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*Love No More*
Chapter 4: The Board Meeting
The 38th floor conference room felt like a courtroom.
Ten executives. One long black table. And at the head of it, Daniel Carter.
I stood behind his chair with a tablet and three backup pens, because _particular_ was an understatement.
"Miss Adams," he said without looking at me. "The Q3 projections."
"Here, sir."
I slid the tablet to him. My fingers brushed the edge of the table.
That’s when Victor Hale spoke.
Victor. 40s. Divorced. Known for buying interns coffee and calling it "mentoring."
He leaned forward and smiled at me. Too wide.
"Abigail, right? You’re new. You look tired. Working too hard for our cold-hearted boss?"
A few people chuckled.
My cheeks burned. "I’m fine, Mr. Hale. Thank you."
"Come on," he pressed. "Let me buy you lunch after this. You deserve better than black coffee and overtime."
The room went quiet.
Daniel didn’t move. Didn’t look up from the tablet. But the air in the room dropped 10 degrees.
"Mr. Hale," Daniel said. His voice was flat. Final.
"Are you done with the Southeast merger report? Or are you too busy offering my PA lunch?"
Victor blinked. "I was just being friendly, Daniel—"
"She’s not here to make friends."
Daniel finally looked up. And his eyes weren’t on Victor. They were on me.
Possessive. Sharp. Claiming.
"Abigail works for me. Her schedule is mine. Her time is mine."
A pause.
"If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with HR. Or with me."
No one breathed.
Victor cleared his throat and sank back in his chair. "Understood."
The rest of the meeting was a blur. Numbers. Charts. Decisions that moved millions.
But all I could hear was the echo of his words.
_Her time is mine._
When it ended, everyone filed out quickly. Except me.
Daniel stood and buttoned his jacket.
"Walk with me."
We rode the elevator down in silence. Floor 38. 37. 36.
"You didn’t have to do that," I said quietly.
"Do what?"
"Defend me."
The elevator dinged. Floor 20. Empty.
He turned to me. Tie perfect again. Mask back on.
"I wasn’t defending you, Abigail."
"Then what was it?"
His jaw ticked.
"It was a reminder."
"Of what?"
"That distractions in this company have consequences."
He stepped closer. Close enough that I could smell his cologne. Dark. Wood.
"And you, Miss Adams, are the biggest distraction I have right now."
My heart slammed against my ribs.
_No men. Ever again._
"Yes, sir," I whispered.
"Good."
He pressed the button. The doors opened on the lobby.
As he walked out, he added over his shoulder,
"And Abigail? Next time someone offers you lunch, you tell them you’re already booked."
Booked.
By him.
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Ready for Chapter 5: The Rain + The Car Ride 🔥 That’s where he finally cracks a little 👀 Please Like 😍 comment 😜 and share 😘 for more 💋
