Chapter 5

Jeremy tucked his iPad under his arm, his voice still as flat as a dead pond.

"Ms. Sterling, Mr. Harrison is indeed a senior trustee, responsible for supervising compliance."

"But the human resources and daily management of the executive suite have never fallen under the board's jurisdiction."

He paused.

"That is written in the company bylaws in black and white. It is not up to me, nor is it up to Mr. Harrison."

Victoria’s eyes turned absolutely icy.

"Jeremy," she said, addressing him by his first name for the first time, dropping even the polite "Mr."

"Do you have any idea who you are talking to?"

"I do," Jeremy said. "Victoria Sterling, the newly hired secretary of the executive suite. Today is your first day."

The words weren't loud, but they stung.

She turned around and looked at me.

Realizing she couldn't break Jeremy, she decided to shift her pressure back to me.

"Chloe," she walked over, her voice barely a whisper. "I am giving you one last chance."

"Cooperate with me on today's matter, and I’ll act like nothing happened."

"You can keep coming to the executive suite, I won't stop you. We can stay out of each other's way."

"But if you keep pushing this..."

She paused, her eyes scanning my face.

"I won't hesitate to have Mr. Harrison handle this personally."

"If things blow up, it won't end well for anyone."

I pushed the plate of durian aside and looked up at her.

"Victoria," I said, "how long have you been in this lounge today?"

Victoria frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just curious," I said. "You walked in, locked the door, brought up your backer, threatened the chief assistant, and now you're trying to negotiate with me."

I tilted my head.

"Do you honestly think you have any leverage left?"

The look in Victoria's eyes shifted instantly.

It wasn't anger; it was the sudden panic of someone whose bluff had been called, leaving her completely cornered.

But she masked it quickly.

She took a deep breath, forcing a cold smirk onto her lips, her gentle disguise entirely shattered.

"Chloe, you've got a sharp tongue."

"I've been like this since I was a kid. My brothers are used to it."

"Brothers?" Victoria repeated the word, her tone dripping with mockery. "Your brothers aren't here right now."

"And no matter how much they spoil you, they can't shield you from this."

She took a step closer.

"So, Chloe, you'd better think carefully."

She raised her hand, pointing toward the door.

"Now, are you going to walk out yourself, or should I have security escort you out?"

Jeremy stepped forward. "Ms. Sterling—"

"Jeremy, if you stop me again," Victoria turned, her voice dropping to a freezing register, "I will call Mr. Harrison right now and have him ask you why an assistant is repeatedly obstructing the administrative management of this office."

Jeremy stopped.

Victoria turned back to me, keeping her hand pointed toward the hallway.

"Let's go, Chloe."

I looked down at her outstretched hand.

I stared at it for about three seconds.

Then, I raised my eyes, looking past her shoulder toward the doorway.

Sensing my gaze, Victoria frowned and slowly turned around.

Heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway.

The door swung open.

Carter was standing at the entrance.

"What," he spoke, his voice dangerously level, "is going on here?"