The elevator doors slid open, and Daniel's entire body tensed. Emma followed his gaze to the woman stepping into the office—tall, blonde, and radiating expensive perfume.
"Victoria." Daniel's voice was ice.
Emma's stomach dropped. The ex-fiancée.
Victoria's sharp eyes raked over Emma. "And you must be the new...assistant." The pause was deliberate.
Emma forced a smile. "Emma Carter. Temporary title." She extended a hand.
Victoria ignored it, turning to Daniel. "We need to talk. Alone."
Daniel's hand settled on Emma's lower back—a silent claim. "Anything you have to say can be said in front of Emma."
Victoria's laugh was brittle. "How...modern." She dropped a file on Emma's desk. "The Kensington deal. I'm taking it back."
Emma's fingers tightened around her pen. That was her project.
Daniel stepped forward. "That's not your call."
"Funny." Victoria's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Neither was breaking our engagement, yet here we are."
The office had gone dead silent.
Emma cleared her throat. "Mr. Sterling has a meeting in five." She held Victoria's gaze. "Shall I walk you out?"
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then Victoria smirked. "Oh, Daniel. You always did like them feisty."
As the elevator doors closed behind her, Daniel exhaled. "You okay?"
Emma straightened her blazer. "Just wondering how much HR paperwork this will cost us."
Daniel's lips twitched. "Worth it."