WYNE'S POV
The office was pristine, polished, and cold—just like I liked it. I stood by the large windows overlooking the city, adjusting the cufflinks on my shirt as I listened to Matilda run through the schedule.
“She’ll arrive at 9:30. You have a team meeting at 10, lunch with the investors at 1, and a one-on-one with her at 3 to discuss her role.”
I smiled faintly at that last part.
“Make sure she sits in the far seat during the meeting. Isolated.”
Matilda blinked.
“You want her separated from the team?”
“I want her to understand exactly where she stands.”
She hesitated, then nodded.
“Understood.”
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, I let the smile slip. My chest felt tight with anticipation—not nerves, not quite—but something heavier. Something sharper.
Let’s se
