ARIA If tension had a smell, it would’ve been thick as cigar smoke in that boardroom. Rowan’s tantrum had barely settled when one of the older men shot up from his seat like the chair had bit him. He had silver hair, deep jowls, and a forehead vein already pulsing with indignation. “If we’re quite finished with this circus,” he snapped, “some of us have real work to do.” I tilted my head, my fingers laced lightly in front of me. “And you are?” The man blinked. “What?” “Your name,” I repeated, voice sweet but not soft. “Forgive me, we’ve never met. I like to know the names of the people I’ll be working with.” His lips curled like I’d asked to borrow his pension. Then, he slammed a fist against the polished table. “This boardroom is not a playground, Miss Stanton!” I didn’t even flinch. I was too far gone to stop. They would either bend for me, or they would break. “That’s a relief,” I said, nodding solemnly. “First that you know who I am, and second because I didn’t come
Last Updated : 2025-08-03 Read more