The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 356

From the entrance to the back of the café, Suzie's mind raced. If he refused to drop the lawsuit, it was pure, spiteful extortion. He wanted her to beg. That was never going to happen. If worse came to worst, she'd burn it all down fighting him.

Her thoughts were chaotic, but years of professional maneuvering had taught her how to build an impenetrable facade. Her face remained a mask of cool, elegant composure.

Aaron led them to a set of heavy wooden doors and knocked softly. A chillingly familiar voice drifted from inside.

"Enter."

Aaron opened the door, gesturing respectfully. "After you, Ms. Sterling."

Appreciating Aaron's unwavering politeness, Suzie offered him a faint, gracious smile before stepping inside. Mia stayed glued to her side.

As Aaron closed the door from the outside, Mia hesitated, hovering nervously near the entrance. She peeked further into the room. Jamie's tall, imposing figure was standing before a painting, his back turned to them.

Suzie's footsteps slowed as she walked further in, calculating her opening move.

"I don't recall inviting you, Ms. Mia," a freezing voice sliced through the silence.

Mia stiffened, her heart hammering against her ribs. He hadn't even turned around, and he knew she was there. She was terrified, but she planted her feet. She wasn't leaving unless Suzie ordered her to.

"Ms. Sterling," Mia spoke up, her voice surprisingly steady. "I'll wait just outside the door. If you need me to take notes, just call."

Suzie turned, meeting Mia's eyes. In that brief exchange, she understood what Mia was doing. It was the only tactical choice.

The door clicked shut behind Mia. From the corner of her eye, Suzie watched Jamie finally turn around and approach the table. Beneath the table, her hands gripped the fabric of her skirt, anchoring herself. She forced herself to exude nothing but professional dominance.

She glanced at the file folder Mia had set on the table before leaving. Taking a steadying breath, she opened it and laid out the documents.

By the time she looked up, Jamie had seated himself across from her. Suzie kept her eyes firmly on the paperwork in front of him, but his presence was suffocating. He wasn't sitting like a man at a business negotiation. He was slouched back against the luxurious leather chair, one arm draped casually over the armrest, the other hand lazily flicking a silver lighter open and shut.