Chapter 79
Nora's POV
Julian must have seen the resistance in my face because he leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. "Besides, Miss Grey, you always struck me as someone who believes in finishing what you start."
The words hit their mark. He knew exactly how to frame it—not as a favor to him, but as a matter of professional integrity.
But before I could respond, he added, his voice dropping just slightly, "And naturally, DSW will compensate you separately for the work. Freelance rates."
My objection died in my throat. I glanced at Robert, who was nodding enthusiastically, then at Ethan, whose expression remained perfectly blank. Benjamin was watching me with wide, hopeful eyes, like he thought this was all perfectly normal.
Well, everything seems rehearsed. I have no reason to refuse. Who the hell turns down money?
I exhaled slowly, forcing my shoulders to relax. "You're right, Mr. Sterling. Finishing what I started is important." I looked directly at Julian, letting a faint edge creep into my tone. "And you're absolutely right that work should be compensated fairly."
His mouth twitched—an almost-smile. "I'm glad we agree."
Robert looked relieved. "Wonderful. I'll have the paperwork sent over this afternoon."
"Perfect," Julian said, finally leaning back in his chair. He picked up his cup again, taking a slow sip. "Now that that's settled, let's order. I'm starving."
Lunch passed quickly.
Benjamin leaned toward me slightly, dropping his voice. "So, uh, how's NPR treating you?"
I sighed. "Still adjusting. The pace is different from DSW."
"Good different or bad different?"
I hesitated. Ruby's face flashed through my mind—the sharp edge of her voice, the way she'd dismissed me in the hallway earlier that morning. "Still figuring that out."
He didn't look convinced, but before he could press further, I lowered my voice even more. "Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you about."
"What?"
I glanced toward the head of the table, where Julian and Robert were deep in a discussion about budget allocations. Satisfied they weren't listening, I turned back to Benjamin. "Do you know anything about Ruby Hill?"
His expression shifted. "Ruby?"
"She's been... difficult. I can't figure out why." I kept my tone neutral, but the frustration bled through anyway. "It feels like she's been waiting for an excuse to tear me down since day one."
Benjamin shifted in his seat, his voice dropping to match mine. "You really don't know?"
"Know what?"
He hesitated, glanced at the others, then leaned in closer. "Ruby is Sarah's cousin."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What?"
"Yeah. I thought you knew." He looked uncomfortable now, like he regretted bringing it up. "They're related through Sarah's mother's side. Sarah's father got Sarah her position at DSW, and Ruby was placed at NPR."
I took a sip of water. Of course. Of fucking course it's Sarah. The pieces clicked into place with brutal clarity—Ruby's hostility from day one, the way she'd dismissed my work, the pointed comments about my lack of experience. It wasn't personal. Or rather, it was—but not because of anything I'd done to her.
It was because of Sarah.
"Nora?" Benjamin's voice was quiet, uncertain. "You okay?"
I forced myself to nod, even though my chest felt tight. "Yeah. I'm fine. Just... that explains a lot."
"I'm sorry. I figured you already knew, or I would've said something sooner."
"It's not your fault." I picked up my water glass again, taking a slow sip to steady myself. Focus. Don't let this ruin lunch.
I looked up and found Julian watching me. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, assessing. He'd noticed. Of course he had.
"Miss Grey," he said, cutting through the low murmur of conversation. "The summit—how's it progressing? Any obstacles I should know about?"
The question sounded casual enough, but the weight behind it was unmistakable. Robert shifted in his seat. Ethan's gaze flicked toward me. Even Benjamin went still.
I set my water glass down and met Julian's eyes. He wasn't just asking about the summit. He was asking if I was okay. If I needed help.
I could've told him. I could've said Ruby's name, and Sarah's, and explained every petty game they'd been running. But that would've meant admitting weakness. It would've made me the kind of person who needed someone else to fight her battles.
So I gave him a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Everything's fine, Mr. Sterling. Just following the plan."
His gaze lingered on me for a moment, like he was deciding whether to push. Then he nodded slowly and leaned back in his chair.
---
Ten minutes later, lunch was finally over. Robert left first, Benjamin trailing close behind him.
Ethan glanced at Julian once, then gathered his tablet and phone with practiced efficiency and slipped out of the private room without a word.
I was reaching for my bag when Julian's hand closed around mine. He looked at me.
The touch was unsettling.
"Your state today isn't quite right," he said quietly. "Something happened that you're not telling me."
My chest tightened. He'd read the tension I couldn't fully hide and drawn his own conclusions.
"It's nothing I can't handle," I said, keeping my voice even.
"That's not what I asked." His tone was gentle but firm. "I'm asking whether something—or someone—is making your work harder than it needs to be."
I looked down at my hands, folded in my lap. Just tell him. But the words wouldn't come. Admitting it felt like admitting defeat. Like proving I couldn't survive without his protection.
"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Sterling," I said carefully. "But I'd prefer to handle my workplace issues on my own."
Julian was quiet for a long moment. Then he exhaled softly—a sound that might've been frustration, or resignation. "You always do that."
"Do what?"
"Carry everything alone." His voice was low, almost intimate in the empty room. "You refuse to lean on anyone, even when you should. Even when it would make things easier."
"Because I don't know what leaning on someone actually means," I said before I could stop myself. The words came out sharper than I'd intended, edged with something raw. "I don't know what kind of relationship would qualify as something I could actually rely on."
Julian's expression shifted, something complex flickering in his eyes. He leaned back slightly, studying me. "Then tell me. What would that look like to you?"