The door swung open and Chloe's breath stopped.
She stared at the man at the doorway and let herself breathe.
…..It was time.
Ethan Graves stepped into the room.
"Good morning, Miss Bennett," he said smoothly. "I'm Ethan Graves, lead negotiator for Cross Corp."
Chloe exhaled, forcing herself to nod.
"Good morning," she replied, her voice shaking.
Ethan gave her a curt nod. "Mr. Cross will be with you shortly."
She had spent so much time bracing herself for this meeting, for him, and yet, for some reason, her pulse hadn't settled.
Instead, a strange anticipation lingered.
The seconds stretched as they waited for Damien.
Then, finally, the door opened again. Chloe's pulse slowed, just slightly.
She put her hand on her chest, hoping to slow down her rapid breathing.
A presence fi
