e kind of energy that either meant she was about to take over the world

. "Oh, for God's sake!" She muttered, scrambli

edback. The suspense was killing her. She'd left the meeting with high hopes. She thought she'd nailed it

as just one man-one annoyingly good-looking, coldly supe

ocus, Li

oosing comfort over glam for the day ahead. After all, who needed to impress a

made avocado toast slices, she grabbed he

rb before she jumped in. "To the office," sh

g, and she quickly pulled

ack: 9:00 AM. Do

bold and audacious in business, but that didn't mean she liked rejection especially when it was from someo

**

handed her a coffee and a new stack of paperwork. Lily took the coffee without hesitation. It was her lifeblood at

said, pointing to a folder on her desk.

through the notes. "Let's see... 'Good concept. Strong mark

nie said, leaning o

o ambitious for a first-time entrepreneur.'" Li

l smirk, "I think it means they'

ansions, yachts, and their dignity in o

." Melani

investors. The follow-up meeting was about to begin. Melanie gave her a quick

steady her nerves. "This is Lily Hart," she s

s is Richard Walker, from the investment group. We

ded promising. "Thank you, Mr.

are still concerns. We can't ign

as she braced herself for more condescending remarks about her 'lack of experience' an

mmodating and determined. "I can show how my leadership plans will evolve

o move forward with the deal-but we'd need Adrian Blackwell to partner up on the pro

l who had spent yesterday making her feel like a fool? The one who seemed

ce in her ear. "You don't have the reso

you want me to work with him?" she a

aware of the storm brewing inside her. "We feel

sk losing the investors altogether-or she could play along, just long en

ng enough to show him that she didn't

ough gritted teeth.

t up a meeting

rlwind of frustration. "You've got to

**

didn't like being put in this position, but she'd never back down from a challenge. She

terrupted her thoughts

istant, Melanie, holding a smal

for more sales pitches," Lily

ifferent," Melanie sai

"What do you m

door. The kind of knock that didn't come from someone

just as the d

here

n Bla

was as imposing as ever, and even though she'd seen him just the day bef

and the gleam in his eyes. It was the same damn look he'd giv

" she asked, her voice as

introduce myself," he said, his gaze s

d her eyes.

. "It's come to my attention that w

eeth. "You've got

ough he were amused by her irritation. "And this isn't a joke.

ure how much help someone who undermine

ake sure you're ready for the reality of success, Miss Hart. If you're serious about

m to believe in her. She didn't need his help. But if she had to play nice with this

aid, her lips curling into a smil

replied, stepping into the room