4 NOAHShe wants me to woo her? Of all the scenarios I imagined—from the most likely, where Olivia rips up the contract, to the even crazier, where she actually signs it—this wasn’t one of them. She’s laid down her own stipulations, ensuring that I’ll have to work to win her over. Though I probably should have expected a curveball. This is Olivia Cane, after all. “If there are no further questions, I should get back to work,” Olivia says. When nobody responds, she turns and struts out of the conference room, her heels clicking across the floor. The door swings shut. “That was interesting,” I say under my breath. Fred stops beside me as I stand, trying to process what just happened. “It sounds like the ball’s in your court, son. But don’t worry. I know you can pull this off.” “Thanks.”

