mahogany doors of the exec
had fought to protect-close to her chest. The air conditionin
face a mask of corporate intensity. Sitting directly to his right, in the seat usually
ina stood up and connected he
t sketches she had poured her soul into were overlaid with gaudy colors and erratic structural changes. Seraphina
s-intact, unharmed-and then back at the screen. The theft was complete. Her work
ented the flawed designs. When she reached the budget slide
d uncomfortably in their leather
lammed her hand down on the mi
eked through the speakers, cut
. She stared dire
ated, her voice ringing with authority. "That will completely destroy the luxury positio
of eyes darted between Eleonora and Seraphi
th tears. She turned her head, looking
rying to save the compa
pen onto the table. The sharp cl
nto Eleonora. His stare was dark, oppressiv
his voice echoing off the walls. "I support
ct Seraphina's fragile ego. Then he added, in a tone that made her skin crawl: "If we have to sacrifice a little
ion-dollar brand like a playground-shattered the
eonora, "as a senior member of the team, I expect you
ation. A direct order
quickly filed out of the room, eag
hooting her a triumphant, mocking
the executive corridor, heading straight for the CEO's corner o
M. Graves, stood up quickly, h
he physically stepped back. She shoved th
g his phone to his ear. He spun around at the loud crash of
s massive desk and slammed her
xploding out of her chest. "You are treating a billion-dolla
ace darkening with fury. He walked
ngerously low. "Seraphina is learning. If we lose a
work and destroying my career? She photographed my sketchbook this morn
d grabbed Eleonora's chin, his large fingers digging painfu
d through his teeth. "I told you she is frag
he love she once felt for him was entirely
ng her chin out of his grip. She stumbled
a deadly, icy whisper. "If I tolerate her any longer
. His pupils dilated in shock. He took a step back, stun
ng his hand to reach for h
sh. She turned her back on h
d on the brass doorknob.
y," Eleonora said coldly, "you can
lked out. She slammed the door
through the office, ra
t his right hand-the hand that had just grabbed her chin. A sudden, terrifying w
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