encounter with Nicholas. It gnawed at her, especially the lingering effect his words had on her. Despite her efforts to focus solely on

the deliberate way he'd watched her during their brief conversations. It felt like an impossible line to toe. One moment she was convince

t of her, but her thoughts kept wandering. She had been raised to prioritize her career, to build something meaningful and substantial.

with her father's legal team. Chloe didn't look forward to these meetings. They were procedural, full of discussions about corpor

. A glance at the clock told her she had just enough time to prepare. But before sh

ia said with a note of sur

tch at the mention of his na

I'm not sure. He s

ecially after their last conversation. She hadn't asked for this-hadn't welcomed the idea of him inse

er voice clipped. She could

wearing a dark navy suit today, with a deep red tie that almost matched the storm of emotion Chloe felt when

his lips curling into a slight sm

oe replied, her tone sharp despite her best

chair opposite her without waiting for an invitation. "I wanted to discuss a few points regarding the merger that need m

skipped a beat

ritation. She refused to entertain the idea of discussing anything outside of business

There's a certain... chemistry between us that we can't simply ignore. I'm not here to play game

in her throat. *He

l of the situation before it spiraled further. "You need to leave, Mr. Hawk

ntrol. "I've already made my intentions clear. I don't want to for

ts clenching at her sides. "You've crossed a line. I've t

e air-a tension that felt almost electric. Chloe wanted to push back, to demand he leave. But something in

You know, I'm not used to being dismissed so easily, Chlo

kness. Nicholas paused at the door, turning to look back at her. "But don't

She had done her best to shut him out, but the impact of his words lingered, gnawing at her. He was r

ivers wasn't about to lose sight of the bigger picture. No matter what Nicholas

ught about it, the more she wondered just how far she was willi

-

paperwork for the merger was nearly complete. All that was left were a few final approvals,

and this time, it was a text

waiting outsid

into knots. He couldn'

the confrontation she knew was inevitable. She wasn't sure what to expect fr

fice, casually leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. His

ou still here," he said,

nce defensive. "I'm not in the

ght. "But I think you are, Chloe. You're running away from something t

aid, her voice hard. "I'm just focused

ce overwhelming. "Your career matte

a step back. "No. This is n

ance. But it didn't last long. The playful glint in his eyes returned. "Yo

her standing there, torn between her resolve a