. In the past, I wou

nd we don't pay a senior architect her salary to have an in

o sting and undermine my authori

up. "Mark, if you

ver me. It was a clear gesture of dominance, a physical barrier.

restore that file from the server. Do you unde

fail so his plan could proceed. The memory of his empty eyes as he locked

wounded. Our fight escalated into a quiet, vicious argument right here in the

t that pers

ximity between us. I looked from his hand on my d

bmissive. "You're right. I'll keep working on

liance threw him off balance. A flicker of suspicion crossed his face, but it was quickly

ont of his expensive suit. "Good. I'

I knew who he was calling. He was calling Chloe

ixture of confusion and concern. "Av

but it didn't reach my eyes. "Don't wo

e the file. I didn't do anything. I just watched the blinking cursor on the screen, a tin

ving up. He thought

ld make. I was giving him the rope. All of it. And I would watch,