Clara’s POV
I sit across from Denise in a small, windowless HR office, spine straight, hands folded, refusing to give her the reaction she’s clearly expecting.
The room smells like stale coffee and printer toner, a single fluorescent light humming overhead. Denise types something into her laptop before she even looks up at me, unhurried, clearly enjoying whatever authority this meeting hands her.
“There have been some concerns raised,” Denise says, consulting a printed page in front of her, “regarding the appropriateness of your relationship with Mr. Cole, given his current engagement.”
“My relationship with Mr. Cole is professional.” I keep my voice level, calm, betraying nothing of the anger simmering just underneath. “I’m his executive secretary. I’ve held that position for six year
