Chapter 5: Unseen Shadows
The morning mist hung heavy over London as Clara arrived early at the Vance Global building. The focus group results were coming in today, and
despite her calm exterior, her heart beat rapidly against her ribs. She took the elevator up to the 14th floor, clutching her leather notebook.
When she entered the conference room, Ethan was already there, standing by the panoramic window with a tablet in hand. He looked impeccably sharp
in a dark navy suit, but Clara noticed the faint dark circles under his eyes. He had clearly been up as late as she had.
“Morning, Clara,” Ethan said, his voice carrying a quiet softness that was becoming more frequent between them.
“Morning, Ethan. Do we have the results?” she asked, walking up to the long marble table.
Ethan turned, tapping his tablet to project the numbers onto the large digital display. Clara held her breath. The charts expanded, showing two
distinct bars. Her minimalist, understated design had scored an overwhelming 68% approval rating from the European focus groups, outperforming
Ethan’s bolder approach.
Clara let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. A triumphant smile spread across her face. “It seems quiet luxury wins after all.”
Ethan walked slowly toward her, stopping just a step away. Instead of looking annoyed, a faint, genuine smile played on his lips. “It appears I
stand corrected, Miss Montgomery. Your instincts were spot on.”
“Are you actually admitting defeat?” Clara teased, her eyes sparkling.
“I am acknowledging brilliance,” Ethan replied smoothly, his intense blue eyes holding her gaze a second too long.
Before Clara could respond, Ethan’s phone buzzed sharply on the table. The name on the screen made his smile vanish instantly. His jaw tightened,
and the cold mask returned to his face. He picked up the phone without answering and walked toward his private office.
“We will finalize the campaign schedule at noon,” Ethan said briskly over his shoulder before closing the door behind him.
Clara stood alone in the conference room, wondering who could instantly drain the warmth from Ethan Vance so quickly.
