N'S

week, compiled research notes for her upcoming client presentation, and cross-referenced three different budget proposals that had been sitting on her desk sinc

pace, causing several heads to turn in my direction. Laura looked up from her computer screen with

toward her corner office. The walk felt longer than usual, perhaps because I w

artwork adorned the walls between her various diplomas and industry awards. Her mahogany desk was impeccably organized, with neat stacks of documen

om her desk. I settled into the chair, notepad at the ready, trying to project an air of profess

e been reviewing your work from the past few weeks, and I'm impressed with both your attention to detai

nk you, Ma'am. I wanted to make sure we had all the

that made it difficult to maintain eye contact. "Which brings me to why I asked you here. I have a special project

above my notepad. "I'm honored by your

about a potential partnership. It's a complex deal involving multiple divisions and a significant financial investment on both

wasn't routine administrative work, but rather a substantial research assignment that would require analytical thi

th our financial department, reach out to industry contacts for background information, and compile everything into a presentation-ready format." She paus

lutely. I appreciate you entrusting

etween us seemed to diminish. "I have a feeling you're going to exceed my expectations o

body, and I found myself struggling to maintain my

eaming through her windows. "Why don't you spend the rest of the day familiarizing yourself with the materials

e folder and clutching it against my chest l

ctoria's voice stopped

d by the softer tone in

ou to know that your work ethic hasn't gone unnoticed. It's refreshing

d I had to take a moment to collect myself before respondin

t of the folder in my hands represented more than just another assignment-it was validation, recogn

washroom," Jake commented as I passed his desk, his eyes still

I settled back into my chair and immediately opened the folder, eag

on away from the documents. She had swiveled her chair to face me directly, her

ect," I explained, trying to keep my tone neutral des

She must really trust your abilities to give you something important like that." There was so

tion back to the documents. "I'm certain

leadership structure, and market performance. The complexity of the analysis required my complete concentration, and I found

busy work or a test of my organizational skills-it was a substantive assignment that would directly impact the company's strategic d

urely on corporate documents?" Jake's voice interrupted my concentration, and I lo

ock. "I got a bit absorbed in this project," I admitted, stretching my arms abov

e around the corner. You're welcome to join us if yo

office environment would be beneficial for team building. However, I also felt a strong pull to continue working on the Meridian project, partly due to m

from the vending machine and keep working. I want to make sure I have a solid

I respect that. Just don't forget to

ope you don't mind me saying this, but you seem to throw yourself completely into everything Miss Sterling asks you t

ompted, genuinely curiou

y become so focused on impressing their supervisors that they lose

rstand what you're saying, Laura, and I appreciate you looking out for me. But this isn't about impressing anyone-I ge

s you're happy," she said, though something in her expression su

to deep concentration. I pulled a protein bar from my desk drawer-a habit I'd developed for situa

't just a simple business deal, but rather a complex arrangement that could reshape how both companies approached their

ning the project, and the genuine warmth in her voice when she had complimented my work ethic. These moments

re than just professional ambition. Every task Victoria assigned me was an opportunity to prove myself worthy of

that wa