Chapter 6 Beneath The Ice

• As Clara sat at her desk, gazing at the intimidating task Ethan had just given her, the busy hum of Whitaker Architecture's office felt louder than usual. Every line of the intricately detailed blueprint that covered her workplace required accuracy. She could still hear Ethan's final words: "Let's see if you're worth the effort."
• She took a long breath, bracing herself. The project required mathematics she hadn't done since her early drafting days, and it was impossible to complete. She looked around for a sign of comradery, but her colleagues were just observing from afar, their faces arrogant.
• Clara spoke sharply to them, saying, "If you're all so sure I'll fail, you could at least make a suggestion."
• With his arms folded, a man in the distant corner grinned. "We'd prefer to observe."
• Their hurtful remarks only strengthened her resolve. Clara jumped right into the project, adjusting layouts, double-checking measurements, and improvising where the instructions were unclear. Hours passed in a whirl, notes and half-empty coffee cups piling up on her desk.
• Her hands were shaking from fatigue by the time she turned in her work, but her determination remained unwavering. Moments later, Ethan showed up, his face as unreadable as usual. He studied her creations silently, each moment agonizingly long.
• He looked up at last. "For a beginner, not bad."
• Although they weren't quite compliments, the words were sufficient. Ethan had already looked aside, but Clara forced a smile. She couldn't get rid of the thought that she had gained a small portion of his respect as he made his way back to his office.
• Clara was still in the office late that night, with the city lights sparkling outside the large windows. A shadow landed on her desk while she was absorbed in her thoughts and drawing concepts for a side project. She noticed Ethan when she looked up.
• "Are you still here?" he said softly.
• Clara retorted, putting down her pencil, "So are you."
• He pointed to the conference room. "Come on. Let's check out your recent endeavors.
• Ethan analyzed her thoughts as the spontaneous brainstorming session got underway, his scathing criticism piercing the quiet. Their argument became heated as Clara retaliated, defending her decisions.
• Clara finally replied, her voice tinged with fury, "You treat people like tools." "Have you ever allowed anyone inside?"
• Clara momentarily regretted her audacity as Ethan's eyes darkened. However, he said softly, "Letting people in gets you hurt," rather than yelling.
• Between them, the weight of his words fell hard. “Is that what happened to you?” Clara asked after a moment of hesitation.
• Ethan's mouth clenched. The only person who understood was my brother. And he is no longer there.
• Raw and unguarded, the admission hung in the air. Clara wanted to ask more questions, but she was cautioned against it by the pain in his eyes. She caught a sight of the man under the ice for the first time.
• Clara was getting ready for her project presentation the following morning, and the workplace was alive with excitement. Despite her tense feelings, she felt prepared because she had practiced a lot until she saw the screen. Outdated drafts had taken the place of the well prepared slides.
• Gabrielle Richards smirked as she said, "Oops," seeming to be innocent. "Did I not bring up the update?"
• Even though Clara's heart was pounding, she wouldn't let Gabrielle see her stumble. Despite the storm building inside, Clara responded, "It's fine," in a firm voice. "I'm accustomed to cleaning up other people's mess."
• She pulled up schematics and made quick sketches as she went along. The skepticism in the audience was transformed into genuine interest by her cool assurance and rapid reasoning. When she was done, Evelyn Marlowe gave her a nod of approval.
• Gabrielle's stiff smile had taken the place of her smirk. Gabrielle leaned close as Clara collected her notes. With a tone full of malice, she muttered, "You have no idea what you're dealing with here."
• Clara felt her stomach turn, but she confronted Gabrielle's scowl. "I suppose we'll discover."
• There was a lot of tension in Ethan's office, and Clara's determination was being pressed by the stillness. Ethan leaned back in his chair and watched her with a disconcerting composure while she stood in front of his desk, her hands clutched at her sides. His angular features were shadowed by the dim glow of the city lights that streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Despite the fury raging inside of her, Clara murmured, "You keep testing me," in a firm voice. "What are you attempting to demonstrate?"
• A slight smirk formed on Ethan's lips, but his eyes stayed icy. "That you are capable of surviving in my world."
• His words stung like a whip, but they also made her defiant. Clara took a step forward and met his eyes. This is sabotage, not survival. Why are you attempting to break me if you sense potential in me?
• Something flickered in Ethan's face for a second, something unguarded, and his smirk wavered. His fingers were steepled under his chin as he leaned forward. "Because survival is insufficient." It takes more than talent to succeed in this world. Resilience is required.
• "And you believe that tearing me down will make me more resilient?" Clara's voice rose as she asked. "Or is there another issue here?"
• Ethan stood, shadowing her with his imposing bulk. His voice was low and purposeful as he asked, "You want the truth?" "I see potential, so I push." However, I also press because I want to see if you'll bolt as soon as things get tough.
• The weight of his words made Clara gasp. She was unaware that there was a deeper, more personal, and unresolved aspect to his unrelenting behavior. Her determination hardened as she maintained eye contact.
• With firmness, she declared, "I'm not running." "Regardless of how hard you push."
• Ethan's barriers swiftly returned, although his expression softened almost imperceptibly. He turned away and muttered, "We'll see."
• Clara saw a change in herself as she walked out of his office. Not for Ethan, but to show him she was more resilient than he believed, she would take on the challenge.
• Later that night, the office was filled with dim light, and the only sounds were the faint rustle of papers and the buzz of computers. Clara sat at her desk, thinking about what Ethan had said, her thoughts racing. He was omitting something, and she had to comprehend it if she was to survive in his uncertain environment.
• Opening her laptop, she started looking through news archives and public records for signs of Ethan's history. His name was mentioned in many Whitaker Architecture publications that praised his achievements and inventions. However, she was drawn to the essay "Tragic Loss in the Whitaker Family."
• After reading of the passing of Ethan's younger brother Nathaniel Whitaker, Clara clicked on the link, feeling sick to her stomach. There weren't many specifics, only hazy accounts of an accident. A younger Ethan was seen in the following shot standing next to a bright-eyed youngster, their grins framed by the shadow of a massive mansion.
• Clara felt the weight of the discovery bearing down on her. Not only was his brother's passing tragic, but it also marked a sea change in Ethan's life and helped to mold the guy who now wore the icy exterior.
• She looked toward Ethan's office, interrupting her thoughts. The door stood open, and she saw the same picture from the article on the desk. Clara's interest overcame her caution, and as she moved closer, her heart pounded.
• The brown wood frame of the picture had worn edges from frequent handling. Ethan, Nathaniel, and their parents were shown as a family, yet even in the still photo, there was a noticeable tension in their faces.
• As the parts started to fit together, Clara's breath caught. Ethan lived in a haunting environment that was more than just difficult. She took a step back, her thoughts whirling.
• She spun around when she heard a creaky door. Ethan was standing in the doorway, his intense gaze fixed on hers.
• With a steely voice, he questioned, "What are you doing in here?"
• Clara was frozen at a moment that could have ruined everything.