Page 55 of Lucas

Occasionally, they talked about various companies he wanted her to research, and she would put together comprehensive packages on the state of their finances, demographics, and sometimes, pertinent information that would help Ashton make an offer if he decided to.

She loved that part of her job most. Digging deep to find an advantage, however small it may be. She was ready to get the details for the next one.

Today however, Mr. Carter studied her over steepled fingers and it felt as though he could see right down inside her. She shifted in her seat. There was always a vibe of barely restrained intensity surrounding her boss, and she’d been on the receiving end of his soul-freezing stare before.

But this felt different.

“Do you know how I became successful, Ms. Long?”

Of course she did. Everyone in the greater Boston area knew about Ashton Carter. She nodded. The stories about his success were everywhere and she knew them by heart.

“You bought out a struggling newspaper Atlanta when you were nineteen and then…”

“I’m well aware of the technical parts of my success,” he said, cutting her off. “I’ve turned that initial investment into a very high net worth, but again, do you know how?”

This time she shook her head. Clearly he didn’t need a rundown of his own accomplishments. “Hard work?”

“By surrounding myself with people I can trust. Who value my company as much as I do. I only hire the best of the best and in turn, I expect the best. And where do the very best people come from, Ms. Long?”

Bria swallowed the unease that clogged in her throat. The air between them vibrated with tension. The edge of the notebook dug into her gut. “I…I don’t know,” she murmured.

“People such as yourself. A graduate of Brown if I remember correctly.” He lifted one eyebrow and her unease turned to full blown panic. Something about the way he asked made her blood run cold. “Top of your class, right?”

She was a deer caught in headlights. It was as if he were daring her to answer his questions.

Did he know?

Her pulse hammered in her ears. Technically she had graduated top of her class, just not at Brown like she said on her resume.

Slowly, she nodded.

He narrowed his eyes his lips went tight. When he laid his hands on his desk and leaned forward, she automatically sat back.

His gaze pinned her in place as he waited.

“So is it true that you graduated top of your class from Brown University, Ms. Long?” The way he said her name, his voice deep and low, sent shivers along her arms. “You choose to continue this charade?”

He knew.

Bria dropped her head and refused to look at him.

“Do you know what I value most in all of my employees?” he asked too softly. There was a steely undertone that demanded she answer his question. She felt herself being backed into a corner which only kicked her fight or flight response into overdrive.

She couldn't run.

All she had left was to fight.

What kind of person expected all his employees to be Ivy League graduates for crying out loud? Did the mailroom guy have a degree from Harvard? The receptionist from Yale?

Bria had obviously done her job well despite the fact that her degree had the name of a state university. She was a damned good assistant despite that fact.

“I’ve done an exceptional job here,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t wobble.

“I value honesty above all else,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I demand it from everyone who works for me. Integrity, Ms. Long, is the number one attribute I expect, especially from someone who works with me as personally as you do. I have to trust my employees to treat this company as I would. So imagine my surprise when I sat down in my office after a long and tiring trip, and upon checking my email, see that I’ve received an anonymous tip from someone claiming you lied on your resume. That you did not graduate from Brown, as you stated you had when you applied for this position.”

Every word was spoken with tightly controlled emotion.

She could see the way his jaw kept clenching, the way his fingers pressed down into the desk. There was accusation all over his face, but it was the disappointment in his eyes that made her stomach drop.