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“Expansive Designs Ltd.”

“Never heard that name before. Who are they?”

“It’s a new start-up company.”

“No kidding. Who’s the boss?”

“Her name is Kathryn Charles.”

“Never heard of her either. I’ll come over now and talk it through with you, Zac.”

“Now’s not a good time, Grace. I’ll call you when—”

“Why?” Grace snarled. “Is she there? Are you in the middle of looking at that proposal now?”

“Yes, but—"

“Thanks for calling. I’m on my way.”

“Grace. No. Wait a min—”

She cut him off and strode out across the main office.For God’s sake!

“Libby!” she barked.

“Yes, Ms. Michaels?”

“Get online and dig up everything there is to find about a company called Expansive Designs Ltd. Research their CEO, one Kathryn Charles, and send all that to my phone ASAP. I’m off to Excelsior HQ.”

“On it, Ms. Michaels.”

Grace walked out of her office on wings of fury, causing a few of her designers to stare in wonder as she stormed past their stations. She barely noticed any of the looks, fuming as she was. A better offer than ours?Like hell!She had won this deal fair and square. If anyone thought they could come in at the last second and steal it from her… They were going to discover otherwise.

???

At least, the drive over was satisfying. Grace could have easily afforded ten limos and the same number of private chauffeurs if she had wanted it. But she chose to drive herself and favored a Ferrari 812 GTS convertible for the job. Blood-red in color, with a V12 engine, the car delivered on performance and elegance in equal parts, matching her personal style. She pushed the engine and literally flew on her way to the other side of Miami CBD. She just kept a wary eye out for traffic cops on the prowl since she did not want to add to the wad of speeding tickets already stuffed inside her glove box... But the supercharged drive gave her pleasure, as always, and also put her in the right frame of mind for what may be to come. Libby had come through with the requested information, which turned out to be very little. Expansive Designs Ltd, and their CEO, Kathryn Charles, were a complete mystery. The company had sprung out of nowhere six months ago. Yet, even in such a short amount of time, they’d acquired an impressive client portfolio. Something felt fishy with that business, and Grace raced into town prepared to do battle. Fifteen minutes later, she came to a steaming stop in front of a bemused parking attendant.

“Here.” She tossed him the keys, noted his grin spreading wide as he took in the proud and aggressive lines of the Ferrari, and issued a clear warning. “Put a single scratch on her, and I will have your job.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Proud, aggressive... Similar words could be used to describe Grace as she strode purposefully across the marble lobby. Once upon a time, she had traveled the world as a professional dancer.When a recurring injury ended that career, she could have gone into teaching but opted for architecture, design, and the business world instead. Though it proved a judicious choice, she still loved to dance in her spare time and maintained a rigorous training routine. Even approaching fifty, she had lost none of her carriage and fluidity. As she breezed past the front desk, the receptionist on duty would have seen a tall, slender woman with blond hair in a short stylish bob, dressed in a black pantsuit and expensive designer heels. Headed toward the elevators without a second glance, as if she owned the place and everyone in it.

“Uh… Ma’am… May I help you?”

“No thanks.”

The woman must be new, to call her ‘Ma’am’. Grace barely flicked her a disinterested glance as she punched the elevator button. And waited. Nothing happened.

“I have to activate it,” the receptionist informed her coolly. “I’ll be glad to do so if you tell me who you are here to see. Also, you have to sign in.”

The fact that she was enjoying this measure of power over her was not lost on Grace, who suppressed a scowl to not give her more satisfaction. Little people and their tiny pleasures, she figured. Well, then. She would enjoy toying with this one.

“I’m here to see Zac Wills.”

“I’m afraid Mr. Wills is in a meeting and can’t be disturbed at the moment.”

No kidding?“He’ll see me,” Grace assured.