– Escalati

wling study seemed subdued, replaced by a taut undercurrent of unease. Debbie arrived early, her mind still repla

ful precision, almost like a predator guarding his territory. Greg didn't notice her at fi

said softly, trying to

breaking into a small, almost she

er chest still ached with the memory of their accidental touches,

in his chair, "we have to foc

ut we also need to be mindful of... external risks. Someone tried to

ed. And they won't stop. But w

very accidental brush of a hand sent shivers through Debbie, but she forced herself to remain professional.

e the ph

and saw it was from her company - the kind of call that imm

"We need to discuss a potential ethics violation regarding your ass

. "Ethics violat

iately. This is urgent,

who had been watching her reaction closely. "They'r

arkened. "An ethics

I don't know the details, but t

Stay calm. We'll

e; her mind spun with possibilities. Had someone reported their late-night sess

onference room. Her supervisor, a stern woman named Marlene, sa

egarding your conduct with Mr. Hartman. Specifically, your proximity, the late-

my work professionally at all times. Our interactions

cs clause clearly forbids personal relationships or any behavior that co

u, nothing has happened. I've maintained

ils, revisions, communications - everything that shows your adherence to protocol. We'll

because of the manuscript deadlines, but because of Greg himself

reg pacing the study. "They call

violation. I... I don't know what they expect me to do, but I h

ir. "So, they're trying to pun

chair. "This could complicate everything.

Together. But right now, we need to focus on the

med work, but the atmosphere had shifted. Every brush of a hand, every shared glance carri

the garden bathed in the silver glow of moonlight. The cool air was a relief f

ning against the railing. "I can feel

no idea how tense I am," she murmu

nce magnetic, almost suffoca

hers, patient, probing, and impossibly intense. "This isn't easy," she admitted, voice tre

ened. "I know. But whatever happens, we'll

and attraction. She wanted to trust him, wanted to lean into the tension, to let

shattered the fragile moment - a loud cra

manuscripts tumbled, and a sharp metallic clink echoed from the floor. Greg

w and dangerous. "And they're not l

ith a jolt that their late-night closeness, the playful tension, an

intruder. The shadow moved again, just at the edge of the lantern light, and she caugh

protective. "No one interferes with us...

masked figure holding a heavy envelope. Her breath caught. The metallic glint fro

sent you?" he demanded, his

the envelope on the desk, then retreated swiftl

open carefully. Inside were more pages -

the consequences. Your endi

them, knew the manuscript, knew the slow-burning tension that had beg

n. "They think they can control us... our work, our lives, our

between professional boundaries and personal desire blurred further. She wanted to reach out, to trust him ful

ipts scattered across the floor, and the knowledge th

buzzed - an a

m forever... and soon

t battling deadlines, manuscripts, or professional rules. They were in a game