Chapter 51
Claire's POV:
I stood outside Adam's office on the twenty-sixth floor, forcing a polite smile at the young assistant behind the desk.
"I need to see Mr. Sterling."
The assistant looked up nervously. "Ms. Ashford, I'm sorry, but Mr. Sterling is with someone right now."
"Who?" I kept my tone light, friendly.
"Ms. Bennett. From Garrison Industries."
My pulse quickened.
Could it be her? The woman Adam said he was chasing?
I took a step toward the office door.
The assistant flinched but didn't move to stop me.
Good. She knows better than to get in my way.
Before I could knock, James Cooper appeared in the hallway.
"Ms. Ashford." His voice was flat. "Mr. Sterling is unavailable."
I turned to face him, keeping my smile in place. "James, I just need a minute—"
"I'm sorry. He specifically asked not to be disturbed."
My jaw tightened.
James had always been polite to me—professional—but he knew the truth.
Adam barely tolerated me.
The only reason I worked at Sterling Global was because I'd saved his life three years ago in Rochester.
He thanked me once.
And that was it.
But I'd held onto that moment. Let people at the company think there was more between us. Some even whispered that I was Adam's unrequited love.
I never corrected them.
Let them speculate.
It kept other women at a distance. Gave me an edge.
But James knew better.
And he wasn't going to let me in.
"Please leave, Ms. Ashford," he said quietly.
I felt heat crawling up my neck.
The assistant was watching. The secretarial pool could probably hear every word.
I can't make a scene.
Not here.
I turned and walked toward the elevator, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
Fine.
I'll wait.
---
The elevator doors opened on the ground floor.
I stepped out into the lobby—and froze.
There.
A woman walking out of the private elevator.
Adam's elevator.
The one reserved for family and VIPs.
The one I'd never been allowed to use.
She was tall, with long brown hair pulled into a ponytail. Simple black blazer. Mid-range heels.
That's her.
Miss Bennett.
My chest tightened.
I started to follow her toward the exit—maybe I'd catch her outside, warn her to stay away from Adam—but then I saw Mrs. Sterling.
Adam's grandmother.
I plastered on a smile and walked toward her. "Mrs. Sterling, what a surprise—"
"Do I know you?" She barely glanced at me.
My face burned. "Claire Ashford. I work here. In Project Development."
"Mm." She looked past me, utterly disinterested. "And why are you back from London?"
"I finished my MBA. I'm working at Sterling Global now—"
"How nice for you." Her tone made it clear she didn't care.
Then her gaze shifted.
And her entire face lit up.
"Maya!"
She shoved past me—literally pushed me aside—and hurried after the woman.
I stumbled backward, catching myself on the marble column.
Mrs. Sterling caught up to Maya near the revolving doors, grabbing her hand and beaming.
"Maya, dear! I was hoping to run into you!"
Maya turned, smiling warmly.
Mrs. Sterling squeezed her hand, laughing at something Maya said.
She's never looked at me like that.
Not once.
I'd met Mrs. Sterling three times. Each time, she'd been cold. Dismissive.
But with Maya?
She looked like a grandmother seeing her favorite grandchild.
---
I walked quickly toward the side exit, away from the security cameras.
Found an empty hallway near the service elevators.
And I lost it.
I swung my Celine bag off my shoulder and slammed it against the wall.
Again.
Again.
The leather smacked against concrete, the sound echoing.
A janitor appeared at the end of the hallway, took one look at me, and muttered, "Crazy bitch," before turning around.
I didn't care.
I sank to the floor, breathing hard.
---
Adam said he was at his girlfriend's place for dinner yesterday.
I'd been tracking him for years. Even while I was in London, I kept tabs.
Victoria Garrison confessed her feelings to him—he called the cops and had her escorted out.
His grandmother set him up on five blind dates in one night—he rejected all of them.
For years, Adam showed no interest in anyone.
I thought he was waiting.
For me.
That once I came back with my MBA, once I proved I was capable and smart and worthy, he'd finally see me.
But I've asked him to dinner multiple times over the past few weeks.
He always said no.
And yesterday, when I asked again, he said he had plans.
At his girlfriend's place.
I thought he was making it up. Just another excuse to avoid me.
But now?
Seeing Maya step out of his private elevator?
Seeing Mrs. Sterling treat her like family?
It's real.
She's real.
---
My hands were shaking.
Okay.
Think.
Adam said he was chasing her. Trying to win her over.
That means they're not together.
Not yet.
So I still have time.
I stood, brushing off my coat.
I've worked too hard to give up now.
I came back to Boston for him. I joined Sterling Global for him. I've spent two years making myself indispensable, building my reputation, waiting for him to notice.
And I'm not going to let some assistant from Garrison Industries take him away.
Adam's grandmother might like her now, but that won't last.
All I have to do is wait.
And when Adam realizes she's not worth the trouble?
I'll be there.
Like I always am.
---
I picked up my bag and walked back toward the lobby.
My heels clicked against the marble.
Act normal.
You're fine.
I smiled at the security guard as I passed.
You belong here.
---
I went straight to my desk on the fifteenth floor.
Project Development Department.
Adam had agreed to let me work here when I came back from London. Not because he wanted me close—because he owed me.
For saving his life.
That was the only card I had.
And I was going to play it for as long as I could.
I sat down and opened my laptop.
Stared at the screen without seeing it.
I have to marry into the Sterling family.
I have to.
I've sacrificed too much to walk away now.
I'm not giving up.
Adam Sterling is mine.
He just doesn't know it yet.