Chapter 8 Testing The Waters

• As Clara stood in front of a long table full of skeptical eyes, the conference room was chilly and the air was thick with doubt. The group of senior architects relaxed in their chairs, their faces ranging from indifference to plain contempt. Despite her racing heart, Clara managed to steady her voice as she introduced her concept.
• Her drawings, which were displayed on the wall behind her, conveyed a tale of style and inventiveness. But the rumors began practically at once.
• One senior architect leaned back in his chair and scoffed, "This is amateur work at best." He spoke loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear, but he was cautiously condescending.
• Although Clara's hold on her notes became more firm, she raised her chin. She yelled back, her words cutting through the tension, "Then it shouldn't be hard for you to match it or surpass it."
• Astonished by her disobedience, the room became silent. Everyone's attention was drawn to Ethan, who was seated at the head of the table with an inscrutable expression. The room was waiting for his decision, as evidenced by his deafening quiet.
• Ethan's voice was calm but determined when he eventually spoke. Her style is daring and practical. It strikes a balance between creativity and realism.
• The senior architect started to protest, but Ethan's piercing glare cut him off. "I'm willing to listen to anyone who has a better solution."
• Nobody answered.
• Ethan returned his focus to Clara. Miss Hawthorne, your expectations are very high. I advise you to deliver.
• Clara noticed Gabrielle in the corner, her grin growing as the meeting came to an end. Clara's gut twisted for some reason. Sabotage felt inevitable, and whatever triumph she had won at the meeting was tenuous.
• The study at the Whitaker estate was as massive as ever, but Ethan's rage made it feel cramped. He held the letter in his hand like a weapon as he stood in front of his father.
• "One son was destroyed by you. Do you intend to exert the same kind of influence over me? With a hushed but venomous voice, Ethan demanded.
• Alexander stayed seated, his expression incredibly composed. "Manage you? No, Ethan. I'm defending the family's heritage.
• "By lying? Through manipulation? With his restraint barely intact, Ethan's hands clenched.
• Alexander had a sly smile. "Your brother wasn't as perfect as you portray him to be. This isn't about Nathaniel, though. Making sure the Whitaker name endures is the goal.
• Ethan's mouth clenched. "I've made sure they survived. My life will not be dictated by you.
• Alexander's face grew serious. Yes, but I will. Ethan, you must get married. And fast. The board is observing.
• Ethan laughed. "A marriage that was arranged? You continue to be predictable.
• Leaning back, Alexander's lips curled into a cunning smile. "I have communicated with Sophia Ellsworth. She is quite eager to reconnect with former acquaintances.
• Ethan was taken aback when his ex-fiance was brought up. As he turned to go, his face stiffened. "Avoid my life," he snarled.
• Alexander grabbed up his tumbler of whiskey and swirled it slowly as he closed the door behind him. "Ethan," he whispered to himself, "we'll see."
• When Clara returned to her desk, her shoulders tense with strain, the office was silent. She had just started going over her project files when she became aware of an oddity. The materials she had meticulously produced had vanished, to be replaced by sloppy, out-of-date versions.
• Her heartbeat accelerated. This was intentional, not an error.
• She whispered to herself, "It seems like someone is attempting to undermine me." She grabbed her phone and punched in Bernard's number.
• "Clara?" he asked in a kind and worried tone.
• Her words were laced with frustration as she stated, "Someone sabotaged my work." "It feels intimate."
• Bernard remarked in a soft yet stern voice, "Clara, you don't need this job." Before it breaks you, let it go.
• Determination burning in her chest, she shook her head. "I am unable to. I refuse to let them prevail.
• After hanging off the phone, Clara got her hands dirty and threw herself into saving the project. Using her ingenuity, she labored through the night to restore what had been destroyed.
• Ethan watched her quietly through the glass walls of his office. He was captivated by her resolve, but his inscrutable look betrayed sentiments he wasn't yet ready to express.
• Clara slumped back in her chair, fatigued but triumphant, as the first rays of light slowly made their way into the office. But the memory of Gabrielle's smirk hung over her, reminding her that the fight was far from done.
• As the day went on, the gentle buzz of office activity had subsided, and Clara was sitting at her desk with only a single desk lamp to illuminate her. Her notes and drawings were all over the place, reflecting the disarray in her head. She was exhausted from overcoming one obstacle after another in her most recent project.
• The silence was broken by a familiar voice asking, "Are you working through the night?"
• When Clara looked up, she saw Nathaniel Sterling standing a few feet away with a warm smile on his face and his hands in his pockets. He was not welcome, but his presence was unexpected.
• Clara leaned back in her chair and said, "Something like that." "Or perhaps I'm just hoping that everything will be magically fixed by the universe."
• With a laugh, Nathaniel drew a chair closer and took a seat. "Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way."
• With a groan, Clara pointed to her disorganized desk. "Any advice on how to get around here without going crazy?"
• Nathaniel's face softened as he watched her for a time. Ethan sees promise in others, which is why he may be harsh with them. He never puts effort into someone he doesn't trust.
• With a flicker of mistrust in her eyes, Clara arched an eyebrow. "Or perhaps he simply takes pleasure in causing misery to others."
• Nathaniel grinned without protesting. He can be... challenging, I won't deny that. However, he is not as frigid as he appears. Ethan surrounded himself with barriers after his brother, Nathaniel, passed away. For years, he has been bearing that burden.
• Clara became motionless as Nathaniel's voice carried a note of vulnerability. "I was unaware."
• Nathaniel answered quietly, "Very few do." "But don't take his tests personally if you want to understand him."
• Clara gave a cautious nod, her determination growing. "Perhaps I should confront him about it now."
• With a slight smile, Nathaniel got up to go. "Good luck. It will be necessary.
• Clara's thoughts swirled as he left. She knew the whole picture was far from finished, but the pieces of Ethan's reserved character started to fit together.
• Clara was getting ready to leave later that night when she ran into Gabrielle Richards in front of the elevator. As Gabrielle moved into Clara's path, her well-groomed smile stopped short of her eyes.
• "Clara," Gabrielle said in a kind voice. "You've been putting in a lot of effort. I believed you would benefit from some assistance.
• Clara narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “Gabrielle, what do you want?”
• Gabrielle pretended to seem injured. Can't a colleague show generosity? I am aware of how difficult it can be to deal with all of this pressure.
• Clara firmly refused to comply, saying, "I'll manage."
• Gabrielle smiled mischievously and leaned in a little. It's not necessary for you to accomplish it alone. I has... resources. Links. I might be able to ease your burden.
• With a suspicious tone in her voice, Clara cocked her head. "What's the catch?"
• Gabrielle's smile persisted, but her face darkened. "No catch. Please do me a small favor when the time comes.
• As Clara considered her alternatives, the tension between them increased. Every gut told me that there would be a high cost if I accepted Gabrielle's offer.
• At last, Clara stated in a firm voice, "I'll pass." "I prefer to fight for what I deserve."
• Gabrielle's eyes hardened, but her grin remained constant. "Adjust yourself. Don't claim I didn't warn you, though.
• Gabrielle's final remarks halted Clara in her tracks as she turned to go. Clara, you'll regret this. Not as long as you think.
• Clara's discomfort persisted even after the elevator doors closed behind her. Her sense that Gabrielle's threat was more than just words and that the game she was playing had just gotten much riskier was something she couldn't get rid of.