Contract Negotiations
CHASE POV
I shove my hands deeper into the pockets of my coat as I follow Mr. Chen into Ava Reynolds' office.
It's barely seven in the morning.
Outside, winter has wrapped itself around the campus like a vice. Frost clings to the sidewalks and every breath leaves a cloud of white in the air.
Yet somehow, I'm still too hot.
The irritation simmering beneath my skin burns hotter than the cold can touch.
The office is surprisingly impressive.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the city. Awards line the shelves. Framed photographs cover the walls; Ava shaking hands with sponsors, posing beside production crews, smiling on red carpets.
A career built on stories. Or selling them, I haven't decided which.
Normally, I might've respected the hustle.
Today, all I can
