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She laughs.

Not offended.

Almost amused.

“Oh, I don’t need Mike,” she says casually.

She stops in front of me again, her sharp eyes locking onto mine.

“I only need you.”

A chill runs down my spine.

I swallow slowly. “What do you mean?”

She studies me for a moment, like she’s deciding how much to reveal.

Then she says, almost casually, “You’ll have to fly out with me.”

I blink. “What?”

“I can’t explain the plan here,” she continues smoothly. “It’s something I have to show you. Once you see it, you’ll understand everything.”

I let out a slow breath of disbelief.

“You must be joking,” I say flatly. “If you think I’m flying anywhere with you.”

Her expression doesn’t change.

In fact, she looks almost like she’s about to burst into a laugh.

“You don’t really have a choice,” she replies. “Now that I have you…I can’t exactly let you go.”

Anger flares hot in my chest.

“I’ll fight you,” I say, my voice sharp. “With everything I have. And I will never—never—work with you.”

For a moment, she just looks at me.

Then she sighs softly and shakes her head.

“That’s a pity.”

Her tone is strangely sincere.

“I really like you, Ellie. I admire your work. I think you’re brilliant.” She pauses, her red lips curling into a small smile. “You would be a wonderful addition to my team.”

I open my mouth to respond and ask what team, but she lifts a hand slightly, stopping me before I can speak.

“Don’t answer yet,” she says calmly.

She turns and begins walking toward the door.

“I’ll leave you alone for a while,” she adds over her shoulder. “Think about it.”

She reaches the doorway and pauses briefly.

“I’ll come back in a few minutes to hear what you have to say.”