The words weren't loud. They didn't need to be. His tone was enough to wrap around her throat like invisible fingers.
This was not just a reprimand. It was a test.
He was watching her, not just to punish her tardiness, but to see how she would react. Would she grovel? Offer excuses? Crumble under the weight of his presence?
But Cassandra didn't flinch.
She met his eyes with a steady gaze, even as her heart hammered like a drum inside her chest. She kept her back straight, her chin slightly raised. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her squirm.
Sure, she was late. And yes, technically it was Nia's fault. But maybe being late had come with an unexpected advantage.
Everyone here, from the sharply dressed receptionist to the passersby, looked like they'd stepped out of a l
