James arrived at the office carrying two coffees and a vague sense of apprehension. The revised creative presentation was scheduled for nine o'clock, and despite Victoria's late-night approval, he couldn't shake the feeling that she might have changed her mind overnight. That had happened before—Victoria's mercurial nature meant yesterday's brilliant solution could become today's catastrophic failure with no warning.
The elevator doors opened onto Sharp Innovations' executive floor, where he found Marcus pacing nervously outside the conference room.
"Please tell me you've worked a miracle," Marcus said, eyeing the coffee in James's hand. "Is one of those for me? I've been up since five having stress dreams about Ms. Sharp dismembering my career with verbal precision."
James handed him the extra coffee. "This should help. And yes, I rebuilt the presentation."
Marcus took a grateful sip. "You're a saint. How bad was the damage?"
"Complete overhaul. New color scheme, different font, restructured flow."
"So basically nothing I did survived."
"The core concept is still there," James offered diplomatically. "Ms. Sharp actually thought it was strong, just... poorly executed."
Marcus snorted. "If she thought it was strong, she wouldn't have walked out three slides in."
"She was in a mood yesterday."
"When is she not in a mood?" Marcus glanced at his watch. "Twenty minutes until the execution. Any pro tips for avoiding her wrath this time?"
James pulled out his tablet. "Let me run the presentation. She's less likely to interrupt me."
"Hiding behind her favorite pet. Smart."
James bristled at the characterization but said nothing.
The creative team filtered in, their faces bearing the haunted look of people preparing to face a firing squad. James had just connected his tablet to the presentation system when conversations abruptly died, signaling Victoria's arrival.
She strode in wearing a tailored navy suit that made her eyes seem impossibly blue, her hair styled in a sleek chignon that emphasized her cheekbones. As always, she was perfectly put together, not a hint that she'd been working past eleven the night before.
"Good morning," she said crisply, taking her seat at the head of the table. "Let's not waste time. I have a meeting at ten."
James began the presentation, navigating through the slides they'd rebuilt together. Victoria watched with her usual inscrutable expression, occasionally making notes on her tablet. The creative team grew increasingly tense with each passing slide, waiting for the inevitable criticism.
But when James finished, Victoria simply nodded and said, "Much better. The restructuring works. Marcus, make sure the final deliverables follow this exact format."
Marcus blinked in surprise. "Yes, of course."
"Good. Any questions?" Victoria scanned the room, her gaze daring anyone to speak. When no one did, she stood. "Then let's move on with our day."
As the team filed out, visibly relieved, Victoria beckoned James to stay behind. Once they were alone, she adjusted the cuff of her sleeve and said, "That went well."
"The changes we made last night really strengthened the concept."
Victoria's lips curved slightly. "Yes, they did." She smoothed an invisible wrinkle from her jacket. "I have that meeting with the Davenport Group at ten. Prepare the market analysis for me to review beforehand."
"Already on your desk."
She looked momentarily surprised, then nodded. "Good. And James? The lip balm you returned last night—do you have any idea where I left the cap?"
James frowned. "It was on when I gave it to you."
"Well, it's not now. And it's a $75 lip balm."
The implication that he was somehow responsible for this minor inconvenience was typical Victoria—needing to establish the hierarchy even after their moment of connection the night before.
"I'll order a replacement," he said neutrally.
"Do that." She turned toward the door, then paused. "Oh, and the Nexus Technologies meeting has been moved to tomorrow. Chad Winters is flying in himself instead of sending his team."
James looked up sharply. "Chad Winters is coming here?"
Victoria's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "Apparently he feels this partnership warrants his personal attention." She examined her manicure. "Make sure the proposal decks are flawless. Winters is known for his... attention to detail."
What she didn't say, but what James knew all too well, was that Chad Winters was Victoria's most formidable rival in the tech marketing world. His company, Nexus Technologies, had been competing with Sharp Innovations for clients and talent for years. The fact that they were now discussing a potential partnership was nothing short of shocking.
"Is this partnership your idea or his?" James asked carefully.
Victoria's eyes narrowed. "Does it matter?"
"It might affect how we prepare."
She considered this, then said, "Winters approached us. He claims there's a major client we could land together that neither of us could secure alone."
"And you believe him?"
"I believe in verifying before trusting." Victoria checked her reflection in the glass wall of the conference room, adjusting a strand of hair with practiced precision. "Schedule dinner for tomorrow night. Somewhere impressive but not ostentatious. Winters has a distaste for obvious displays of wealth despite being obscenely rich himself."
"The Barrington?"
"Perfect. Eight o'clock." She turned back to him. "And James? I want you there. Winters is bringing his new Chief Strategy Officer. I need someone taking notes on their dynamic."
"Of course."
Victoria gave a satisfied nod and left, the subtle scent of her perfume lingering behind her.
James spent the rest of the morning preparing briefing materials on Nexus Technologies and Chad Winters himself. By lunchtime, he knew more about Winters than was probably necessary—Business School MBA, former Olympic rowing alternate, divorced twice, no children, known for his philanthropic work with urban education initiatives. His company had a reputation for aggressive but ethical business practices, and Winters himself was frequently described in industry profiles as "charismatic," "brilliant," and "intimidatingly handsome."
The last descriptor was confirmed the next day when Winters arrived for the meeting fifteen minutes early, catching James off-guard.
"You must be James Mitchell," Winters said, extending a hand. "Victoria's right-hand man."
He was tall—taller than Victoria even in her highest heels—with the kind of effortless good looks that come from good genes and expensive habits. His handshake was firm, his smile genuine, and James found himself instantly disliking him on principle.
"Mr. Winters. We weren't expecting you until two."
"Chad, please." His smile widened, creating appealing crinkles around his eyes. "I'm a firm believer in the strategic advantage of punctuality. Is Victoria available?"
"She's finishing another meeting. Let me show you to the conference room."
James led Winters through the office, acutely aware of the heads turning as they passed. Winters had that effect—the kind of presence that demanded attention without seeming to seek it.
"Beautiful space," Winters commented, taking in the sleek design of the Sharp Innovations office. "Victoria's aesthetic touch is evident. She always did have impeccable taste."
The familiarity in his tone suggested a history James wasn't aware of. "Have you and Ms. Sharp worked together before?"
Winters chuckled. "Worked against each other, more often. But yes, we go back. We were at business school around the same time, though I was a few years ahead." He stopped to admire a piece of modern art on the wall. "She's done remarkable things here. Always knew she would."