Chapter 7 - Confronting The Tycoon At Dawn
At 6:30 AM the following morning, the twenty-second floor of Cole Logistics was completely dark except for Damian’s corner office.
Ren pushed open his glass office door without knocking, holding her phone in her hand with a sharp, determined stride.
Damian was sitting behind his pristine glass desk, drinking a black espresso while reviewing morning stock ticker updates.
He didn't look surprised to see her; he simply set his white porcelain cup down onto its saucer with a faint clink.
“You’re an hour early, Miss Ashby,” Damian observed smoothly, his voice low and quiet in the empty building.
“What is this, Mr. Cole?” Ren asked, walking right up to his desk and laying her phone face-up on his blotter.
“That is your performance bonus,” Damian replied calmly, leaning back in his leather executive chair.
“The company policy allows discretionary bonuses for immediate capital retention. You saved six million; fifteen thousand is standard.”
“Company policy requires board approval for bonuses over five thousand dollars,” Ren countered, her eyes fierce.
“I read the employee handbook cover-to-cover on my first day.”
“You sent this from your personal trust account at 11:45 last night, five minutes after your driver dropped me off.”
Damian’s jaw tightened slightly, his dark grey eyes holding her gaze without a single trace of guilt or embarrassment.
“I don't like waiting for board approvals, Miss Ashby,” Damian said flatly. “It’s inefficient.”
Ren leaned down over his desk, just as he had done to her forty-eight hours ago, bringing her face close to his.
“I don't accept charity, Damian,” Ren whispered, using his first name for the very first time.
“I work for my money. I don't take handouts from men who pity me.”
Damian leaned forward instantly, closing the space between them until his warm breath brushed against her cheek.
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“It isn't pity, Ren,” Damian growled softly, his voice dropping into an octave that sent a shiver straight down her spine.
“It’s an investment in the only person in this entire building who isn't afraid to look me in the eye and tell me I’m wrong.”
