Chapter 30

“You wanted to see me?” I asked as I stepped into Elias’s office, smoothing the front of my skirt. The polished door clicked softly behind me, and I met his gaze across the expanse of his desk.

He looked up from the stack of documents he was meticulously examining. “Yes, please sit down,” he replied without taking his eyes off the papers, his voice calm but insistent.

I moved to the sleek leather chair opposite him and lowered myself into it, smoothing my hands on my thighs before I spoke. “Is something wrong?” My heart gave an involuntary jolt. If he had second thoughts about our agreement, I’d rather know now than later.

He paused, set his pen down, and leaned back slightly. “Have you had any lunch?” he asked, watching me with an unreadable expression.

“No.” I shook my head. “Can you tell me what’s the problem?”

Elias reached for his desk phone, lifting the receiver to his ear and dialing without hesitation. “Yes, Annie? Send one of the assistants to