"Sir, I'm on Route 403. There's been a multi-car pileup ahead, and traffic's completely gridlocked. I have the original authorization documents for Project K with Atlas Energy that you need this afternoon, but I won't get there for at least two hours."
I frowned. The Atlas CEO was taking off in forty minutes. Not even close to enough time.
And Project K was highly classified—couldn't be couriered, couldn't let strangers near it. David was the current holder, but he was stuck on Route 403...
My mind raced through alternatives when my phone screen lit up with a video call request—Olivia.
I answered. "What is it?"
Olivia's face appeared on screen. "David just messaged me about the situation. He's out of options. Isn't there a backup copy at Blackwood Manor? I'm about three miles from the estate right now. I can grab the file—thirty minutes round trip, plenty of time."
I was silent for two seconds. Project K clearance in the entire team was limited to me, David, and Olivia. Of course I knew there was a backup at the manor, but send Olivia there? Given how delicate things were with Natalie right now, it didn't seem wise.
But work-wise, it was the only option.
"Fine. David will give you the safe location and combination," I agreed. "Get the file and head straight to the office."
Someone had to retrieve the file, the person with clearance was nearby, Olivia would be in and out in under ten minutes.Natalie was probably napping right now—they wouldn't even cross paths.
On the line, Olivia's reassuring voice came through.
"Don't worry, I'll grab the file and leave. Won't disturb anyone."
Chapter Twenty-Five
Natalie
I didn't expect to see Olivia at Blackwood Manor.
I'd been about to nap when the baby started doing gymnastics, so I decided to head downstairs to the glass conservatory for some air. Six months pregnant, I moved at sloth speed.
Passing through the main hall, I caught voices from the front entrance. Joseph and the maids were never around at this hour. Curious, I turned toward the sound.
That's when I saw Olivia.
She wore a crisp white suit and pearl earrings, standing beneath that massive Impressionist painting in the foyer, head tilted slightly as she spoke to Joseph. He bent forward, respectful, almost familiar. Had Olivia been here before? At least this was my first time seeing her at Blackwood Manor. But then again, she and Richard were college friends—why wouldn't she have been here?
"Natalie?" Olivia spotted me first. A perfect social smile bloomed on her face as she walked over, eyes dropping to myswollen belly. "I'm here to pick up an urgent document for Richard. Hope I'm not disturbing your rest."
"Miss Carter." I nodded, glancing at the folder in her hands. "I thought David handled these things." God, I surprised myself with how calm I sounded.
Honestly, it felt terrible.
But standing in this manor, especially while staying by Richard's side, facing someone I despised, I managed to maintain some courtesy, as if the champagne incident had never happened.
"David's stuck in traffic. I was in the area, so I came to grab this rush contract for Richard." She explained, then turned to Joseph with easy familiarity. "That '90 Margaux Richard keeps in the wine cellar—he can use it for the next business dinner. He mentioned Mr. Eisenberg likes it."
Joseph nodded. "Of course, Miss Carter. I'll make a note."
Olivia didn't just know what documents Richard needed urgently—she clearly knew his safe combination, what was in his wine cellar, and when to serve it. Her ease here made me uncomfortable, as if she were the lady of the house.
A maid needed something, and Joseph stepped away.
"You're looking well, Natalie." Olivia's attention returned to me, scanning my face, my loose maternity dress, my swollen feet in house slippers. "Pregnancy must be exhausting. Richard always says you need rest, so we've all tried not to intrude." With those words, she drew a circle, and I stood outside it.
She tilted her head. Her necklace caught the light. That necklace—platinum chain with a pigeon blood ruby, cushion cut, rare, surrounded by diamonds—my gaze locked onto it.
I knew that necklace.
