Monday morning...
Blackwood Corporation was busier than usual.
News of Project Phoenix's success had spread quickly.
New investors.
New partnerships.
New opportunities.
For everyone else...
It was a reason to celebrate.
For Emma...
It only meant more work.
She was leaving the finance department with a stack of reports...
When she saw them.
At the end of the hallway...
Adrian.
And Victoria.
They were standing near the executive elevators.
Victoria handed him a folder.
"I've reviewed the proposal."
Adrian smiled.
"Thank you."
Then...
Victoria reached up and gently straightened his tie.
It was a simple gesture.
Natural.
Comfortable.
As if she'd done it countless times before.
Emma stopped walking.
Something tightened painfully inside her chest.
Before she could thi
