Upon hearing what Valentina just said.
Avery's face twitched. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out right away. She had expected to make Valentina flinch, maybe feel small, embarrassed even—but now?
She was the one standing in silence, biting back her frustration.
Valentina had struck deeper than she'd planned for.
Director of Sterling Design? It sounded like a joke at first. Like Valentina had just said something for show. But the calmness in her tone, the certainty in her eyes—it wasn't for attention. It was real.
Avery's hands curled slightly at her sides, She was angry now, Furious, even. Valentina wasn't just standing up for herself—she was making it impossible for Avery to get under her skin, and that alone was driving her crazy. This wasn't how the game was supposed to go, this wasn't how she thought it would turned out to be. Not at all.
But then something clicked.
Sterling Design…The name repeated in her mind again. This time slower. Clearer.
