Novels by Ree Joyce

Lydia wasn't supposed to be watching Elena.Not yet.Her instructions had been clear.Find out who Elena has been meeting privately.But when Lydia noticed Elena leaving her office alone at 8:34 p.m., she knew the opportunity had presented itself sooner than expected.Lydia glanced at the clock on her computer.It was 8:35.Most of the employees had already left. The usually busy corridors of Rivera Corporation had grown quiet, with only a few lights still glowing across the offices.She looked toward the executive wing.Elena stepped out of her office.She had her phone in one hand and a file tucked beneath her arm. She stopped beside her desk, checked something on her phone, then slipped it into her handbag.Lydia watched from a distance.Elena wasn't dressed for another business meeting.She wasn't carrying the usual stack of documents she took when meeting clients.And she wasn't accompanied by an assistant.She was leaving alone.Lydia's eyes narrowed.She glanced back at her com

Lydia arrived at Rivera Corporation earlier than usual.The building was only beginning to fill with employees when she stepped through the entrance, badge hanging neatly from her neck.She had been posted to Rivera Corporation only recently, officially brought in to assist the Strategic Operations team.The timing made sense on paper.The Carter Holdings partnership had increased the workload across several departments, and the company needed additional staff to help with scheduling, reports, document coordination, and communication between teams.Lydia's position was temporary.At least, that was what everyone believed.She walked toward her cubicle and placed her bag beneath the desk.Her workspace was small and unremarkable, surrounded by several others in the same department. Nothing about it suggested that she had any special access or authority.That was precisely how she wanted it.She turned on her computer and began sorting through the reports waiting for her.A few minutes

Marcus came home late that evening.The house was quieter than usual, most of the lights already dimmed. He loosened his tie as he walked through the living room, intending to head straight upstairs.Then he noticed the garden doors were slightly open.Through the glass, he could see Sofia sitting outside.She was alone, seated near the edge of the garden with a glass of water beside her. Her attention was somewhere beyond the trees, her expression distant.Marcus hesitated.He remembered the missed calls.And the unfinished message.He had meant to respond.Work had simply swallowed the rest of his day.He stepped outside.Sofia heard the footsteps and turned.Their eyes met."You're home.""Yeah."Marcus stopped a few feet away."I saw your calls."Sofia looked away."I figured you were busy.""I was. I meant to call you back."She nodded, though there was something restrained in the movement.Marcus took a seat nearby.For a moment, neither spoke.The silence wasn't exactly uncomfo

The next morning, Elena was already at work.Her office was quiet except for the occasional sound of pages turning as she worked through the documents waiting on her desk.She had barely touched her coffee.Her attention should have been on the reports in front of her.Instead, Adrian's question from the previous evening kept returning to her.Do you ever wonder what things would be like if circumstances had been different?Elena paused with her pen in hand.She hadn't expected the question.Not from him.And certainly not now.She leaned back slightly, staring at the document without reading it.Why had he asked?Was it simply something that had crossed his mind?Or was he beginning to sense that there was something about their history he couldn't remember?Elena's expression tightened.She didn't know.And she wasn't going to assume.She looked back down at the document and continued reading.Whatever Adrian was beginning to question, she had no intention of answering questions he h

The morning was already busy at Rivera Corporation when Elena walked into the conference room.Adrian was already there.A folder sat open in front of him, his attention fixed on the documents inside.He looked up when she entered."Good morning.""Good morning."Elena took the seat across from him and placed her tablet on the table."Let's start with Carter Holdings."Adrian nodded and turned the folder toward her."The revised projections came in this morning."Elena scanned the figures."Their expected return is higher than the previous estimate.""They adjusted the risk allocation.""That explains it."She continued reading."The legal team approved the changes?""Most of them.""Most?"Adrian pointed to one section."They're still reviewing the liability clause."Elena nodded."I'll have our legal team coordinate with theirs.""That should resolve it."They moved through the remaining figures, discussing timelines, responsibilities, and the next stage of the partnership.The conv

The restaurant was quieter than Elena expected.She stepped inside and gave her name to the hostess."Mr. Carter is already here."Elena nodded.She followed the hostess toward the back of the restaurant.Jace stood when he saw her approaching."Elena.""Jace."He smiled."I'm glad you came.""You made it sound like an important business dinner.""It is."She gave him a brief look."Good."He pulled out her chair.Elena sat.Jace returned to his seat.For the first few minutes, they discussed the partnership.The Carter Holdings proposal.The upcoming negotiations.The areas where both companies could benefit from working more closely.Jace was prepared.Elena noticed."You've clearly gone through the numbers.""I wouldn't have invited you otherwise.""Good."He smiled."You always make everything sound like an evaluation.""Because it usually is.""I'll try not to take it personally.""You shouldn't."He laughed quietly.Their drinks arrived, followed by the first course.The convers