“She developed the foundation of the algorithm,” I say, my voice tight. “Whatever else she’s done, we can’t ignore that.”
Austen’s expression darkens. “You’re not seriously suggesting wepayher?”
I grind my teeth, knowing how this looks, but I can’t let it go. “I don’t know what I think right now. But I do know I want this over. No public fallout, no legal bullshit.” But even as I say the words, I realize it’s an excuse. If it were anyone else, I’d crush them so far into the ground they’d never dare look me in the face again.
Austen studies me for a long beat, then exhales through his nose. “Jesus Christ. You’re really in love with her.”
I don’t answer. I just grip the edge of my desk, my knuckles turning white. “How long will it take for the legal team to get everything in place?”
He rubs a hand over his jaw. “Perhaps a week at most. They need to review her contract, identify and address any loopholes, and draft the exit terms. We can’t afford any mistakes. In the meantime, we’ll have to restrict her system’s access and reassign her to non-sensitive work.”
I nod stiffly, forcing myself to focus on whatneedsto be done, not the chaos clawing at my insides. “Fine. Now we are aware of what proposal Elliot is working with; we adjust ours.” My voice hardens. “He thought he had the upper hand—let’s make sure he regrets that.”
Austen gives a slow, satisfied smirk. He wants to see Elliot go down as much as I do.
“And when we bring her in,” I add, quieter, “she’ll have the chance to say her piece.”
Austen’s expression tightens. “You still think there’s an explanation for this?”
I let out a slow breath, staring at the scattered evidence on my desk. “I don’t know, Austen. But I need to hear it from her.”
“Promise me you won’t do anything reckless before legal finalizes everything?”
I drag a hand through my hair, my jaw tightening. “You have my word. Elliot Hargreaves won’t win. Or anyone else who conspires with him.” My voice is steady, but the quiet fury underneath is impossible to miss.
He assesses me long and hard before he reluctantly stands.
“I’ll work on the proposal now before my meeting with Richard,” I say, forcing myself to focus. “Then we’ll meet at Velvet Lounge and have dinner.”
“Fine. Have Bethany coordinate with Zara. We’ll figure something out.” He hesitates in the doorway, rubbing the backof his neck. “You know I’m really sorry it turned out like this, Chase.”
I don’t respond. Instead, I flip open my laptop. “I’ll send you the updated proposal when it’s done. Don’t forward it to anyone.”
He sighs with a nod, closing my door with a quiet click.
As soon as he’s gone, I drop my head into my hands. I’ve got no fucking clue how I’m supposed to get through this week. I should be seeing her tonight, like I always do.
I pick up my phone and open a new message. My fingers hover over the screen, typing, deleting, retyping—trying to strike the right balance between cold and too familiar.
ME
Something came up. I need to entertain clients tonight, so I’ll have to raincheck.
I hit send and turn back to my laptop, but my focus is shot.
Because no matter how much I tell myself, Elliot won’t win—deep down, I know he already has.
Chapter twenty-five
Violet
I scroll through my meeting planner, my brow furrowed in confusion. I could have sworn I was down to attend this afternoon’s Monarch meeting. But now my schedule is empty. I’m about to click out of it when a new event pops onto my screen—Training Session: Internal Project Management Tools—Lead: Violet Harper.
My stomach tightens.What the hell?
“Mmm, that’s odd,” I murmur to myself.
“Are you talking to yourself again?” Seb wheels his chair back, grinning as he glances at my screen.
