Chapter 203
Chapter 208
Madison
“Well,” Sophia broke the tension, “that was a ringing endorsement p>
“Does he always just appear like that?” Ryan asked. “Like some kind of corporate Batman?” 1
I couldn’t help laughing. “Pretty much p>
The mood lightened again as everyone returned to their conversations. I moved around the room, speaking briefly with each team member, getting a sense of their personalities beyond their professional roles.
Olivia pulled me aside near the pastry table. “Fair warning: Victor Harmon is going to test you at every turn. He thinks he should be running this project p>
“Thanks for the heads–up.” I selected a chocolate croissant. “Any other office politics I should know about p>
“Rachel and Joseph dated briefly last year. It ended badly. Try not to put them on the same task forces if you can help it p>
I raised an eyebrow. “Noted p>
“And Lucas talks tough, but he’s actually got the best contacts in construction. Keep him happy p>
“You’re a wealth of information p>
She shrugged. “I’ve been through five projects with this company. You learn who’s who pretty quickly p>
Our conversation was interrupted when Thomas approached with a small gift bag.
“From the team,” he explained, handing it to me. “Just a little something to mark the occasion p>
I accepted it with surprise. “Thank you. Should I open it now p>
“Of course!” Sophia encouraged.
I reached into the bag and pulled out a sleek leather planner with “M. Harper, Project Manager” embossed on the cover.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, genuinely touched.
“Open it,” Thomas urged.
Inside, each team member had written a short note of welcome or advice on different pages throughout the planner.
“We figured you might need some guidance along the way,” Ryan explained. “So, we each contributed our best tips p>
I flipped through, catching glimpses of their notes. “This is incredibly thoughtful. Thank you all p>
“Don’t thank us yet,” Lucas said with a smirk. “Wait until you’ve read my advice about dealing with city
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inspectors p>
The team laughed, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Maybe this wouldn’t be as difficult as I’d feared,
“Alright, team,” I said, closing the planner. “As much as I’m enjoying this, we should probably get to work. I’d like to meet with each of you individually today to discuss your roles and expectations p>
“Already taking charge,” Joseph observed. “Good sign p>
I smiled. “I’ll send out a schedule within the hour. For now, please feel free to make yourselves comfortable at any of the workstations. IT should have your logins ready p>
As the team dispersed to claim desks, Sophia lingered.
“You handled that well,” she said quietly. “They respect confidence p>
“I’m faking it till I make it,” I admitted in a whisper.
She laughed. “Aren’t we all? By the way, that navy dress is perfect. Professional but not stuffy p>
“Thank you. I p>
My phone buzzed with a text. I glanced down to see Alexander’s name.
Alexander: Files won’t retrieve themselves, Ms. Harper.
I suppressed a smile.
“Duty calls,” I told Sophia. “Mr. Knight needs me upstairs p>
“The man has impeccable timing,” she remarked. “He always seems to know exactly when to interrupt p>
“You have no idea,” I muttered, heading for the elevator.
As I rode up to the executive floor, I reflected on the events of the morning. The welcome had gone better than expected. The team seemed willing to give me a chance despite their initial reservations.
I stepped off the elevator and made my way to Alexander’s office, knocking lightly before entering.
He was at his desk, fingers flying over the keyboard with a rapidity that only came from years of experience and an unyielding drive for perfection. Without looking up, he gestured to a stack of folders on the edge of his desk.
I approached his desk, waiting for him to acknowledge me. After a moment, he glanced up, those piercing blue eyes meeting mine before returning to his screen.
“The files are right there, Ms. Harper. Help yourself p>
I picked up the stack, surprised by its weight. “Thank you, Mr. Knight p>
As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me. “You know, you could have sent someone from your team to collect these p>
I paused, facing him again. “I didn’t want to bother them. They’re still getting settled p>
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He leaned back in his chair, studying me. “Madison, you’re a project manager now. Delegation is part of the job. “His lips curved into a slight smirk. “Besides, I can’t have my girlfriend struggling with elevator rides up and down all day. It’s inefficient p>
“Girlfriend only in private, remember?” I reminded him, keeping my voice low despite the closed door.
“Of course. But the efficiency concern stands regardless of our arrangement.” He gestured to the files in my arms. “Next time, send someone else. Your time is valuable p>
I shifted the weight of the folders. “ I’ll do that next time. Actually, maybe I should have my own assistant.” I couldn’t help the teasing tone that crept into my voice. “Perhaps a male one? Someone tall, efficient, good with his hands p>
Alexander’s expression darkened instantly. “Absolutely not p>
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“Why not?” I pressed, enjoying his reaction more than I should. “You have a female assistant. It seems only fair.
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He stood, rounding his desk with deliberate steps, until he was directly in front of me. “Let me be clear, Ms. Harper. If you require an assistant, I will personally ensure it’s a woman. Preferably one over sixty with multiple grandchildren and terrible eyesight p>
I bit back a laugh. “That seems oddly specific p>
“I’m a specific man.” He took the files from my arms, placing them on the edge of his desk before turning back to me. “Complete this project on time, and we’ll discuss your assistant needs p>
“A female assistant,” I clarified.
“Did I stutter?” His eyes narrowed, but I caught the hint of amusement beneath his stern expression.
“No, Mr. Knight. You never stutter p>
“Good.” He reached out, adjusting the collar of my dress with unnecessary precision. His fingers brushed against my collarbone, sending a shiver down my spine. “Your team seems to be accepting you p>
“They’re warming up.” I felt myself relax slightly, surprised at how much the team’s acceptance meant to me.
Alexander moved closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. “Warming up isn’t enough, Madison. You need to earn their respect.” His voice dropped lower. “And that doesn’t happen with welcome parties and pastries p>
“I’m aware of that p>
“Are you?” He raised an eyebrow. “This project represents a multi–million–dollar investment. The team needs to know you can handle that responsibility p>
I straightened my spine. “I can handle it p>
“Prove it.” His eyes locked with mine. “Every decision you make, every deadline you set, every meeting you lead -they’ll be watching, evaluating, judging. Some are waiting for you to fail p>
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“That’s motivational p>
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’m not here to coddle you. Success in this industry isn’t handed out like participation trophies p>
“I don’t expect coddling,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite his proximity. “But I do expect the same chance anyone else would get p>
“You have that chance.” He stepped back, giving me space to breathe. “What you do with it is entirely up to you p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.