Yield

Chapter 3

Zaria watched as Laurette strode back and forth in the office. "That Rhodes guy is genuinely pissing me off. He's acting like he's cracked the riddle to unlock a treasure box or some shit."

"Just keep doing whatever you're doing. I feel like it's working. " Zaria answered, making her way towards Laurette and rubbing her back.

"Look, you're stressed right now and I'll help you out," Zaria took the folder containing a new product concept from her, "I'll give this to Jamila, you just worry about the rest. "

"You're a life saver, babes." Laurette smiled, giving Zaria a hug.

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Laurette hadn't planned to go.

The Calder & Knox event was beneath her. She never went to any gathering that didn't benefit Élan Noir in any way. It was just one of those minor corporations where underlings tried to feel special. That was why she dismissed it. But when she saw the updated guest list this morning, she changed her mind.

At the top of the list was Rhodes Sterling as the keynote speaker.

He was already fast, showing up in the lower-tier events to gain more support for Whitmore International. Charming the cameras and putting his face and name in the spotlight.

That was supposed to be her move. He was stealing it - and she wasn't going to let that slide.

It wasn't about Calder & Knox. Not even the speech.

It was about Rhodes thinking he could replace her, taking her spotlight to his name.

So when she arrived in a dress to shut anyone up, she went to prove her point that Élan Noir doesn't get pushed aside.

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Rhodes Sterling was the one to notice her before anyone.

He was already on the stage making his speech. His sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His muscles flexed as he moved his arm.

Then he paused.

Staring directly at her, his mouth flickered mid-word.

Laurette smiled - slow, deliberate, and teasing. Everything was going smoothly, just like she planned.

He recovered— just not fast enough.

Everyone already noticed it, turning around to see the reason he stopped speaking.

The room quietened as she entered. Not the kind of silence given when an awkward guest makes an entrance, but the kind of one given when someone threatening and powerful arrives.

All chatters quietened. Heads turned. Cameras clicked.

Laurette Raine didn't do small events.

That was why her entrance carried weight.

She wore a crimson dress- sharp, commanding and impossible to ignore. The slit high enough to offend someone's grandmother.

Not to impress. To intimidate.

Her heels were sending out a message to anyone near.

Eyes followed her as she strode to the front row, each step deliberate, each glance a warning. His stance and expression changed to something more subtle.

He cleared his throat, averting his gaze from hers and back to the audience. "And with Whitmore International, we believe collaboration will be our future." He ended his speech, and claps followed.

Laurette didn't clap, and he noticed that.

After that, mingling started.

She made her way towards him, and he waited. He always did.

"Laurette," he started, watching her. "Yes, Rhodes?" She said, smiling with feigned innocence.

"Did you come here to make a point?" He asked, already knowing the answer. "Bingo," She said. "I didn't know I had to. Until I saw your name at the top of the list."

"And that threatens you?"

"No. But an overconfident man without a leash is bad for business. "

Rhodes moved closer. Not close enough to touch her- he wasn't going to make that mistake again. "What if I like being without a leash?"

"Then I'll have to break your legs. Problem solved." Laurette answered, taking a sip of the wine she took from the passing tray.

A couple walked past them, eyes lingering. They looked good together. Dangerous, intimidating, unmissable.

"Am I supposed to be scared?"

Rhodes questioned, letting out a genuine laugh.

Laurette smiled, nodding her head. "You should be."

Rhodes looked downwards and back up. "How do you expect me to feel scared when you're wearing something like that?"

"Maybe I don't want you to be scared, I might just want you to stare."

"Mission accomplished," he murmured as she brushed past him. Deliberately letting her shoulder brush his.