The soft hum of conversation from the outer office drifted in, muffled by the thick glass walls. Nova Group’s headquarters smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh flowers, but there was nothing soft about the way Lizzy Pembroke’s heels struck the floor. Each step was a sharp, deliberate click, her pace quick and unyielding as she zeroed in on Claudia’s office.

She didn’t knock. The door swung open under her hand, and she slipped inside like she owned the place.

Claudia looked up from a stack of neatly organized reports, the pen in her hand pausing mid-word. “Lizzy,” she said, her tone even but edged with surprise, “this is unexpected.”...