Chapter 30 : The Office Showdown

Chapter 30 : The Office Showdown

It was Cole.

“You look like hell,” he said bluntly.

“Good morning to you too,” Emma muttered.

His eyes narrowed. “Did you finish the numbers I asked for?”

“Yes. I’ll send them soon.” She responded.

He didn’t move right away. He studied her, like he was trying to read her mind. Finally, he said, “Get some sleep next time. I don’t need mistakes.”

“Yes, Mr. Harrington.”

He turned and walked away. Emma let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling under the desk.

By lunchtime, she couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed her bag and hurried outside, needing fresh air. She walked two blocks before stopping at a bench, sitting down hard.

“Okay,” she whispered to herself. “Think. Think.”

She went over it all in her head. The voice last night. The old name. James saying she looked familiar. It couldn’t be coincidence. Someone knew and was trying to rattle her.

Her phone buzzed. She flinched before pulling it out. It was just a reminder about a meeting later. She sighed and shoved it back in her bag.

“You’re being paranoid," she muttered

Still, when a man walked by in a dark jacket, she gripped her bag tighter until he disappeared down the street.

After a while, she dragged herself back to the office. As soon as she stepped inside, Maria waved her over.

“Emma, there’s a package for you.”

Emma froze. “For me?”

“Yeah, no return address.” Maria handed over a plain envelope.

Emma’s fingers shook as she took it. “Thanks.”

She didn’t open it until she was back at her desk, sitting down slowly. The flap tore too easily. Inside was a single piece of paper.

Her old name was typed in bold letters across the middle. Nothing else.

Emma’s breath hitched. She stuffed the paper back into the envelope, shoved it into her drawer, and slammed it shut.

She whispered to herself, “They know.”

Her computer chimed with an email notification. It was from Cole, come to my office now.

Emma’s pulse spiked. She stood slowly, her legs unsteady, and walked down the hall.

Cole was at his desk when she entered, but his eyes flicked up instantly.

“You’re late,” he said.

He studied her again, sharp and unreadable. “Something you want to tell me?”

Her mouth went dry. “No.”

His gaze lingered on her for what felt like forever. Then he said, “Close the door.”

Emma’s hand shook as she reached back and shut the door, the click too loud in the silence.

She turned slowly. Cole’s gaze was locked on her, unreadable as always. He leaned back in his chair, elbows on the arms, fingers steepled together.

“Sit,” he said.

She lowered herself into the chair across from his desk. Her palms were damp, and she tried to fold them neatly in her lap so he wouldn’t see them shake.

Cole studied her for what felt like forever. His eyes moved over her face, sharp and deliberate, like he was cataloging every detail. Finally, he spoke.

“You look like hell.”

Emma forced a small smile. “Rough night.”

“Don’t lie to me,” he said instantly, his voice calm but firm.

Her smile faltered. “I’m not lying.”

“Yes, you are.” He leaned forward slightly. “Your hands are shaking. Your eyes are bloodshot. You’ve been jumping at every sound all morning. That isn’t just a late night with too much coffee.”

Emma swallowed hard. “Maybe I just didn’t sleep.”

He tilted his head. “So tell me, why didn’t you?”

She stared at him, heart pounding. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Everything about you is my business,” Cole said quietly. “Especially if it affects your work.”

Emma gripped the arm of her chair. “My work is fine.”

“Is it?” His gaze didn’t waver. “Because from where I’m sitting, you’re one step away from falling apart.”

Her throat tightened. “I can handle it.”

“I don’t believe you.” His tone was flat, unyielding. “Something’s wrong. What is it?”

She shook her head quickly. “Nothing. I swear.”

Cole’s eyes narrowed. He leaned back again, folding his arms. “You expect me to accept that?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice sharper than she meant.

For a moment, the air between them was heavy. He didn’t move, didn’t blink. Then, slowly, he said, “Emma… if you’re hiding something, I will find out.”

Her chest tightened. “I’m not hiding anything.”

“Then prove it.”

She frowned. “How am I supposed to do that?”

“By showing me you can keep it together,” Cole said simply. “By not flinching every time someone speaks to you. By doing your job without mistakes. By looking me in the eye when I ask you a question.”

Emma forced herself to meet his stare. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” he said, almost softly. “But you will be. Because I don’t accept weakness in this office.”

Her jaw clenched. “So what, I’m supposed to just toughen up?”

“You’re supposed to remember where you are,” he said. “This company isn’t forgiving. Neither am I.”

Emma sat in silence, her pulse still racing.

Finally, Cole said, “Go home early today. Fix yourself. Tomorrow, I expect better.”

She blinked. “You’re sending me home?”

“For now.” His tone was final. “Don’t mistake it for kindness. I’m protecting my investment. If you crash, I lose.”

Emma stood slowly, her legs stiff. She nodded once. “Understood.”

She reached for the door.

“Emma.”

She froze. “Yes?”

Cole’s voice lowered. “If someone’s bothering you… tell me. Don’t try to fight it alone.”

Her breath caught. She didn’t turn around. “No one’s bothering me.”

“Don’t lie to me again,” he said, the edge back in his tone.

Emma pushed the door open and slipped out before he could say more, her heart still hammering.

Emma was sitting across from Cole’s desk with a thick file open, pen in hand. She’d been reviewing numbers for the past hour while he went through emails. The silence was heavy but familiar. Every now and then, he’d ask her for a figure, and she’d flip quickly to find it.

“Page twenty-seven,” Emma said, sliding the file closer so he could see.

Cole leaned forward, eyes scanning. “The projection doesn’t match the last report.”

“I know. I double-checked it. The supplier’s numbers were off.”

He gave her a short nod and sat back. “Good.”

The quiet settled again. Emma tapped her pen, trying to focus even though the exhaustion from the past few days was dragging her down.

Just then, the office door flew open without a knock. Chloe’s voice rang out.

“Cole!”

Emma startled, her pen nearly slipping from her hand. Cole’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t look up right away. He finished typing something before finally lifting his eyes.

“What are you doing here?” he asked flatly.

Chloe stepped inside like she owned the place, her heels loud against the floor. She was dressed perfectly, hair pinned back, makeup flawless. Her eyes immediately fell on Emma, sitting there with papers spread across the desk.

Her smile vanished. “Seriously? You’re still here?”

Emma swallowed and started to gather the papers. “I was just..”

Cole cut her off. “She’s working.”

Chloe raised her brows. “At this hour? On what?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Cole said.

“It is when I walk in and see my fiancé spending his entire night with his assistant,”

Chloe snapped, folding her arms. “Don’t you think this looks a little inappropriate?”

Emma’s face went hot. “I can go.”

“You’ll stay,” Cole said without even glancing at her.