The Heart Of The Empire

er best efforts to stay calm. Yesterday's meeting with Colton McAlister had left a deeper impression than she wanted to admit. She'd faced her sha

ject timeline and budgets. Colton himself wouldn't be there, Elise had mentioned, but D

laborative space where McAlister's architects, designers, and project managers worked. The hum of co

sses approached her, offering a warm smile. "I'm Aaron Miller, lead arch

riendly reception. She'd been worried that Colton's team might be s

ow where a few colleagues were already setting up a series of bl

members. She tried not to let it unnerve her; she knew that coming in as an external hir

quick smile and an efficient, no-nonsense manner, and Daniel, a y

. They discussed the vertical gardens, the smart lighting system, and the eco-friendly materials she'd proposed. To her relief, A

ized their initial discussion, "how

ted, smiling slightly. "He's... well, he's exactly as drive

ou won his approval, that means he sees some

ng the sharp scrutiny in Colton's gaze. "I

hind her ear. "Working for him is like constantly walking a tightrope. He ex

. She couldn't afford to make mistakes, not when every

maraderie with them. They were bright, passionate, and shared her commitment to the project's success. It was refreshing to wor

sfying ache from a day well spent. She hadn't even noticed the hours p

te but businesslike. "Mr. McAlister would li

roject; had she already done something wrong? Pushing down her anxiety, she no

y of the building. She could see Colton's influence everywhere-the meticulous design, the attention to detail, the uny

an opulent lobby that contrasted sharply with the rest of the building. Warm wood paneling, plush seating, and

d, leading her through glas

windows framed the skyline, and the evening light cast a soft glow across the room. Colton sat behind an expansive da

e," he said. "Th

e of tension settle over her. Colton's gaze was steady, calculating, an

uring to the chair i

poised, determined not to let her nerves show. "I wasn't expect

it wasn't quite a smile. "I lik

though her heart pounded.

t seemed to peel away any veneer she might have put up.

," Diana replied. "We've already started working

and Sarah are some of my best people. If th

him, but he spoke again,

It's meant to set a standard, to represent McAlister Corp. as a leader in inn

weight of his expectations settle over her l

is gaze directly. "I wouldn't have taken this proj

r of approval that was quickly masked. "Confidence is

imidation and fascination she felt in his pres

sessing her sincerity, then nodded. "Very well

e hadn't missed some critical d

ing to face challenges-some expected, others less so. I'm not interested in excuses, only solu

less like a professional mandate and more like a pact, so

," she replied, her voice st

ightly. There was something in his gaze that suggested he wa

quiet but firm. "Then I'

ing was over. As she turned t

is gaze sharpening. "Have di

tarily thrown off

orms your design perspective. I believe understanding yo

ounds of a typical client-consultant relationship, but she couldn't deny her curiosity about

d, trying to keep her t

I'll have my dri

her heart rate quick

her one last, lingering

d apprehension. She had no idea what to expect from a dinner with