Chloe barely flinched as Miley's gaze dragged from her head to her feet, sharp, assessing, dismissive.
The air between them was heavy with silent assumptions.
Another woman grasping at wealth. Another nobody trying to climb into privilege.
And with a kid, no less.
Miley barely kept the disdain from her tone.
"Do you have an appointment with Mr. Redgrave?"
Chloe exhaled lightly, shifting Carter's small fingers in her grasp.
"No. But I'm here to meet Mikael Redgrave. You can let him know Chloe is downstairs."
Miley didn't hide her skepticism.
"Please, if you don't have an appointment, make one first."
A pause.
Then—sharp, clipped, dripping with dismissal.
"Stop fantasizing that you can just meet our CEO."
Chloe fought the flicker of irritation that pressed against her ribs.
"Alright, I'll call him myself. Thank you, Miss."
Miley didn't even blink.
"Go ahead. Do you think I believe you? Stop daydreaming."
And then—before Chloe could even open her phone, before she could even process another breath, the sound of steady footsteps cut through the room.
Mikael Redgrave had arrived.
He had planned to take a break, maybe grab something sweet to clear the restless feeling in his chest.
But now—standing at the entrance of his VIP elevator, staring directly at his sister, hearing the words that had just left Miley's mouth—his thoughts collided all at once.
He inhaled sharply.
Then—firm, even, cutting through the air like steel.
"I never imagined we were hiring unprofessional and unaccommodating receptionists here."
Miley stiffened.
Chloe's breath stalled.
Mikael took another step forward, eyes locking onto Chloe's with a gaze that held something deeper—something unreadable.
"I think you're lost."
A pause.
Then—soft, controlled, laced with something unshaken.
"And I think I need to lead you back to where you belong."