Chapter <b>172 </b>
Reba’s POV
I instinctively stepped back, putting my desk between us as memories of that terrifying moment shed through my mind–Elizabeth’s enraged face, the <b>sudden </b>shove, the sickening sensation of falling, and then darkness. It had been after that incident that Dominic had publicly exposed her actions at the charity g, ying security footage for the entire pack to see, effectively ending any business rtionship between Sterling Group and Collins Group.
“Good morning.” Elizabeth <b>said </b><b>coolly</b>, her gaze sweeping over the office before settling on me with undisguised <b>hatred</b>. “I need to see Dominic Sterling. Immediately.”
Vivian straightened, her professional demeanor Instantly tinged with wariness. “Ms. Collins, Mr. Sterling is in a conference call this morning and doesn’t have any appointments scheduled. Especially not with Collins Group representatives.”
The implied message was clear–Elizabeth wasn’t wee here after what she’d done.
Elizabeth’s perfectly manicured fingers tightened on her designer handbag. “This isn’t a scheduled meeting, but he’ll <b>want </b>to see me. It’s regarding <b>our </bpanies‘ future rtions. Her eyes narrowed as they focused on me. “I see you’ve recovered nicely, Reba. Though I must say, you <b>look </b>a bit… peaky. Still having headaches from your tumble<b>?</b>”
little
Her words wereced with <b>false </b>concern, but her eyes gleamed with malice<b>. </b>My hand instinctively went to my stomach in a protective gesture before I caught myself.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the sudden racing of my heart. “And as Vivian mentioned, Mr. Sterling isn’t <b>avable</b>. Perhaps you should <b>have </b>called ahead.”
“Oh, I’m sure he
spare a few minutes for <b>an </b>old family friend,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
After all, our have <b>been </b>connected for generations. Unlike some… temporary arrangements.”
I felt a re of indignation at her thinly veiled insult, but kept my professionalposure. “Nheless, his schedule is full. I’d be happy to pass along a message.”
Elizabeth ignored me, setting her purse on a nearby chair and examining her manicure. “Since I’ll be waiting anyway. you can fetch me a coffee. ck, no sugar.” She nced at her diamond–encrusted watch. “And make it quick. I don’t <b>have </b><b>all </b><b>day</b>.”
Vivian shot me a worried look, clearly concerned about having Elizabeth anywhere near me after what had happened. I gave her a small, reassuring nod.
“I’ll get you some coffee,” I said calmly, deciding it was <b>easier </b>toply than argue. The sooner I could get her settled with a drink, the sooner I could call security if needed.
<b>s </b><bter </b>with her coffee, setting it carefully on the small table beside her chair, making sure to
I returned a <b>few </b>minutes
stay just out of arm’s reach. There you are, Ms. Collins.”
She took a sip and frowned. “This is too cold. Could you get me a fresh one?”
I suppressed a sigh and took the cup back, feeling a twinge of irritation. When I returned with a steaming fresh cup Elizabeth barely acknowledged me before making her next request.
“I left some documents in my car. Be a dear and fetch them for me? The valet has my keys.” She handed me a valet ticket. “<b>And </b>while you’re downstairs, I saw a lovely silk scarf in the boutique in the lobby. The blue one in the window disy. I’d like to see <b>how </b>itplements my outfit.”
I stared at her, momentarily speechless at her audacity. She was clearly trying to assert dominance by treating me like a servant rather than an executive assistant.
“Ms. Collins, as Mr. Sterling’s secretary, I’m not authorized to leave the executive floor unattended while he’s in meetings. I’d be happy to call someone from the concierge desk to assist you with those items.”
Elizabeth’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose. “I see Dominic hasn’t taught you much about pack hierarchy, has he? When someone of my status makes a request, it’s customary toply. Or perhaps you’d prefer another lesson in respect? The stairwell isn’t far.” Her voice dropped to a menacing whisper on thest sentence.
felt a chill run down my spine at the thinly veiled threat, but stood my ground. “I’m well aware of <b>pack </b>customs. Ms. Collins. I’m also aware that threatening the Alpha’s people is grounds for pack discipline. Something you should be quite familiar with by now.”
For a moment, Elizabeth’sposed facade cracked, revealing the fury beneath. Then she forced a smile. “Very well. I suppose I can handle <b>my </b>own matters.”
For the next thirty minutes, I found myself running back and forth retrieving different files and reports for Elizabeth to examine as she made request after request. Each time I presented something, she would study it briefly before asking to <b>see </b>something else–quarterly forecasts, partnership agreements, documents from the archives that we didn’t normally keep readily avable.
cup toward me. “Be a dear <b>and </b>get me “These are the preliminary ns, Elizabeth murmured, flipping through the pages. “But I think they’re missing the financial projections I was hoping to see. Is this coffee cold?” She pushed her
a fresh one.”
I stared at her, momentarily speechless at her persistence. “Ms. Collins, as I mentioned earlier-
<b>“</b>This coffee is too cold,” she repeated, her tone hardening. “And while you’re at it, I need copies of these pages. Twenty sets, coted and bound for my meetingter.”
Thebination of pregnancy fatigue, emotional stress, and Elizabeth’s demanding presence was taking its toll. “I’m happy to order coffee for you, Ms. Collins, butrge copy jobs need to go through our document services
department. I can submit the request for you, but it will take at least an hour-
9:13 Fri, Sep 26 B…
“Is there a problem<b>?</b>”
Dominic’s deep voice cut through <b>the </b>tension. I turned to see him standing in his office doorway, his tall framemanding attention in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. Ilis blue eyes took in the scene quickly, lingering on my flushed face before moving to Elizabeth with unmistakable coldness.
“Elizabeth,” he said, his tone cial. “This is unexpected and unwee. Security should have notified me of your arrival.”
Elizabeth rose gracefully, her demeanor instantly transforming into warm familiarity. “Dominic, I was just reviewing some of our previous joint proposals. I think we should reconsider our position after that unfortunate… misunderstanding.”
Dominic strode across the office, his presence filling the space. When he reached my side, his hand moved protectively to the <b>small </b>of my back, a gesture <b>that </b>didn’t escape Elizabeth’s notice<b>. </b>I could feel the tension radiating from him–the controlled anger that made his touch slightly firmer than usual.
“There was no misunderstanding,” he replied evenly. “Security footage doesn’t lie. You deliberately pushed Reba down a flight of stairs, which could have resulted in serious injury or worse. Sterling Group severed ties with Collins Group immediately after that incident.”
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