Rivals At Heart

ything else about her. The morning sunlight streamed through the glass facade, casting her shadow long across the floor as she nodded

Museum renovation. Not just any project, but a career-defining project, one that would cement her place among the architectural elite of the city. The one that would prove her mother right for mortgaging their home to send her to architect

hters in high school, through presentations to skeptical clients, through every step of her journey to this moment. Her phone buzzed. A text from Chloe, her assistant. *Urgent meeting in the main conference room. The CEO wants everyone there by 9.* Ava

chest, her normally perfect bun coming undone. "Thank Go

rgers meant possible replacement, restructu

r voice. "Caldwel

ly slipped from Ava's fi

athan Caldwell, the man who is very talented in architecture. Nathan Caldwell, the man whose work she'd publicly criticized last year at the Architectural Digest symposium. The man who'd b

id, without assurance. "maybe

tened her black blaze

the news first or to make a quick escape afterward; Ava wasn't sure. She slid into a seat near the middle, setting her portfolio on the table. Her phone buzze

d magazine covers. William Caldwell, grey-haired, impeccably dressed, radiating the confidence of someone who'd spent decades shaping city skyline

and no tie, as if boardroom meetings were beneath him. His eyes scanned the room with clinical detachment until they landed on her. A flash of recognition crossed his face. He smirked slightly before his expression returned to professional neu

pportunities arrive without warning. I'm pleased to announce that as of midnight last night, Lawson & Associates and Caldwell Design Group have merged

in sustainable, community-focused design with Caldwell's innovative structural appro

n be unsettling, but I assure you, this merger will benefit both our client portfol

integrating our teams over the coming weeks." Tristan added. "Most of you will continue your current pr

mmond. Would she be replaced? Her hand shot up across the table.

answered smoothly, "but we value the talent in bot

and unbothered as he studied something on his tablet. Not even bothering

tinue under Richard's team. The Lakefront corporate campus remains with Aria's group." He flipped a page in his n

years competing with. Her gaze snapped to Nathan, who finally looked up from his tablet. Their eyes locked across the table, and for a burning momen

hilosophies," Tristan continued, ignorant of Ava's internal crisis. "Their

h a glass cube given half a chance. The meeting continued, but Ava barely heard the words. Her projec

eive project documents this morning. Individual meetings will be scheduled

nd wasn't just a building to her. It was personal. Her mother, newly arrived from Mexico with nothing but determination and a love

. Bl

, studying her with those penetrating eyes accompanied by a warm smile. Up close

sing to let him tower over her

in a warm manner. His voice was deeper t

tion. This thank you, of course, w

together, so it seems we would

y. "I don't think it's necessary. Well, in case you don't know, I don't mix pleasur

asked, surprised

have studied most of your

to read. "Have you?" She couldn'

of efficiency'.'" A hint of a smile touched his lips. "I believe you responded by calling my Riverside Tower 'a mon

nued, "the Hammond is significant. Too sign

dily. "Which is why I'll be presenting my origi

ires structural innovation that honors historical elements while ensu

m?" Her ey

placed his tablet on the table between them and pulled up a file. "These are the preliminary structural as

scans she'd never seen before. "How did

sessment six months ago. The board was c

the merger discussions? That you were alread

arched. "I was under the im

s face when he saw them talking. "Ah,

collaborative approach to the

resting." Tri

and identity. The board expects regular updat

a smile. "

profile of this renovation and the public nature of some of your professional di

?" Ava as

n. "that this project will serve as an evaluation of both your fu

ork together effectively, we'll be forced to reass

person was certainly not her. And Ava had no doubt who had mor

d, his tone making it less a q

Nathan

ely," Ava

scussing integration timelines, Ava tur

intensity threading every word. "I won't let anyone take it from me, e

ing about me, Ms. Blake." His voice dropped to a near whisper. "But you're about to learn that I've earned every project I've ever received. And I

hint of a challenge in his voice. "Your strengths. Your weaknesses. Your predictable patterns. I know exactly what makes your des

, he'd get one. But as she opened her portfolio and stared at her carefully crafted designs, designs that now seemed vulnerable in ways she hadn't considered, a troubling question emerged. Why had he been studying her work for years? And why couldn't she shake the feeling that there wa