Vale’s POV

“You heard the rumor.”

Julian didn’t even pretend to look surprised when I slammed the conference room door behind me. Same frosted glass. Same late hour. Same stretch of wall that was starting to feel like neutral territory in a war neither of us would call a ceasefire. He was already there, jacket off, sleeves rolled, looking far too comfortable for a man who had just been short-listed for the open VP slot I had been angling toward for eighteen months.

“I heard a rumor,” he corrected, voice mild. “That the partners are considering both of us. Healthy competition. Good for the firm.”

“Healthy.” I laughed once, sharp...