Jason's Pov

I didn't mean to touch her.

My instincts kicked in when I saw her stumble backward. That's what any decent man would do, right? Catch someone before they fall.

But when she looked up at me, something shifted.

Those eyes. She always looked at me like that. Like I owed her something. Like she knew me.

And for some reason, it unraveled me. Made me... nervous.

What the hell?

My grip loosened before I realized it. Then came the thud.

She hit the ground, glaring up at me with that same accusing stare.

A part of me wanted to apologize, but something about her was off. Like she knew more than she should.

A soft laugh broke the tension.

Jessica appeared beside me, resting her hand on my shoulder. "Jason—"

"Not now," I cut her off, shrugging her hand away.

My eyes stayed on Claire. She muttered something under her breath, brushing off her clothes as she stood.

"Miss Hart."

She froze but didn't look at me.

"The board meeting is in an hour," I said evenly. "Have the files ready and meet me in the conference room. Don't be late."

Her face flickered toward mine. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but I turned and walked away before she could.

Jessica's heels clicked behind me. "Jason, wait—"

"I said not now."

By the time I reached the elevator, a message blinked on my phone screen.

Everything's in place.

I typed back: Good. Make sure it's ready by tonight.

The elevator doors closed, and I leaned against the mirrored wall, staring at my reflection.

Mr. Wakefield thought he was untouchable. Thought his precious company was safe. He had no idea what was coming.

I smiled.

Let's see how prepared he is for the gift I'm about to give him.

The boardroom buzzed when I walked in. Executives in pressed suits, steaming coffee, the usual performance of ambition and greed.

I took my seat at the head of the table, setting my phone face-down.

Mr. Wakefield sat three chairs down, smiling that easy, confident smile. Like he owned the room. Like he owned everything.

He had no idea.

Then the door opened.

Claire Hart stepped in, notebook in hand, and took her seat in the corner. Her head stayed down as she flipped it open.

I looked away.

"Gentlemen," I began, turning on the presentation. "Let's begin."

The meeting dragged. Revenue projections. Market expansions. Empty words dressed as strategy.

But my mind wasn't in the room.

It kept drifting toward her.

Claire sat in the corner, taking notes. Her brow furrowed in concentration. She looked... focused. Professional.

But something was off.

Her eyes kept darting around the room. Not just taking notes. Searching. Like she was looking for something that wasn't on the slides or in the reports.

Then her gaze landed on me.

Our eyes met.

She didn't look away. Just stared at me with this intensity that made my chest tighten.

I cleared my throat. "Any questions?"

Wakefield leaned back, fingers steepled. "I think we're on solid ground, Jason. As always."

I smiled thinly. "Good. Let's keep it that way."

But my mind wasn't on his words. It was still on her.

Why here? Out of every company in the city, why did she choose mine?

When the meeting ended, people filed out with their rehearsed small talk and firm handshakes.

I stayed in my seat, watching Claire gather her things. She moved quickly, like she couldn't wait to leave.

Our eyes met again. Brief. Unreadable.

Then she was gone.

I grabbed my jacket and left.

Outside, rain poured in sheets.

Jessica was waiting under an umbrella, wearing that practiced smile. "I thought you might need this."

I looked at her. Really looked at her.

Beautiful. Perfect. Calculated.

And I felt nothing.

I took the umbrella without meeting her eyes and walked past her toward my car.

I was about to drive off when I saw Claire standing at the bus stop.

The rain didn't look like it would stop anytime soon, and I could see her rubbing her palms together.

She must be freezing.

But that's none of my business.