Chapter 4

For a moment, Asher simply stared at her, his hazel eyes wide with disbelief. His gentle composure, which normally controlled the boardrooms, broke. “Erica", he mumbled at last, her name a whisper.

Erica braced up for a second, tilting her head just a bit as if to laugh at him. “Mr. Whitfield,” she corrected, her tone detached and professional. “It’s ‘Ms. Vaughn’ now.”

Asher's face grew fainter. The room remained silent, the tension thick enough to choke on. Erica could feel the eyes of the other executives moving between her and Asher, though none dared to speak.

”Well, is this anything," a keening voice cut through the stillness.

Erica turned her gaze to the woman behind Asher. Miley Brooklyn took a step forward with her green eyes focusing on Erica. Miley's possessive way of resting her hand on Asher's arm wasn't lost on her, either.

”They thought you were a goner," Miley sneered. “Imagine our surprise to see you here. Alive, and… well.”

“Surprise,” Erica replied evenly, though her eyes sharpened at the word “dead”. Her tone was light, almost playful, but inside, her mind was racing. How did Miley know?

Miley smirked, clearly enjoying herself. “I just didn’t expect you to show up here, of all places. After everything.”

“Neither did I”, Erica shot back, keeping her smile in place. “Life has a funny way of bringing people back together, doesn’t it?”

”Now, " Asher cut in abruptly, his command tone piercing through the growing tension. He gestured for everyone to take their seats, but not before casting Erica a look filled with questions he didn’t dare ask aloud.

Throughout the meeting, Erica played her part flawlessly. She was attentive, professional, and cooperative—on the surface. Beneath the polite drama, however, she made sure every comment, every question, landed with precision.

Her first strike came during a financial presentation.

“Mr. Whitfield," Erica asked, cutting off the man speaking, "can you explain how this projection fits in with your recent quarterly losses?

The room went silent, all eyes turning to Asher.

“Our losses last quarter were due to temporary market conditions,” Asher replied, his tone measured. “They’ve already been accounted for in these projections.”

“Temporary?” Erica asked, growing curiosity. “That’s interesting. From what I reviewed, those losses seemed more… structural. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Asher’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t believe that’s relevant to the current discussion.”

”But it's transparency, right?” Erica responded, leaning in. “If we’re to ensure the success of this collaboration, it’s crucial we address any underlying risks upfront”.

Miley hummed at the statement, her face flushing. “And I suppose you’re an expert on our risks now?” she snapped, her voice sharper than she likely intended.

“I make it a point to be well-prepared”, Erica replied coldly, her eyes never leaving Asher’s.

“Miley,” Asher said firmly, silencing her with a glance. “We’ll provide a more detailed analysis before the next meeting”, he said, his tone clipped.

“Perfect,” Erica said, leaning back in her chair. “I look forward to it.”

As the meeting broke up Erica delayed just long enough to retrieve her possessions while taking comfort in the tension she'd created in the room. Caleb came up to her as she put her notebook in her bag.

“You were brilliant in there”, he whispered, his admiration evident.

Erica smiled faintly. “Thank you, Caleb. But this is just the beginning.”

With her heels clicking against the floor of the room on shiny finish, the woman walked towards the exit, but a voice she knew broke her way.

“Erica.”

She turned slowly, meeting Asher’s gaze head-on. He stood a few feet away, his posture rigid, his hazel eyes filled with a mixture of emotions.

“Yes?” she asked, her tone neutral.

“Can we talk? In private," he said, turning briefly to the executives who were still about.

Erica paused, enduring the silence for just long enough to be awkward, and then nodded. “Of course.”

Asher invited her to come in with him to his office. Miley who had been watching the conversation from a distance moved to the front. “Asher, I—”

“Not now, Miley,” Asher said sharply, cutting her off.

Miley's mouth snapped shut, her eyes tightening in anger as she watched Erica leave to Asher's office. 

Asher shut the door after him, the soft click echoed in the wide office. Erica took her time, letting her gaze wander over the sleek, modern furnishings.

“I don’t even know where to start”, Asher admitted, breaking the silence.

“How about the truth?” Erica said, turning to face him. Her voice was calm, but her eyes bore into him.

Asher sighed, running a hand through his chestnut hair. “I didn’t know you’d be here. If I had…”

“What?” Erica interrupted. “You’d have declined the partnership? Or warned Miley to behave herself?”

His jaw tightened. “I’m not going to do this with you right now”.

“Oh, I think you are,” Erica said, stepping closer. Her voice dropped, turning icy. “How does she know, Asher?”

”Know what?” he inquired, however the fear in his voice betrayed him.

”Don't be stupid," Erica snapped, her composure breaking for the first time. “She knows I nearly died. The only way she could know that is if you told her”.

“I didn’t—”

“Then how?” Erica demanded, her voice rising.

“I don’t know!” Asher shot back, his voice matching her intensity. “Maybe she overheard something. I never told her about—about what happened to you.”

“Look,” Asher said, his tone getting soft. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing here, but this isn’t going to work”.

Erica arched an eyebrow. “What isn’t going to work? The partnership? “

His pupils contracted but before he could utter a word, she left and went for the door.

”And Asher,” she called from over her shoulder, where she stopped with her hand on the handle door. “You might want to tell Miley to be careful with her words. People might start asking questions.”

She did not wait for his answer and left him standing in the office, with the door closing behind him.