CLAMPED WITH ME FOREVER

el Julian's burden bearing down on him; there was a palpable tension in the air. Once a guy use

morning and how the dark circles beneath his eyes become more noticeable. The light that had previous

frame, he muttered, "Emily," in a strained

t race. With the shades closed, the room was filled with shadows.

annoyance. "I've been reviewing the figures once more. The financial reports ha

resolve growing. "I will

at all, to give Julian back control. I read over the reports cover to cover, my head buzzing with ideas. Th

a break, and it was Julian asking if I

onference room. Julian was there already, pacing back and forth, as I

d low as he whispered, "

With a racing p

as you can about her recent activities. With a determined expression in hi

nodded. "I'll get started right now.

s eyes briefly softening. "Without

wing several days were spent researching and staying up late. I went through all of Alexandra's company's documents, emails, and finan

, seemingly harmless amounts, but they were repeated repeatedly and connected to businesses that Alexandra was known to be

looked up, I saw him standing in the doorway with a worri

mething. There are transactions here that don't correspond with

expression serious

the knot in his jaw tighten as he skimmed the data. His voice was lo

need to confront her." "She can

e shook his head. I cannot jeopardize

d, "I'm not afraid." "Toget

d. She must not see us approaching. We scheduled a meeting with Alexandra for the next day at a discreet little café that is neutral in

voice brimming with pretense. "

all talk." "We are aware of your actions, and

she straightened herself. Oh, I see. And wh

ble. "We have proof that you have manipulated our fin

es, her eyes narrowing. Do you think I'll be intimidate

actly who we're dealing with." "And

ge. Do you believe you can intimidate me? My enterprise was constructed from the g

e're not going to give up. If necess

ld. Do you truly believe you can defeat me? You're not

ss integrity, something you lack. Though you may be

nsion between us crackled. I had a glimpse of hop

et's see how this plays out." "But trust me

for whatever came next. Our confrontation with Alexandra had immediate consequences. The corporat

t there. In an attempt to comfort him, I said, "We did wha

However, I'm concerned about the consequen

t us." "The truth is on our side. We can

he turned to face me. "You're accur

ampaign, disseminating false information and rumors about Julian and the business.

let her win," in a strong t

, "I'm trying." "However, it seem

. We have this in common. We'll f

"Okay, okay, okay. With an air of contempt, she replied, "Look who's still

g voice, Julian com

he answered with a menacing grin. "I ha

mean." With a beat

you. With a malicious grin in her eyes, Alexa

stern. "This will not

nd bounded out of the off

iver down my spine. "Julian, we must be p

et rid of the feeling that something significant was about to happen. I knew that our love would be put to the ultimate test in w

lief that love might triumph over