Chapter 42: Circuit And Chaos.

Chapter 42: Circuit And Chaos.
Eric's POV

"Get Newton to sign the document,” I said flatly, not even looking up from the files scattered across my desk.

“Yes, sir,” my PA answered, quickly jotting notes before scurrying off.

The office buzzed like a hive... printers humming, heels clicking, faint whispers filling the air.

Mondays always carried this heavy, choking energy, and after the rough weekend I’d had, it felt like every “Good morning, sir” was tightening a noose around my throat.

I exhaled, tugging on my sleeves.
My mind was all over the place... numbers, contracts, faces… and one particular face I’d been trying to forget.

For no reason at all, my eyes drifted toward the glass partition that framed her office.

Jade’s office.
Freda, her chatty co-worker, instantly stood when she caught me looking. “Good day, sir!”

I lifted my hand, signaling her to sit. “Please. Sit.”

She laughed nervously, lowering herself back into her seat. “Sure, sir.”

“Where’s Jade?” I asked.

Her eyes widened a little. “Uh… she...she, uh…”

I narrowed my gaze. “Why can’t you speak properly?” My tone cut through the air, sharp and cold.

“Sorry, sir!” she stammered. “I meant she went to the other office to get some files.”

“Then face your work.”

“Yes, sir.”

I turned away and headed down the corridor, my footsteps echoing against the marble. The silence of the executive wing always felt different..colder, cleaner, and full of secrets.

When I opened the door to my office, my breath froze midair.“What’s going on here?” I demanded.

Sasha jumped slightly, spinning around in her heels. Her lips stretched into that overly-sweet smile she wore when she was caught. “Hey, baby! You didn’t text that you’d be coming in this early.”

I stepped inside, eyes narrowing. “I asked a question. What’s going on here?”

She pointed quickly toward the desk. “This, uh..this worker came in and said she needed, um…”

Jade’s voice came in quietly, calm but firm. “A file.”

Sasha’s annoying laugh chimed in. “Yeah, yeah, a file.”

The air was thick. Both women stood stiff...Jade looking guilty, Sasha pretending she wasn’t threatened.

I stood there, eyes flicking between them, unsure if I should call them both out or just walk away.

My chair creaked as I made my way toward it. The tension pressed against my chest. And then my eyes met Jade’s.

Her gaze.. sharp, fragile, filled with something I couldn’t name.. locked on mine. For a moment, the world blurred around us.Then she looked away, fast.

“What file do you need, Jade?” I asked, voice steady but low.

“Uh…” she stammered, clutching her folder like a lifeline. “Actually, I was leaving to confirm the file from my senior since I couldn’t find it here.”

“Okay,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Then leave.”

“Yeah, sure, sure…” she whispered, nodding quickly before slipping out.The door clicked behind her, and I let out a long sigh, running my hand down my face.

Sasha, ever the opportunist, walked toward me, her heels clicking in that rhythm I used to love. “Hey, baby,” she cooed, sliding her fingers onto my shoulder. “Rough morning?”

“Dull,” I muttered, eyes still on the door Jade just left through. “But successful.”

She smiled, leaning down, her perfume flooding the space. “Do you want me to go down and...”Her eyes paused on my half-zipped trousers.

I smirked faintly. “Don’t you think it’s a little too early to be a bad bitch?”

She grinned, tracing a finger down my chest. “Anything for my baby.”

I caught her wrist gently, halting her motion.

Her brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “Just… something’s bothering me.”

“Then talk to me,” she said softly. “You know I hate seeing you distracted.”

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. “I just finished a meeting, and I think things are about to go down soon.”

“Go down?” she echoed. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“In a few weeks,” I said, voice tight, “once the government concludes their investigation. The federal council is taking down every robot or AI produced within the Northern Empire’s jurisdiction.”

Sasha’s eyes widened. “What the fuck? You’re joking, right?”

“Do I look like I crack jokes on a sunny Monday?”

“Eric, this can’t be happening,” she snapped. “That’s your entire business sector!”

“Yeah. And that’s why I’m cutting my contracts with the AI brands before this explodes.”

Her jaw dropped. “You’re cutting them off? Are you insane? That’s suicide!”

“No,” I said calmly. “That’s strategy. I’d rather fall on my own terms than be buried alive with everyone else.”

“Strategy?” she repeated, her voice rising. “Babe, you can’t afford to be broke! Do something! Find a loophole!”

I rubbed my temples. “I said I’m handling it. But I can’t think when you keep pressuring me.”

She threw her hands up. “I’m not pressuring you; I’m trying to save your image! Do you even know what it looks like out there? People are whispering. They’re saying you’re losing your grip!”

“Let them whisper.”

“Eric!” she snapped, stepping closer. “You think this is a joke? If the world finds out you’re falling, we both fall! Do you understand how humiliating that would be for me?”

I clenched my jaw. “For you?”

“Yes! You think I’ll just sit here while people say Sasha Vane is dating a man who lost his empire? I can’t!!”

“Enough!” My voice cracked like thunder.
She froze.

“Get out,” I said coldly.

“Eric....”

“I said get out!”

Her face twisted, pride flaring. “Tone it down,” she hissed, grabbing her bag. “You’re not the only one under stress here.”

“Now, Sasha.”

She glared, chin high, then turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.The sound echoed through the room, sharp and final.

I stood there for a long moment, breathing hard, jaw tight. The silence was too loud.“Fuck,” I muttered, slamming my fist into the wall. “Fuck!”I hit it again, knuckles stinging, a dull burn spreading through my hand.

I didn’t even notice the footsteps behind me until a hand....soft, small, trembling... gripped my arm.

My heart stopped.I turned slowly, eyes landing on....