Victoria's expression sharpened with interest. "You anticipated this?"
"Let's just say I wouldn't have been surprised Two years ago, let alone now," James replied. "The board always seemed more like a concession to corporate tradition than something you genuinely valued."
For a moment, Victoria studied him with an intensity that made him wonder if he'd overstepped. Then her expression softened fractionally.
"Most people would be shocked," she observed. "Concerned about checks and balances, corporate governance, all those MBA textbook concepts."
"I'm not most people," James said simply. "And Sharp Innovations has never operated like a conventional company. Your vision built this place."
Victoria tilted her head slightly, considering him. "So you approve of my decision?"
"It's not my place to approve or disapprove," James replied carefully. "But I understand it. Though I am curious about one thing—why tell me now?"
Victoria was silent for a moment, her gaze steady on his face. "Because as Chief Strategic Officer, you need to understand exactly what kind of company you're helping to lead. No illusions, no corporate theater."
The answer made perfect sense, yet James sensed there was more she wasn't saying—perhaps that she wanted to see if this revelation would change his perception of her. If he would judge her for consolidating power so completely.
"Thank you for your transparency," he said finally. "I appreciate knowing where decisions truly come from."
Victoria nodded, apparently satisfied with his response. "The Next technology project proved your strategic capabilities," she said, smoothly transitioning back to their earlier discussion.
The reference to his work with Next technology—the project Natalie Rivera had mentioned that morning—created an opening James decided to explore.
"Natalie openly mentioned this morning that you wouldn't let me intervene during last month's crisis, as you ordered but still I wonder why you left me out."
Victoria's expression became guarded. "The crisis required the CEO's visible leadership. I saw no use for your contribution. Implementation needed to come from the top."
"I understand that," James said carefully. "But I'm curious why you chose to promote me now, rather than acknowledging my contributions then."
Victoria was silent for a moment, studying him with an intensity that made James regret asking the question. When she finally spoke, her voice had softened almost imperceptibly.
"Timing, James. Recognition requires the right moment for maximum impact." She placed her empty coffee mug on the desk between them. "The crisis would have overshadowed your promotion. Now, it stands as its own accomplishment."
The answer was logical, strategic—so perfectly Victoria that James couldn't argue with its reasoning. Yet he sensed something else beneath her explanation, something she wasn't saying.
Victoria glanced at her watch. "I have another meeting in ten minutes. Is there anything else we need to cover today?"
The professional dismissal was clear, but James found himself reluctant to end their conversation. The brief moment when their fingers had touched had revealed a crack in Victoria's carefully maintained façade—one he wasn't ready to ignore.
"Just one thing," he said, rising from his chair. "Thank you for the trust you've placed in me with this promotion. I know you don't make such decisions lightly."
Victoria stood as well, maintaining the desk as a barrier between them. "Your performance earned the position. It's hardly a matter of trust."
"Isn't it?" James touched the platinum tiepin at his throat, drawing her gaze to it deliberately. "According to Diane in HR, there are only five of these in existence. You keep them in your private safe."
Victoria's eyes narrowed slightly. "Diane talks too much."
"She mentioned you handled all the details of my promotion personally. Implemented in under three hours."
"Efficiency is hardly noteworthy," Victoria countered, though her tone lacked its usual dismissive edge.
James took a step closer to the desk, closing some of the distance between them. "You arranged my office personally. No one else would have known how I organize my reference books by subject."
Victoria's posture stiffened. "I notice details. It's part of my job."
"It's more than that," James pressed gently. "This morning in the briefing, you gave me real authority. You shut down any questioning of my assessments. You arranged my office overnight. You fast-tracked security clearances. Those aren't just business decisions, Victoria."
The use of her first name—in their office interactions—hung in the air between them. Victoria's expression remained carefully controlled, but James detected the subtle acceleration of her breathing, the slight dilation of her pupils.
"Don't mistake business efficiency for anything personal," she said, echoing her words from yesterday when she'd first informed him of the promotion. "I need a strong Chief Strategic Officer. You were the logical choice."
James nodded, accepting her deflection for now. He knew pushing further would only cause her to retreat behind even higher walls. "Of course. Purely strategic."
He turned to leave, then paused at the door. "For what it's worth, I think it was the right business decision. We work well together."
Victoria remained standing behind her desk, her posture perfect as always. "Yes," she agreed, her voice softer than usual. "We do."
As James left her office, closing the door quietly behind him, he knew something fundamental had shifted between them. The brief touch, her unexpected reaction, the intensity of her gaze on his hands—these weren't the actions of someone viewing him as merely a valuable employee.
Victoria Sharp might insist his promotion was purely strategic, but the electricity that had charged the air when their fingers touched told a different story. And judging by the way she'd stared at his hands, perhaps she wasn't as immune to their connection as she wanted him to believe.
James touched the platinum tiepin once more, a small smile forming as he made his way back to his new office. The wall Victoria maintained was still there—perhaps even reinforced after her momentary lapse—but now he had seen definitive proof of what he'd long suspected: behind Victoria Sharp's icy CEO persona beat a heart capable of very human reactions.
The challenge would be getting her to admit it, not just to him, but to herself.