Chapter 3- THE VIPER'S NEST

The lobby of Sanders Tower didn't feel like an office. It felt like a place built to intimidate.

I walked across the marble floor, my heels clicking in the silence.

I kept my head up, my shoulders straight, and my face calm.

I wore the best clothes I had left, a black blazer over a crisp, high-collared shirt. They were all I had, and they would have to be enough.

I walked up to the security desk.

The receptionist barely looked up as her fingers moved across the screen in front of her.

When I stopped in front of her, she looked up and gave me a slow once-over. She didn't say a word, but the look on her face said enough.

She knew who I was, or maybe not me. Just the record attached to my name.

I looked right back at her. She wasn't getting the satisfaction of making me look away.

After a moment, the smile on her face faded. She reached under the counter and slid a security pass across the desk.

"Quincy Hale." There wasn't a hint of warmth in her voice.

"You're not reporting to HR today, Miss Hale. You've been cleared to go straight to the executive floor. Mr. Sanders is expecting you."

I picked up the pass.

"Understood."

I ignored the rush of nerves in my chest, turned, and headed for the private elevators.

The elevator doors slid open almost immediately.

A tall man in a dark suit was already waiting for me. His badge identified him as Marcus from Executive Security.

"Miss Hale." He stepped aside and motioned for me to get in. "This way."

"Thank you." I stepped inside without another word.

The executive floor was eerily quiet.

He knocked once, pushed the door open, and stepped aside.

"Mr. Sanders is expecting you."

I squared my shoulders and I walked in.

The office was enormous.

Kaelen Sanders sat behind his desk.

He didn't acknowledge me. He just kept reading the file on his desk until the door closed behind me.

I stayed where I was. If he wanted to keep me waiting, I could wait too.

When he finally raised his head, his gaze found mine.

Neither of us looked away; the silence stretched between us. He was used to people giving in; I wasn't one of them.

"Miss Hale," he said at last.

"Mr Sanders."

He leaned back in his chair and studied me for a moment.

"Your paperwork has been processed. We'll skip the usual introductions." He paused. "Around here, I expect one thing.......

"Results."

"Understood."

"Good." He gave a small nod.

"Marcus will show you to your desk and get you settled." "I expect your best."

"You will."

He offered a brief, dismissive nod. "That will be all for this morning."

I turned and walked to the door. Marcus was waiting on the other side.

The door closed behind me, but my mind was already racing.

Something about that meeting didn't make sense. A CEO didn't personally meet with someone like me for no reason.

I had no idea what he was planning. One thing was certain: I wasn't going to break.