A Detail That Didn't Belong

Dorian’s POV

By Friday evening, I'd cleared most of the week's urgent work and left a reminder to follow up on the proposal.

On Saturday, I met Callum for dinner at a private members' club in Manhattan. We'd planned to discuss a security review his team was conducting for Ashford Technologies.

That was what we did for the first ten minutes.

"You still haven't approved the additional testing," Callum said, setting down his glass.

"Because I haven't seen a breakdown that justifies the cost."

"You'll have it tonight."

"Then I'll review it tonight."

He gave me a knowing look. "You make everything sound like a board meeting."

"Someone has to keep you employed."

Callum laughed. "There he is."

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

We went through the proposed tests, discussed the additional time they would require, and agreed on what needed to be done. Once we'd settled the matter, Callum closed the folder he'd brought with him.

"So," he said casually, "have you decided how you're going to handle working with Bella?"

I set down my glass. "There's nothing to handle. She's been hired to do a job."

"And you'll let her do it?"

I looked at him.

He raised a hand. "I'm asking because I remember what the two of you were like at school. Neither of you was particularly good at letting the other have the last word."

"She was usually the one who insisted on having it."

"Funny. I remember you finding that rather entertaining."

"Your memory is unreliable."

"Only when it suits you."

I gave him a dry look, and he grinned before growing more thoughtful.

"All I'm saying is, don't underestimate her because you already think you know her."

"I don't."

"Good. Then there's nothing to worry about."

He picked up his glass, apparently satisfied.

I watched him for a moment. "You do realise this is the exact same thing you called me for on Friday right?"

"Yes. And you gave me a very polished answer."

"Would you prefer an unpolished one?"

"From you? I'd pay to hear it."

"Then keep your wallet ready."

He laughed, and the conversation moved on.

On Sunday, I caught up on work and prepared for the week ahead. By Monday morning, I had little patience for anything that threatened to delay it.

At seven fifty-five, Tessa knocked on my door.

"Arabella's here."

"Send her in, please."

A few seconds later, Bella stepped inside with a notebook tucked under her arm. She wore a dark blazer and carried herself with the same quiet confidence I remembered.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then she took the chair opposite my desk.

"Good morning, Mr. Ashford."

"Good morning."

Her gaze flicked towards the folder beside my laptop before returning to me. I followed the movement, then opened the folder.

"Before we begin, I have an assignment for you."

"On my first morning?" she asked. "How generous."

"Would you prefer to spend it organising my calendar?"

"That depends. Is your calendar as complicated as your personality?"

I held her gaze. She looked perfectly composed, but there was a faint suggestion of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

I opened the folder. "This is a confidential proposal we're reviewing. My team has gone through it, but there's a detail we haven't been able to verify. I want you to read the material and tell me if anything stands out."

She glanced at the folder. "You want me to review a business proposal?"

"I want you to read it. I'm not asking you to approve anything."

"Then why give it to me?"

"Because I want another perspective."

"From your new assistant."

"Would you prefer I gave it to someone who'd already decided the report was correct?"

Her expression shifted slightly. I couldn't tell whether I'd irritated her or earned a point.

"Fair enough," she said.

I slid the folder across the desk.

"If something doesn't make sense, ask me. Don't guess, and don't contact anyone about the contents without speaking to me first."

"Understood."

She opened the folder and began reading.

I expected her to ask questions about the assignment, perhaps challenge the decision to give her confidential material on her first morning. Instead, she turned the pages quietly, occasionally writing something in her notebook.

After a few minutes, she stopped at the heading on one of the supporting documents. Her eyes moved back to the page before she turned to the previous sheet.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"I'm reading."

"I can see that."

"Then why ask?"

I leaned back. "Curiosity."

"Try to keep it under control, Mr. Ashford."

I kept my expression neutral, though her answer came close to making me smile.

She returned to the documents, and I let her work.

"Is there a deadline?" she asked after a while.

"I'd like your initial observations before lunch. You don't need to solve the entire problem."

"That sounds suspiciously like advice from someone who expects me to try."

"Do you always argue with instructions?"

"Only when they're unnecessarily vague."

"Then I'll try to be more specific next time."

"That would be a refreshing change."

She lowered her eyes to the file again.

I had meetings waiting and a full day ahead. Whatever she'd find, I needed to give her room to work without hovering over her shoulder.

I stood and reached for my phone.

"Let Tessa know if you need anything," I said. "I'll be back before lunch."

Bella nodded without looking up.

I was almost at the door when she turned one page back. She picked up her pen, crossed out a note she'd just made, and wrote something beside the heading.

Then she looked at the two pages again, more slowly this time.

I stopped.

"Bella?"

She raised her eyes to mine.

"Can I ask you something about this document?"

I glanced at the folder.

"Of course."

She looked down at the page once more.

"Why does this section refer to a figure that isn't shown in the supporting document?"

For the first time that morning, I had no immediate answer.

And Bella hadn't even finished reading.