Chapter 9

Lucas's POV

I'm standing in my new office at Harrington International Holdings, right in the heart of Manhattan. The floor-to-ceiling windows give me a clear view of the city's skyscrapers and buzzing streets. The space around me is sleek and gray-sharp lines, dark tones, top-tier furniture. It's my first official day here, and I'm supposed to settle in, but my mind's all over the place.

Miles, my assistant, steps in and hands me a neat stack of files. "Boss, we've got a high-level meeting in half an hour. The board wants you there. The chairman insists."

I nod, flipping through the pages without really focusing. "Alright. Anything else pressing before the meeting?"

Miles hesitates, tapping his finger on the edge of my desk. "I've got the profiles you asked for. The senior managers, their backgrounds, what they've been up to. Everything's in here," he says, pointing to the folder. "I've been here a month already, getting a feel for the place, and I think I've pieced together who's who."

I scan a few paragraphs. My brain's half plugged in. Something else is nagging at me. "Miles," I say quietly, "any word from StarRiver Group today?"

Miles's eyes flick up. "Yes, actually. Big news. Miss Serena Sinclair showed up at StarRiver this morning. Apparently, it was supposed to be Nina Sinclair's big day-her appointment as GM. Except Serena crashed the party."

My jaw tenses. Serena went straight into that den of vipers on her own. "And?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

"She completely blew it up." Miles lets out a nervous laugh. "Nina froze at the podium. Lawrence Sinclair lost it. People say Serena took back control-she told them all to leave if they didn't like it. She practically humiliated them." He glances at me carefully, like he's watching for a reaction. "Word is this might shake up the market. Everyone's talking."

I lean back, fingers tapping the desk. "Serena" I mumble under my breath. She sure as hell doesn't need me to hold her hand. She's handling things her own way, and from what Miles says, she's doing it with zero mercy.

Miles clears his throat. "Lucas, are you alright?"

I snap back. "I'm fine. Just thinking."

Miles studies my face. "Boss, you've never cared about anyone's drama before. You usually keep people at arm's length. But now you seem different." He pauses, then lowers his voice. "Need me to do something behind the scenes for Serena? Smooth things over somehow?"

I bite my lip, considering. Serena just turned StarRiver upside down on her own. She's strong. She doesn't need me to babysit her. "No," I say finally. "She can handle herself."

Miles nods. "Understood."

I pick up the phone and dial Serena's number. The line connects, and I hear her voice. But before I can say a word, she's shouting, "Whitmore, if you call again, I swear I'll make you regret it!" She's furious, venom in her tone. She thinks I'm Ian. I stay silent, letting her realize it's not who she thinks.

There's this awkward pause, then her voice drops a notch. "Who is it?"

I keep my voice calm. "It's me, Lucas."

A muffled curse, then she speaks again, softer. "Sorry, I didn't realize it was you. That outburst wasn't meant for you."

I almost smile. "So who was it meant for?"

She hesitates. "Lucas, you know exactly who. Don't play dumb."

I drum my fingers on the desk. "You need help with him?"

Her response is instant. "No, I don't. I'm good. Do you have a reason for calling?"

I reply in calm. "No reason. Just checking in."

Serena asks, "What are you trying to confirm?"

I reply with a hint of playfulness, "Just checking if the number you gave Milo is real."

She stays silent for a moment, then with a bit irritation says, "I'm not lying to them."

I find her response cute and, smiling slightly, say, "Dinner tonight to celebrate my first day at work."

She's clearly taken aback by the sudden invitation, pauses as if thinking it over, then politely responds, "Sorry, Lucas, I'm busy."

I don't give her a chance to argue. "Six o'clock. I'll pick you up."

"Lucas, I said-" I hang up before she can finish.

Seconds later, my phone buzzes. A text. I open it. "Lucas, I really can't tonight. Congrats on the new job though." Attached is a Starbucks e-gift card for twenty-five bucks. Cute. She's basically telling me to enjoy my coffee alone. I stare at the screen, amused, a grin tugging at my lips.

Miles steps closer. "What's going on?"

I show him the e-gift card. "What does it mean when a woman gives a man money? Even if it's just a coffee card?"

He blinks. "I, uh maybe she's trying to keep things friendly but distant? Like, 'here's something nice, now leave me alone'?"

I laughed even more happily.

A courteous knock resonated through the doorway. The secretary respectfully announced, "Mr. Harrington, Ian Whitemore, the General Manager of Whitemore Group, wants to see you. Should I let him in?"

I stiffen. "No."

"When would you like to meet him...?"

"I'm never available," I retorted coldly.

The secretary trembled. "I'll have Mr. Whitemore come back later."

I stayed silent. The secretary departed, clearly shaken.

"Wait," I suddenly interjected.

She swiftly turned back. "Tell him I'll be in a board meeting. Once it's over, I might have some time."

She nods, "Understood," hurries out.