rformer in this department. If you won't follow up on the case

a reply, she pivot

documents tightly,

, which meant he'd be in the meeting as well

ression. "Kaitlin, could you present instead? You've done this more than I have, an

could never match your brilliance. I wouldn't dream of stealing the spotlight from you. We simp

nother group, slipping into an easy conversatio

any, Natalie and Kaitlin h

with an air of superiority, while looking down on Natalie-the out

tence, and even looks, Kaitlin simply couldn't measure up. A

raise had clearly

on the documents and made her way to the con

me

im. Vera was perched comfortably on the armrest of his chair, holding a small d

the ease, the shared glances, the u

. It was something deeper, a conn

ready to shatter the s

, the files

osition, merely gesturing to

r. Bailey will

ther spoonful of mousse, offe

her hand, gently pushing it aside. The

ough," he

hem felt like a sharp sting,

er-to reject the unexpected

ly came here today to

open. Caleb Bailey strode in with an a

, Miss Dawson. Thank

econd, his expression stiffened. "Mr. Hughes

era remained casually perched on the arm of Connor's chair, unfaz

not particularly well-versed in these matters, so Connor was kind

grasped what was happening. His

to have Mr. Hughes offering hi

he tension beneath. "Miss Dawson, given how close you are to M