the air, a spark threatening to ignite the fragile boundaries between them. The Manhattan skyline glittered beyond the windows, a silent witness to the tension coiling in the room. Her si

ty she hadn't seen before. "Elise," he said, his voice a ro

en them electric. "I know," she said, her voice steady despit

hers, fingers twitching as if fighting an invisible tether. Then, with a low exhale, he pulled back, raking a hand

a delay. She nodded, stepping back, her composure a fragile shield. "Then let's

touch, his voice, the way he'd said her name. Victoria's texts and the cryptic email on the server loomed, sowing seeds of mistrus

xander leaned back, his tie loosened, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of taut skin. "

defiance in her eyes. "I to

He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening. "Victori

splash of reality. "What does she want?"

l. She thinks she can manipulate me into a bad

She stood, gathering her notes, needing distance

ed the room, stopping just short of touching her. "Whatever she's told you

s nearness. "Trust goes both ways," she said, searching hi

, conflict etched in his features.

g. She nodded, slipping out before th

Alexander's schedule. But the office gossip had escalated, fueled by her late nights with the CEO. Carla cornered her at th

s sender, containing a grainy photo of Alexander and Victoria at a recent gala, their heads

the image seared into her mind. When Alexander summoned her to his office to re

ng against his desk, his gaze

"I need honesty, Alexander. Abou

"Tonight," he said. "After hours. No i

Elise. Walk away while you can. Elise's grip tightened, her resolve steeling. She