ire was surrounded by the buzz of activity in the roboticsb, where the team was working tirelessly. She moved around, checking on each member and asionally rolling up her sleeves to help out. The team was small, and with Abigail absent, they were stretched


    thin. Still, ire couldn''t help but feel proud as they showed her a demo of the robot.


    "This is amazing," she said, her eyes lighting up as the robot performed its programmed tasks wlessly. "You guys have done incredible work, especially with such a small team."


    One of the engineers grinned. "Thanks, Ms. Peterson! We really pushed hard to get this ready. Abigail''s absence was tough, but we managed."


    ire nodded. "You really did. She''ll be impressed when she sees this."


    After a few more words of encouragement, ire left theb and headed to her office to meet with herwyers. It was time to deal with Lisa''s case. She''d asked Matthew topile all the evidence of Lisa''s wrongdoings into one neat folder, and he''d done an excellent job. Thewyer, a sharp-eyed man named David, flipped through the documents.


    "So, ire, do you want us to send her a notification or an email?" David asked, ncing up.


    ire shook her head, a mischievous smile ying on her lips. "No, I want it to be a surprise. She won''t know what''sing."


    David chuckled. "I like your style. We''ll take care of it. Everything''s in order, so it shouldn''t take long."


    They discussed a few more details before David left. ire returned to her desk, where a mountain of paperwork waited for her. She let out a dramatic sigh, staring at the piles with a frown.


    "Seriously, what''s with this workload?" she muttered to herself. "I take one day off, and it''s like the paper fairy had a party on my desk."


    Just as she was about to dive in, there was a knock on her office door. It was Sandra, her secretary, holding another file.


    "Ms. Peterson, this is for tomorrow''s meeting," Sandra said, cing the folder on the already crowded desk.


    ire picked up the file and flipped through it. "Thanks, Sandra. Looks like I''ll be pulling an all-nighter."


    Sandra gave her a sympathetic smile. "Don''t work too hard. I''m heading home now. Try to get some rest, okay?"


    "I''ll try," ire replied, though she wasn''t too hopeful.


    As Sandra left, the office started to empty out. Soon, it was just ire, her deskmp, and the endless sea of paperwork. She stretched, feeling the tension in her back and shoulders, and took a short break to watch the robot demo video again. It was a good distraction. Before she knew it, it was 1:30 AM. ire leaned back in her chair, exhausted but satisfied that she''d made a dent in the pile. She decided it was finally time to call it a night. Grabbing her things, she headed down to the lobby, only to realize she''d forgotten to call her driver.


    "Ugh, seriously, ire?" she groaned, rubbing her temples. "How can I be so forgetful?"


    With no other option, she pulled out her phone to call a cab. But just as she was about to dial, a sleek ck car pulled up in front of the building. ire frowned, wondering who could possibly be visiting at this hour. The car door opened, and out stepped Alexander, looking as polished and confident as ever.


    "Alexander?" ire asked, folding her arms. "What are you doing here?"


    Alexander smiled, that annoyingly charming smile that always seemed to annoy and intrigue her in equal measure. "I wanted to see how the robot''s development is going. I figured I''d catch you before you left."


    ire narrowed her eyes. "You know you cane by tomorrow during normal hours, right? It''s almost 2 AM."


    He shrugged. "I''ll be busy tomorrow. And you only have a week left to finalize this project."


    His tone was all business, and it made ire''s annoyance spike. "I''ll send you the video if you''re so worried about it."


    Alexander ignored her irritation. "Why aren''t you home yet, anyway?"


    ire sighed, feeling her frustration grow. "I had work to finish. What''s it to you?"


    He nced around the empty lobby. "Where''s your driver?"


    She rolled her eyes. "I forgot to call him, okay? I was about to get a cab."


    Alexander''s expression softened a little. "Let me give you a ride."


    ire crossed her arms tighter. "No thanks. I can manage."


    But Alexander wasn''t taking no for an answer. "Come on, ire. It''ste, and it''s not safe to be out here alone."


    They stood there, staring each other down. ire''s re could have melted steel, but Alexander just looked at her with that calm, persistent look he always had. Finally, she huffed and threw her hands up. "Fine! But only because I don''t want to wait for a cab in the middle of the night."


    Alexander smirked in triumph, opening the car door for her. "d you see it my way."


    ire got into the car, muttering under her breath. "Smug jerk."


    As they both settled inside the car, Alexander couldn''t help but keep sneaking nces at ire. She, on the other hand, stared out of the


    window, her expression diet the


    After a few moments of silence, Alexander cleared his throat and finally spoke up.


    "I saw you at the Royal Ascot the other day," he said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.


    ire didn''t even bother looking at him. "And?"


    Alexander frowned, not expecting such a blunt response. "And... I saw you with Adrian," he continued, his voice holding a hint of jealousy.


    ire turned to him, raising her eyebrows. "So?"


    "So... why were you with him?" Alexander asked, his frustration growing. He hated how calm and unaffected she seemed.


    "It''s none of your business who I hang out with, Alexander," she said, her tone cold. "Who I see, who I talk to - that''s my choice."


    Alexander opened his mouth to argue, but before he could say anything, two cars screeched to a stop right in front of them. The sudden movement made both of them jerk forward as Alexander mmed on the brakes. "What the heck!" Alexander muttered angrily, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. Four men jumped out of the cars, heading straight for them. Alexander''s eyes narrowed, his temper ring. "Who the hell are they?"


    Before ire could say anything, Alexander flung open the car door, his jaw set with determination. ire quickly reached out, grabbing his arm.


    "Alex, just drive away," she urged, her voice tense. "Don''t get out."


    But Alexander shook off her hand, too stubborn to listen. He stepped out, his stance aggressive as he faced the group. "What''s your problem?" he demanded, his voice loud and challenging.


    One of the men, tall and muscr, stepped forward. "We''re here to talk to ire," he said, his tone calm but menacing. "Not you. Hand her over, and no one gets hurt."


    Alexander scoffed, his anger boiling over. "Like hell I will! Get lost before I make you."


    ire, still inside the car, overheard everything. She felt her heart race as she watched the confrontation unfold. Without thinking, she flung open the door and stepped out, her eyes zing. "If it''s me you want, here I am!" she shouted, drawing all eyes to her. Alexander spun around, ring at her.


    "ire, get back in the car!" he barked, his voice edged with fear and frustration.


    But ire ignored him, taking a step forward. "I''m not going anywhere. This is between me and them."


    The men smirked, clearly amused by her bravery. "Smart girl," one of them said. "This''ll be easier if you juste with us."


    But ire wasn''t about to go quietly.


    Before anyone could react, she lunged at the nearest guy, catching him off guard. Her fist connected with his jaw, and he staggered back, more surprised than hurt. The others quickly closed in, but ire was ready. She kicked out,nding a blow on another guy''s knee, sending him to the ground.


    "Damn it, ire!" Alexander yelled, jumping into the fray. He swung at one of the men,nding a solid punch, but was quickly grabbed from behind. He struggled, kicking out and breaking free.


    The fight was chaotic, fists flying


    everywhere ire dodged a punch, then swung her arm, knocking a guy off bnce. But there were too many of them, and they were closing in. One of the men grabbed her from behind, and she struggled, twisting to break free.


    "Watch out!" Alexander shouted suddenly, his voice filled with urgency.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!