The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Eric retrieved the project proposal from his office and returned with the paperwork, which he duly handed to Otis. "I've gone over the proposal."

Otis asked in surprise, "Shouldn't I be discussing this with Zane?"

Eric cocked a brow. "Why would Mr. Huxham personally discuss the details of a small-scale project like this with you?"

Otis countered, "Why wouldn't he?"

Taking his seat, Eric pointed out sardonically, "Can you imagine how busy Mr. Huxham will be if he must attend trivial project meetings such as this one every day? He wouldn't have enough time to sort out his work even if he had 48 hours in a day!

"He's a busy man, and if you aren't interested in continuing this discussion, we're happy to hand the project over to someone else. We're not exactly dependent on you."

Otis scowled. "I see..."

"Great," Eric replied curtly. "Let's begin, shall we?"

Yelena, who understood his silent instruction and took the seat beside Eric. "Could you give us an idea of what Mr. Huxham

Mr. Huxham's work is out of my job scope," Eric answered flatly.

darkened, but she knew she could not afford to tick off someone like Eric, even if he was only a secretary. She took a deep breath and pressed, "Can I at least ask what

obvious?" Eric had no idea why Yelena even bothered with such inane questions. "He's into

with another man. What's there to like about her? With Mr. Huxham's looks and money, I'd think he'd

"So why doesn't he marry someone young

to know Annalise, he thought she was a decent woman. She was a good comic artist whose work appealed to a wide audience. More importantly, she was great at making

contemptuously, "Annalise must have ensnared him through unsavory means,

If Zane were so easily seduced, he would have been in a romantic

you want. It's not as

the negotiations? If not,

moment, Otis understood that Eric was growing tired of

to have Yelena seduce Zane to fail, but losing out on a business opportunity in