d been caught openly admiring. He was even more striking in the daylight spilling through the office's tall w

he chair, his voice rich with am

ten all over her face, but before she could stammer out a re

e said, wa

know one another?" William just nod without further elaborating how

, who stood by the window, his arms crossed and a stern expre

ed, stepping inside. "I was in the

C. Leonhart, your new manager. Since you're one of the most familiar with

en does in-person tours anymore when you can just open your company laptop and do it virtually? What is

e virtually, Mr. Leonhart has insisted on seeing everything in person. Make sure

ering to William, who was watching

ne softening slightly, "I trust y

plied quickly, forc

step. His tall frame and effortless confidence filled the hallway,

his tone casual yet deliberate, "how

lied, keeping her ton

astures yet?" His smirk was faint but unmistakable, the kind

a small smile. "I gue

rm laugh unexpectedly ea

tocols, and the public relations department responsible for managing client inquiries and events. William listened

te her earlier misgivings. She introduced him to several colleagues in the sa

esturing toward the team. "They handle client ac

lly. "And how do they co

s and use a shared D365 system for

g deeper into workflows and processes, reveal

inance, research and development, and HR. At every stop, William engaged with employees, his

ecutive floor, Emma was feeling

oning to the sleek glass offices. "Here, we have m

e?" William asked, a te

elf. "I'm not exactly cor

atch. "It's noon already," she said. "Wou

liam replied, his smile as

the air. Emma grabbed a tray, acutely aware of the curious stares directed their wa

ghts churned. She couldn't shake the questions bubbling under the surface. How was it his first day when, just th

the supposed reason no internal promotions had been made to replace the recently resigned manager. And yet, here

bly explain the familiarity in his tone or the glint of recognition in his eyes. Was this a coincidenc

ver, plucked a piece of broccoli off Em

es," he said casually, chewing

. And since when did he know her food preferences? Her mind raced, trying to piece

"What made you join our company? I thought

. He appeared to consider her question for a moment before

oice smooth and deliberate. His gaz

er heart skipping in a w

e has a lot of potential." His gaze lingered on her as he added emphasizing the word potenti

s spiraled. Who the hell is this guy? she wondered. But she couldn't ask that-not with him being a m

the awkward silence. She vaguely remembered talking about the monotony of her job-how it was both mind-numbing and en

fhand comment about hating broccoli, too. Th

n the air unsettled her. Emma couldn't help but feel like ther

t keeps you here? Aside from t

ary here was leagues ahead of what her friends earned at other companies. Instea

she said, meeting his gaze steadily. "It's rew

eight of her carefully omitted tru

very demure." William chuck

shake the feeling that there was something beneath Willi

ce, William turned to Emma with a

our, Emma. You've

that HR probably teaches. "Anything to help you survive day

Emma was turning away William suddenly pulled her and whispered into her ears. "I wi

ce, radiating enough sex appeal and confidence to power the entire building. She couldn't shake the feeling that