I made my way back to my desk, arms straining under the weight of the folders. As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Heather Bell, who was carrying a steaming cup of coffee.
“Sorry!” I exclaimed, stepping back just in time.
Heather’s eyes immediately zeroed in on the stack of folders in my arms. Her expression shifted subtly–a flash of what looked like jealousy before she composed herself.
Once seated, I began sifting through the materials. My eyes widened as I realized what I was looking at–these weren’t just any project files, but detailed records of Leo’s personal achievements. This was practically a goldmine.
I was so absorbed in my reading that I almost missed my phone vibrating. James’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hello?” I answered quietly.
“Mrs. Stark, James’s voice came through. “It’s James.”
I glanced around quickly. “James, do you need something?”
“Could you possibly step outside? I’m right outside.”
I slipped out to the hallway where James was waiting, holding a paper bag that smelled deliciously of fresh pastries.
“Mrs. Stark, Mr. Stark asked me to bring you breakfast.” He held out the bag with a formal little bow.
I shook my head. “James, I’ve told you to call me Summer at work. And there are rules against eating at our desks. You should take this back.”
James’s expression crumpled into one of genuine distress. “Miss Taylor, you’re putting me in an impossible position. Mr. Stark specifically ordered me to buy you breakfast. He even threatened my bonus. Could you please…”
“Stop!” I held up a hand, a headache already forming. “Look, if I take that breakfast in there now, Director Schmidt will definitely see it. Then I’ll be in trouble on my second day.”
“What should we do, then?” He looked genuinely torn.
“You eat it,” I said decisively, already turning to leave. “I need to get back to work!”
Back at my desk, I had barely settled in when Heather sidled up with an expression of barely contained curiosity.
“So, Summer, she began, leaning in conspiratorially, “what’s really going on between you and James? Are you two dating?”
I raised an eyebrow. “No.”
Come on,” she pressed. “You can tell me. Why else would he personally escort you on your first day and then bring you breakfast today? lames must be your boyfriend, right?”
I kept my expression neutral. “We’re not dating. We’re just relatives. My family knows he works at Stark Group and asked him to look out for me. But I got this job on my own merits.”
Heather’s eyes narrowed skeptically. “Is that so?”
‘Don’t you two have work to do?” Leo’s voice made us both jump. He stood a few feet away, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
Chapter 163
“Get back to your desks. Now.
The rest of the day passed in a productive blur. I found myself genuinely impressed with Stark Group’s work environment- everything ran with precision and purpose, a stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere at Fortune Corp. By the end of the day, I had carefully packed up Leo’s materials to take home for further study.
As I was preparing to leave, my phone rang. Brandon.
“Done for the day?” he asked when I picked up.
“Mmm–hmm,” I confirmed, already smiling at the sound of his voice!
“Let’s meet in the parking garage. We’ll go out for dinner and catch a movie afterward.”
My mood immediately brightened. “Sounds perfect! I’ll head down now.”
As I ended the call, I noticed Heather passing by my desk. She’d clearly overheard my side of the conversation, and the change in my tone hadn’t escaped her notice.
“Boyfriend?” she asked, eyebrows raised suggestively.
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