The morning sun cut sharply through the floor-to-ceiling glass of Rachel’s office, but the view did nothing to ease the sudden tension tightening in her chest. She stood frozen by her mahogany desk, her hands shifting aside folders and tablets in an increasingly urgent search.
The investment proposal—the massive, comprehensive report she had spent weeks meticulously drafting—was completely gone.
She distinctly remembered leaving it right in the center of her desk the previous night. Today was supposed to be the day. Her entire plan hinged on driving over to the Gray Group to present it directly to Athan. If he looked over the figures and agreed to the partnership based on its sheer profitability, that would be ideal. But Athan Gray was notoriously unpredictable. If he chose to be difficu
