My heels click against the marble floor like a countdown. Twenty-three floors up, Veridian Tower still smells the same—lemon polish and quiet desperation. I smooth my blazer, the one tailored to scream 'I belong here,' and step into the elevator. The security guard squints. 'Name?' 'Kate Everly.' His eyes widen. The system flags me: TERMINATED. CONDUCT VIOLATION. But today, I walk through the front doors as lead innovator on Project Apex—the project they stole from me three years ago. And at the end of the hall, leaning against the boardroom door like he owns time itself, is him. Liam Cole. CEO. My first love. The man who signed my dismissal without looking me in the eye. He straightens as I approach. 'You’re late.' 'I’m right on time,' I say. 'For round two.'

He studies me, unreadable. 'You think a new suit and sharper eyeliner erase the past?' 'No,' I say, stepping closer. 'But this does.' I tap the badge clipped to my lapel—Executive Clearance, Level 9. His jaw tightens. The board meeting starts in two minutes. He has a choice: let me walk in as an equal, or cause a scene that’ll leak to the press before lunch.