"You think you're better than me," I said, my voice steady as I looked at Joe. He clearly wasn't ready for me to push back, and for a second, he just stood there, swallowing his own words like they had turned bitter.
The elevator doors slid open behind me.
I stepped in without waiting, then turned back and gave him one last cold look. "I really hope you grow from a second-rate lapdog into at least a first-class servant. See you around."
The doors closed before he could respond.
For the first time that morning, I almost felt lighter. The tension from Ashton, from everything, faded just enough for me to breathe again.
When I reached my floor, Stacey was already waiting.
"Ms. Stovall," she said quickly, "Mr. Harrison from Harrison Credit has been in your office all morning."
I nodded once. "Get me warm milk."
She hurried off without asking questions.
I walked into my office and stopped.
