Se connecterAnd that was the room's decision. What everyone had agreed to without agreeing to it. That Edward had returned and they would let him return and no one would say the thing that was plainly visible to anyone who had looked at him for more than thirty seconds. Because he was Edward Valentine and this
"Marketing's request is inflated," he said. "The ROI projections rely on best-case assumptions that won't hold this quarter. The operations upgrades are necessary, but the proposed timeline is unrealistic." His voice was controlled. Impeccably controlled. The kind of control that is a performance i
Alicia's POV I was late. Twelve minutes, according to my watch when I stepped off the elevator on sixty-four. The quarterly review had started at noon. It was twelve-twelve. I walked quickly, heels striking tile in a rhythm that felt too loud for the hush of the hallway, the kind that means ever
Edward's POV The car pulled into the underground garage at ten. I shouldn't have been here. I'd been awake since five. Dressed by six. Three hours in the study reviewing files I'd already reviewed twice. Waiting. The driver eased into park. Turned halfway in his seat. "Mr. Valentine. Do you ne
Alicia's POV The wellness room on sixty-five was empty when I walked in. Glass walls framed the city below. Morning light caught on building edges and turned them bright. This was Edward's floor. His office sat three doors down from where I stood now. I'd been avoiding it all week. Until I could
My pulse kicked. "What did you tell her?" "That you were following the doctor's orders. Resting." "What did she say?" "She said that was good." I waited. Nothing. "And?" "That was it, sir." I sat there. Phone pressed to my ear. Ribs aching. Shoulder throbbing, the full weight of what I'd ju







