Beneath the boardroom lights

at resonating in my chest. Why was I so conscious of it

d to ge

Len

need to get

Len

ty, realizing I'd zoned

you o

Ye

ying to regai

makes one of

s. I prided myself on being strong, not easily swayed by charm

began, his voice s

dine with your

alter, I locked eye

enu offers somet

it surprise?-flickered across his f

e: the tension between us was mutual. H

I don't d

daring thought ra

tem quickly, get it over with and let it g

business with pleasure was a recipe for disaste

m, I craved sex-No scra

order-a gourmet turkey club sandwich with a crisp side salad and an iced tea-while his eyes remained fixed on me. The inte

arding the merg

I countered, keeping my tone firm. "LGE has secure

his tone edged with

ease in revenue. I suspect you'

iordano, this isn't solely about numbers-it's about our legacy. My father

d his eyes

ting my analysis

aintain composu

your confidence appears t

d at the corne

s legacy clouds your judgment. In today's market, se

face grew. I forced myself to relax and bre

your cold calculations are bankrupt-and that'

es flashed with irrit

d," he said, his voice now stripped of its e

r. I'm just not hungry anymore."

ut?" Mr. Giordano watched me-a mix of con

I can do to make th

ll smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I need to

the ambient sounds of the restaurant fading into the back

**

soothe the simmering anger inside me. His words-"sentimental"-rev

into the professional I am today. I'd walked endless corridors, fought through boardroom battles, and proved time and again that my decisions were backed by hard-earned

f my phone. The unexpected ring jolted me back to reality. Ki

o is on the line. Shou

elf with a deep, steadying breath. Then,

ase put hi

p breath as I answered, bracing myself.

n't take my call after how things

help but

Giord

ease, cal

ently but firmly.

r-I never intend to leave things on a sour note." His tone w

ze too. I lost my temper, and

you," h

at Le Bernardin? We can start at 7 p.m. -I promise a more

an elegant Manhattan restaurant, its chandeliers casting a soft

nner at 7 p.m. at L

of relief in his voice. "I'm

and cautious hope swirling inside me, as I pr