Bound To The Broken Alpha (Amy and Daniel) novel Chapter 37

**When Dawn Breaks Slowly Hope Finds Space To Grow by Jin Rowan Vale**

**Chapter 37: Elias Carter**

**AMY**

“Mrs. Amy,” a voice broke through the fog of my thoughts, gentle yet firm. It was Sandra, her expression carefully composed. “There’s a meeting scheduled in twenty minutes with the event board. You, Mrs. Clara, and the rest of the committee members will be reviewing the plans for the Lunar Elegance Fashion Show. This will be our first comprehensive meeting for the project.”

I halted, a wave of unease washing over me. “Clara will be attending?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she affirmed, her gaze dropping momentarily. “That is why she is here,” she added, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

Of course, she would be. Clara was like an indelible mark, a stain that clung stubbornly no matter how many times you tried to scrub it away. The thought of having to collaborate with her again after everything that had transpired made my skin crawl, yet I was determined not to let her seize the upper hand this time around.

“Very well,” I replied, my voice steady. “Please prepare the file summary. I’ll join you shortly.”

Sandra nodded, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she exited. I let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of my neck in a futile attempt to ease the tension that had settled there. Daniel still refused to speak to me, and it gnawed at me incessantly. After everything he had said before, his voice echoed faintly in my mind, a distant reminder of our connection. Now, the silence felt deafening.

The meeting room was already buzzing with activity when I stepped inside. Board members were scattered around the elongated glass table, their name tags and folders meticulously arranged before them. Clara was perched at the far end, engrossed in her tablet, flipping through screens as if she owned the very room. The moment I entered, she looked up, a smile gracing her lips that felt more like a smirk.

“Mrs. Amy,” she purred, sweetness dripping from her words, “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to make it. I heard you were… recovering.”

Her tone was laced with a subtle venom, and I noticed a few men at the table exchanging knowing glances. She must be the one behind the attack on my life, but I had no concrete evidence.

“I’m perfectly fine,” I replied, my voice even, though I felt a flicker of irritation rise within me. “Let’s concentrate on the meeting, shall we?”

Mr. Graham, one of the senior directors, cleared his throat, a sound that commanded attention. “Right, let’s begin. The Lunar Elegance Fashion Show is our most significant external event this quarter. The company’s name will be associated with every facet of it, from sponsorship to brand representation. Mrs. Amy, as the head of operations for this division, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the project’s overall coordination.”

I had anticipated this role, yet the way Clara’s expression shifted told me she had other ideas. Her lips pressed together slightly before she spoke, “I thought marketing was taking the lead on this. After all, this event is more focused on publicity.”

Mr. Graham glanced between us, his expression a mix of concern and authority. “Marketing will manage branding, but operations retains final oversight. That responsibility falls under Mrs. Amy’s domain.”

Clara leaned forward, her demeanor sharp. “With all due respect, Amy’s department doesn’t handle creative direction. This event is centered on fashion. It requires someone who truly understands the industry, not just the logistics of management.”

The way she spoke about “management logistics” made it sound as if I merely sorted boxes for a living. I maintained my composure, keeping my tone calm. “The company’s partnership with the event necessitates that execution aligns with Carter Holdings’ image and values. I am confident that my team understands this better than anyone else.”

A smirk tugged at Clara’s lips. “We’ll see about that.”

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