Norah Fisher was suddenly only inches from Jamie Olson—close enough to make out every fine detail of his skin and feel the heat of his breath. Her heart gave an unexpected jolt.
"Jamie, are you serious?" Norah stepped back quickly, avoiding his gaze. But her racing heart wouldn't slow down.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Jamie's eyes, so brief she might have imagined it. Then he slipped back into his usual cool composure. "Let's eat."
He set the breakfast on the table.
"Okay," Norah said, joining him at the table.
"You go ahead. I'm just going to change," Jamie said, much to Norah's surprise.
"It's such a coincidence—I bought an apartment right next door to yours," he added.
Norah blinked. What were the odds?
Jamie headed next door while Norah started her breakfast. It was as if their conversation from moments before hadn't even happened.
After she finished eating, Norah got ready for work. Jamie mentioned he needed to handle some business at the office too, and they went their separate ways once they reached the lobby.
As soon as Norah arrived at her company, her secretary approached her. "Ms. Fisher, the chairman wants to see you in his office."
"Alright, I understand."
Norah knew exactly why her father was calling her in. She touched the faint palm print still visible on her cheek, let her hair fall over that side of her face, and walked to the chairman's office.
"Dad, you wanted to see me?"
Meir Fisher set his work aside as Norah entered. "Norah, I just got word that Ross Corporation is pulling out of the partnership with us?"
"Yes." Norah nodded.
"I'm sorry, Dad. It's my fault the company is in this position."
Meir stood and walked over to her. "Don't talk nonsense. It's not your fault. They're the ones mixing business with personal matters."
"Dad, I just found out that G.K International is expanding in Boston. I'd like to approach them," Norah said, laying out her plan.
Lionel Ross's cancellation was clearly a tactic to prove she couldn't move on. He probably assumed she'd have to come crawling back for the company's sake. But Norah was determined to find a partner who valued the project's merit—not one blinded by a personal vendetta.
Meir nodded, considering. "G.K International is a major conglomerate. Would they consider a project like ours?"
"In Los Angeles, our project might look small. But this is Boston. G.K is new here and will need partnerships to establish themselves."
Norah was confident their project had real value. The scale often depended on the partners involved.
Meir agreed. "You're right. While Fisher Corp isn't a giant, we've been an established name in Boston for a century."
"Then, Dad, I'll reach out to G.K International."
True to her word, Norah set off immediately, determined.
"Alright, I believe you can do it." Meir gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, but then he noticed the mark on her face.
"Norah, what happened to your face?"
Norah quickly tried to cover it, but Meir had already seen. His expression darkened. "Was it Lionel?"
Norah didn't deny it.
"How dare he," Meir fumed. "I'll confront him myself. My dear girl, I'd never lay a hand on you—what gives him the right?"
"Dad." Norah quickly stopped him. "I've already taken care of it."
Meir looked at her curiously.
Norah nodded. "Really, I have. Have I ever let someone walk all over me?"
The slap had its roots in Vivienne Powell's manipulations, and Norah had already retaliated. She hadn't struck Lionel directly, but she knew he had faced his own consequences.
Fisher Corp wasn't as powerful as Ross Corp, and her father confronting Lionel would only bring unnecessary embarrassment. She wouldn't allow him to go through that on her behalf.
"Norah." Meir's eyes filled with concern.
Norah brushed it off. "Dad, I'm fine. It's over. Please, let's not tell Mom. There's no need to make her worry too."
"Alright." Meir sighed, still heavy with fatherly worry.
Norah grinned. "Really, I'm okay. I'm off to work now."
"Go ahead." Knowing Norah didn't want him to fret any further, Meir held back his concerns.
Leaving the chairman's office, Norah returned to her own office and carefully reviewed the proposal for the Lakeside project. Once she was satisfied everything was in order, she headed to G.K International.
G.K, being new in Boston, would likely have plenty of companies competing for a collaboration. Norah had to seize the opportunity.
"Hello, I'm Norah Fisher from Fisher Corp. Here's my card. I'd like to speak with your project director—if you could let them know I'm here."
Norah handed her business card to the receptionist, her purpose clear.
The receptionist looked at the card and smiled warmly. "Are you Ms. Fisher?"
Norah was taken aback, nodding uncertainly. Did they know her?
"Please follow me, Ms. Fisher." The receptionist was polite and respectful, leaving Norah even more puzzled.
She was led straight to the project director's office.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Ms. Fisher is here to see you, Mr. Olson."
The director?
Norah briefly thought of Jamie Olson. Was this because of him?
That didn't make sense. Jamie had his own company. Why would he be the director at G.K?
"Let her in," came a man's voice from inside.
The voice was familiar—almost like Jamie's.
Could it be him?
The receptionist opened the door. "Ms. Fisher, please go in."
Norah gave a small nod and stepped inside, curious to get a look at this Mr. Olson.
"Hello, Mr. Olson. I'm Norah Fisher, project manager from Fisher Corp."
Norah introduced herself, then lifted her head to meet the man.
A man stood close—so close it startled her—and Norah instinctively stepped back.
It wasn't Jamie Olson, just someone with the same surname. A flicker of disappointment passed through her, though she didn't even notice it herself.
"I'm Maximo Olson. Please, have a seat. No need to be so formal."
Maximo's friendly demeanour left Norah slightly unsure how to react. For the head of a major project, he seemed way too relaxed.
While Norah sized up Maximo, he was studying her just the same.
Is this the woman Jamie is so hung up on?
"Mr. Olson, what did you say?" Norah asked, confused by his quiet mumbling.
Maximo quickly collected himself, shifting to a more formal tone. "Oh, nothing. What brings you to my office, Ms. Fisher?"
"I…"
Just as Norah began to speak, a voice outside interrupted them.
"Mr. Olson, the CEO of Ross Corporation is here to see you."
Lionel?
Norah's brow furrowed slightly.
Why was he here?
