THE GLASS OFFICE
788 Words
Chapter 6: The Glass Office
The Senior Prosecutor’s Office was a monolith of chrome, concrete, and tinted glass overlooking the city’s legal district. As Elowen walked through the glass double doors at Julian’s side, the morning chatter of paralegals and junior attorneys died down instantly.
She wore a sharp, tailored black blazer and matching trousers—professional, bulletproof, yet when Julian’s eyes had mapped out the outfit back at the estate, she knew he approved of how the sharp fabric hugged her frame.
"Good morning, Mr. Crowne," a senior clerk said, rushing forward with a stack of files, his eyes darting to Elowen with blatant curiosity. "We didn't expect you to bring on private staff so suddenly. Especially not..."
"Miss Vane is my new Executive Assistant," Julian interrupted, his voice dropping like an iron curtain. He didn't offer an explanation, and his tone made it clear that anyone asking for one would regret it. "She handles my private docket, my depositions, and all internal scheduling. Set up her credentials immediately."
"Right away, sir."
Julian led her past the rows of open cubicles to the corner suite. Her new desk sat directly outside his massive glass-walled office. It was sleek, minimalist, and separated from his space by a single pane of smart-glass that could switch from clear to opaque at the touch of a button.
"Your primary task for the morning is reviewing the asset liquidations for the mid-city shipping merger," Julian said, dropping a thick leather-bound folder onto her desk. He leaned over her slightly, one hand resting on the back of her chair, his signature scent of dark rain and espresso enveloping her senses. "I want a summary of the discrepancies by noon."
Elowen looked up, her fingers brushing against his as she took the file. "And if I find something you missed?"
Julian’s gray eyes darkened with a slow, dangerous amusement. "I don't miss things, Elowen. But if you manage to surprise me, perhaps I’ll consider it a credit toward your daily subscription fee."
He straightened up and walked into his office, leaving the glass completely transparent. Elowen took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart, and opened the file. For the next three hours, she buried herself in the numbers. Before her family’s downfall, she had been groomed to understand high-level corporate structures, and her sharp mind quickly picked up the rhythm of the work.
At exactly 11:30 AM, a shadow fell over her desk.
She looked up to see a tall, elegantly dressed woman with sharp features and a look of cold disdain. It was Victoria Vance, one of the city's top defense attorneys and a woman frequently rumored to be vying for Julian’s attention both inside and outside the courtroom.
"So, the rumors are true," Victoria said, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness as she crossed her arms. "The ruined Vane heiress has reduced herself to fetching coffee and scheduling meetings for the man who broke her family. How tragic."
Elowen’s grip tightened on her gold pen. Her pride screamed at her to snap back, to remind Victoria exactly who she was dealing with. But Julian’s warning from the night before echoed in her mind: You do not speak unless I authorize it. If you cannot maintain your silence, the deal is void.
She swallowed her rage, keeping her expression perfectly blank. "Mr. Crowne is currently preparing for a deposition. If you have an appointment, I can check the log."
Victoria laughed softly, a mocking sound. "I don't need a log, darling. Julian and I have an... open door policy." She stepped past Elowen’s desk, reaching for the handle to Julian's office.
Before her fingers could touch the metal, the smart-glass of Julian’s office instantly turned frosted and completely opaque, locking Victoria out visually and physically. A second later, the electronic lock clicked with a definitive, heavy snap.
Victoria froze, her face flushing with intense embarrassment.
The intercom on Elowen’s desk beeped. Julian's smooth, dark baritone filled the small space between them.
"Miss Vance," Julian’s voice carried a terrifyingly cold weight. "My assistant handles my entry. Since you do not have an appointment, leave my floor. If you attempt to bypass my staff again, I will have security revoke your building credentials permanently."
Victoria spun on her heel, glaring at Elowen with pure hatred before storming off toward the elevators.
Elowen sat in silence for a moment, her chest heaving. Before she could process what had just happened, her desk phone buzzed.
"Bring the shipping merger summary into my office, Elowen," Julian commanded through the line. "Now."
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