stries. She had rehearsed this moment countless times, yet the tension in her chest reminded her o

"Ms. Thompson, Mr. Carter is expecting you.

the sleek, mirrored elevator. Each floor it passed brought her closer to the

as waiting. The woman, ever professional, led Sophie

The panoramic view behind him framed the city in muted tones of gray, the

p, setting the tablet

stand with her arms crossed. "Let's not waste e

htly on the armrests of his chair. "I

, her voice sharp. "That company isn't just another piece in y

on the rain-soaked streets below. "Hartley-Tech is struggling, Soph

taken the longest route possible to make everythin

ion unreadable. "Control, Sophie?

, James. I've seen

rk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "And yet y

firmly. "Hartley-Tech is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. It'

e bills, Sophie. They're sentimental anchors that drag companie

a reaction. "We'll see about that. You might have the upper hand now

st the edge of his desk. "I never und

oken history pressing between them like a weight neither co

r. "Enjoy your victory lap whil

a spark of resolve ignite within her. This wasn't just about saving a company-it was a

shadow of something unreadable crossin

opened the file on Hartley-Tech, his