CHAPTER 4

Eleanor's composure, a built shield made from past betrayals threatened to crack. Alexander Sterling was here on the board of his foundation funding her project. It was unbelievable. Her mind was racing, a mix of duty and raw personal anger. This was more than a professional review; it was a personal attack.

A moment of silence passed, like a string. The other board members shifted, feeling the change in the room's atmosphere. Eleanor put on a forced smile, a mask. " Afternoon gentlemen " she started, her voice steady even though her hands were shaking. She deliberately avoided Alexander's gaze, focusing on the lead trustee instead. "My apologies for the delay. We are Vance Designs. We are excited to present our proposal for the 'Phoenix Rising' Urban Revitalization Project."

Alexander watched her every nerve on alert. She was stunning. Not in a glamorous way but with a smart intelligence that shone through her. The way she explained her vision, her passion for design and community integration was compelling. He saw the movement of her wrist as she pointed to detailed digital images, the confident sweep of her hand across the large blueprints. This wasn't the Eleanor he had discarded—the introspective woman who had loved him without condition. This was a professional, whose talent he couldn't deny, even as his personal demons raged.

He made himself examine her proposal with an analytical eye like he did with billion-dollar deals.. He found it was good. More than good it was innovative, thoughtful and financially sound. She had somehow managed to combine integrity with practical economic viability a feat few architects achieved. He felt an admiration fighting with the bitter realization that this brilliance had been there all along unnoticed, unappreciated by him.

"Thank you Ms. Vance " the lead trustee said, as Eleanor finished her presentation to applause. "An well-researched and inspiring proposal."

Then Alexander spoke. His voice, deep and resonant, cut through the remaining murmurs. "Ms. Vance " he began, his eyes finally locking onto hers. "Your firm has a reputation for custom projects. This is a -million dollar initiative, a significant leap in scale. How do you plan to manage the complexities and timelines that a project of this magnitude demands?"

Eleanor met his gaze, her jaw tight. "Mr. Sterling " she replied, her voice holding an edge that was barely noticeable to the other board members. "Our firm might be small. Our talent is not. We have expanded our team, established project management protocols and have several successful, albeit smaller urban development projects under our belt. Furthermore our focus on integrated community engagement, which many larger firms overlook, is precisely what will ensure the long-term success and social impact your foundation wants." She paused, a glint of defiance in her eyes. "We believe quality, Mr. Sterling, often trumps volume."

A beat. Alexander held her gaze, a flicker of something in his own. "A compelling argument " he conceded, the words feeling bitter. "Thank you for your presentation."

The meeting ended after. Alexander barely registered the presentations his mind fixed on Eleanor. As the board members left he intercepted her near the exit.

"Eleanor " he said, his voice private.

She flinched at the sound of her name from him turning slowly. "Alexander. I trust my presentation met your standards." Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

"Your work was exceptional " he admitted, grudgingly. "Which begs the question of why you didn't mention this project when I saw you yesterday."

"Oh did I forget?" she retorted, a humorless laugh escaping her. "Perhaps it slipped my mind given the personal nature of our last discussion." She took a step maintaining a professional distance. "Let me be clear Alexander. My professional life is entirely separate from our… personal entanglement. I will not have one jeopardize the other.. I will not have you use this project as leverage to gain access to Leo."

"Leverage?" Alexander scoffed. "I don't need leverage. I am his father."

"A title you've been entirely absent from for five years " she shot back her voice rising slightly. "Do you truly believe a review from your foundation—or even winning this project—will make me forget that? Make Leo forget that?"

Her words hit him hard. He felt an inexplicable urge to reach out to touch her to explain.. What could he explain? His past actions spoke louder than any words he could conjure now.

"I want to see him, " he said, cutting to the chase, his patience wearing thin. "I want to be a part of his life."

Eleanor's eyes narrowed. ". I told you you have rules to follow. Starting with earning my trust, which you just set back significantly by ambushing me " She looked around the bustling office now nearly empty. "This conversation is over. You will not corner me again Alexander. Not at my office, not at a board meeting."

She turned to leave. Alexander’s next words stopped her cold. "I looked up his birthday, Eleanor. Leo's birthday. It's a week. I want to celebrate it with him.. I expect to be invited."

Eleanor slowly turned her face pale, a mixture of shock and fury in her eyes. "You have no right, " she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "You have no right to that. He doesn't even know you."

"He will, " Alexander said, his voice hard, unyielding. ". Whether you invite me or not Eleanor, I will be there. I will see my son on his birthday."

Her breath hitched a silent sob catching in her throat. The thought of Alexander, the man who had torn her world apart appearing at Leo's birthday invading the sanctuary she had carefully built was unbearable. It felt like a violation. "You wouldn't " she breathed, her eyes wide, with disbelief. "You wouldn't dare."

Alexander met her gaze, his expression but a grim determination burned within his eyes. "Try me.”