Knots Between Us

Chapter Thirteen

The conference room was buzzing with the team making last-minute adjustments. Emma, however, was distracted, her mind on Sebastian’s mysterious intervention—how he’d managed to get a personal stylist to bring her top selections and somehow know her size. She shook herself from the thought as Vance plopped down beside her.

“So, ready to play with the big boys?” he asked, his cocky smirk making her cringe.

“We’ll see,” she said sweetly, forcing a polite smile.

The door opened, and the room fell silent. Andrea and Sebastian entered, followed by the Sao Paulo representatives. Everyone took their seats, except Sebastian, whose gaze remained fixed on Emma. Her breath caught at the intensity in his stormy gray eyes, tracing her from head to toe. Her hair, now in a high messy ponytail, lent her an almost ethereal air.

“Mr. Rask, sir?” Andrea’s soft voice broke the tension, and Sebastian cleared his throat, averting his gaze.

The sight frustrated Emma almost painfully; she wanted to demand an explanation for why a simple look from him caused her chest to flutter.

“Well, ladies and gentlemen,” Sebastian began, his voice commanding, “allow me to introduce Mr. Acosta and his team.” The reps nodded in acknowledgment.

“These are the people you need to impress tonight, not me or your fellow teammates. You’ve had weeks to meet all requirements.”

Emma couldn’t help but notice how his presence alone commanded the room—the poise, the authority, the subtle intensity in his tone.

Sebastian’s attention shifted to Vance. “Mr. Shelton, would you like to start?”

Vance launched into his PowerPoint with confidence, but Sebastian’s brow furrowed as he noticed the designs. They were familiar… too familiar. His gaze snapped to Emma.

Her work. Vance was presenting her designs as his own. She froze, seeing the reps’ focused attention, and Sebastian’s anger simmered visibly.

“...I can never win with you,” she muttered under her breath, the words echoing in Sebastian’s mind as he understood why she remained silent—Vance had her trapped.

A rep spoke up: “How tall will this building be?”

Vance puffed up, pride evident. “2,718 meters—taller than the Burj Khalifa!”

Sebastian’s glare cut through the room. “Mr. Shelton, do you know the tallest building in São Paulo?”

Vance hesitated, clearly caught off guard. “Uh… the Epic Tower? 191.5 meters?”

The reps exchanged skeptical looks. Sebastian’s sharp gaze landed on Emma.

“Ms. Rhodes?”

Emma’s head snapped up. “The Mirante do Vale, owned by Acosta Condominiums.”

Sebastian allowed a faint, crooked smile. The reps nodded approvingly.

“Mr. Shelton, how tall is the Mirante do Vale?”

Vance paled. “Uh… 170 meters,” Emma answered confidently.

“And why is it only 170 meters?” Sebastian pressed.

“Because the city’s natural elements, particularly strong winds, weaken the structural integrity if it’s taller,” Emma explained, her voice gaining strength.

Sebastian leaned in. “And now, knowing that, how will you ensure our building is safe?”

Vance stammered. “Uh… we’d comply with regulations?”

“Exactly,” Emma said, her confidence growing.

Sebastian strode over to Vance. “When you steal someone’s work, do your due diligence to avoid getting caught. I’ll find out how you lifted Emma’s designs.”

Vance’s face went pale. “Get… get out,” Sebastian snapped. Vance reached for his laptop, but Sebastian stopped him.

“This is ASR property, which you’re no longer part of. Andrea,” he gestured, “ensure he clears his office by the end of the meeting. And that he doesn’t steal again.”

Vance’s glare followed Emma as he left. Sebastian returned to his seat and locked eyes with her. She offered a hesitant, wavering smile.

“Ms. Rhodes,” he said, his voice steadier, “if you’d like a short break, take it. If not, present your work.”

“No, let’s continue,” Mr. Acosta replied.

Emma stood, nervously straightening her suit. Each slide she presented became stronger, her voice growing confident as she clarified mistakes and explained details. The reps leaned in, engaged, and impressed.

“Well, Mr. Rask,” Mr. Acosta said with a thick Brazilian accent, “you have an excellent team. But Ms. Rhodes brought something others didn’t—the concept of family. She considered not only the residents’ comfort but also honored my late father’s vision.”

Emma smiled, a mixture of relief and pride warming her chest.

“Well, Mr. Rask…” Mr. Acosta concluded, shaking his hand. “We’ll be in touch to sort out details with our team.”

The room emptied, leaving Emma quietly savoring the moment of vindication. Sebastian’s stormy gaze lingered on her, pride mingling with the intensity that made her pulse quicken.

Emma returned to her desk, still shaken from the meeting. Her hands hovered over the keyboard, but she couldn’t focus. She forced herself to take a deep breath and ignore the faint pull she still felt toward Sebastian.

A few minutes later, he appeared at her desk. His expression was sharp, detached, his eyes scanning the papers in his hand. “Ms. Rhodes,” he said, voice clipped, “I need the lobby lighting schematic reviewed immediately. No mistakes.”

Emma met his gaze, steady. “It passed the last check, sir. Are you questioning my work?”

Sebastian’s gray eyes didn’t soften. He didn’t step closer, didn’t acknowledge her defiance. “I’m not questioning you. I’m instructing you. Double-check everything, even what appears correct. That is an order.”

Emma’s pulse quickened, a spark of defiance in her chest. “Then I’ll make sure there’s nothing for you to check twice.”

He gave her a brief, calculating glance. “Good. That’s what I expect. Focus. Precise work. No distractions. Failure is not acceptable.” He turned sharply, already moving toward the door, making it clear the conversation was over.

“Sir…” Emma started, but he didn’t stop. His voice, cold and final, cut through the room. “Ms. Rhodes. I said no distractions. Concentrate.”

Emma exhaled slowly, a mix of frustration and admiration in her chest. His distance was absolute, professional to the point of icy. Even as he left, she felt the weight of his control—his authority, his unyielding standards. And she realized she was drawn to it, even as he made it painfully clear he was untouchable.