Vanessa didn’t bother knocking before walking into Ross’s office, the click of her heels announcing her arrival before her voice did.

She knew that sound carried power, sharp, confident, impossible to ignore, and she let each step linger before she stopped beside his desk.

She learnt it all from watching Eliana.

“You know, Ross,” she said, tilting her head just so, her perfectly styled hair catching the light, “for someone who’s supposed to be preparing for the annual company ...