She blinked.
So this wasn’t a joke.
A faint wave of relief slid through her—but the tension only tightened. Everything felt like a carefully staged puzzle she’d been dropped into without instructions.
Julian stepped out from behind the counter and motioned for her to follow.
Her heels clicked loudly against the wooden floor, the sound too sharp in the stillness, like she was walking through a museum. She followed him past shelves of antique books and glass cases filled with porcelain, until he stopped before a door in the far corner—one she was certain hadn’t been there a moment ago.
The corridor beyond was narrow, dimly lit.
A strange place.
Julian knocked on one of the doors, waited two seconds, then opened it and stepped aside.
“Go ahead.”
She crossed the threshold, and the door clicked shut behind her.
The office was nothing like she’d imagined.
No antiques. No heavy carved desks. No velvet drapes.
Everything was modern. Minimalistic.
A sleek glass desk with a few neatly arranged folders. A leather chair. Built-in shelves holding only a handful of books and a small globe.
And behind the desk sat a man.
Nina froze.
Mid-thirties, maybe a little older.
He was handsome. Dark hair cut short the way you’d see in glossy magazines. And his blue eyes watched her with a kind of quiet curiosity.
He was far too polished to be just an ordinary attorney. The dark suit fit him flawlessly, and the watch on his wrist was obscenely expensive — she would know.
This man was expensive.
He gave her a quick, assessing look—from the crown of her head to the tips of her shoes.
She felt her muscles tighten.
“You’re…Nolan?” she asked, something heavy curling inside her chest.
He tilted his head slightly.
“And you must be Nina.”
His voice was low, a little rough.
“Please, have a seat,” Nolan said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Unease prickled under her skin, but she moved closer and sat carefully.
Her anxiety churned. Nolan laced his fingers together and studied her with a level, too-calm attention.
“Since introductions aren’t necessary, let’s get to it,” he said, voice smooth and even. She had the unsettling sense he’d already made several conclusions about her. Jasper must’ve told him more than she expected.
