Chapter 143

**Summer's POV**

The sleek sports car sliced through early morning traffic with surprising ease. I clutched my bag tightly, stealing glances at the dashboard clock every few seconds.

"Would you relax?" Brandon said, his hands casually resting on the steering wheel. "I told you that you won't be late."

"Easy for you to say," I muttered. "You're the boss. I'm the new girl who can't afford to make a bad impression on day two."

That's when I finally paid attention to how we were cutting through traffic like it was standing still, Brandon's hands moving with precision as he navigated between cars with an almost supernatural awareness.

I suddenly understood what he'd meant earlier. With Brandon behind the wheel, time and space seemed to bend to his will.

As we approached the final intersection before Stark Tower. I checked the time again. Fifteen minutes to spare. But as we got closer, panic suddenly gripped me.

"Stop the car," I said suddenly.

Brandon threw me a confused look."What?"

"Pull over. Right now." I glanced nervously at the looming tower ahead.

He complied, smoothly guiding the car to the curb a block from Stark Tower.

"You need to get out," I said, already unbuckling my seatbelt. "I can't show up with you! People will notice. They'll talk."

Brandon stared at me for a long moment, then chuckled. "You're kicking me out of the car?"

"Yes! Now hurry up before someone sees us!"

With exaggerated slowness, Brandon opened his door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Through the window, I could see him standing there,hands in his pockets, an amused smirk playing on his lips as I pulled away from the curb.

By the time I reached the Projects Division, I was practically jogging down the hallway, my injured foot protesting with each step.

I made it to my desk with seconds to spare, dropping into my chair just as Leo Schmidt emerged from his office.

"Director Schmidt!" I greeted, straightening the items on my desk.

Leo gave me a once-over, his expression unimpressed. "You're late."

My jaw dropped. "I'm not late! It's exactly nine o'clock!"

He cut me off with a sharp gesture. "In the Projects Dvision, we expect everyone to arrive at least ten minutes early. You wouldn't know since it's your second day, but now you do. Don't make this mistake again."

I blinked, caught completely off guard. "Yes, Director Schmidt."

"I don't care who you are or what traffic problems you encountered,"he continued sternly. "This is a workplace with rules. No excuses. Understood?11

I nodded,swallowing my protest. "I understand. I'll be earlier tomorrow."

Leo's expression softened marginally. "Good. Now come with me."

Inside his office, Leo gestured to a large stack of folders on his desk."These are for you. Review them today."

I approached the desk, eyeing the towering pile. "Are these all your previous projects?"

He nodded. "Most have faced similar challenges. Read through them first."

"Wait," I said, the implication suddenly hitting me. "Are you saying you want me to join this project?"

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem?"

"It's just... I just started here. I've barely worked on projects of this scale before."

"Not having you lead it," he clarified. "Having you participate. Unless you're not interested?"

"No! I mean yes! I'm definitely interested!" The words tumbled out of me.

Leo's expression remained neutral, but I detected a hint of approval. "This project is a priority for the company. It requires a team. Your performance yesterday showed promise. Your ideas may lack refinement, but you're patient and attentive to detail."

Warmth bloomed in my chest at his assessment. "Thank you! I'll try my best,I promise."

"Good." He gestured toward the door. "Now get started."

I made my way back to my desk, arms straining under the weight of the folders. As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Heather Bell, who was carrying a steaming cup of coffee.

"Sorry!" I exclaimed, stepping back just in time.

Heather's eyes immediately zeroed in on the stack of folders in my arms.Her expression shifted subtly-a flash of what looked like jealousy before she composed herself.

Once seated, I began sifting through the materials. My eyes widened as I realized what I was looking at-these weren't just any project files,but detailed records of Leo's personal achievements. This was practically a goldmine.

I was so absorbed in my reading that I almost missed my phone vibrating.James's name flashed on the screen.

"Hello?" I answered quietly.

"Mrs. Stark," James's voice came through. "It's James."

I glanced around quickly. "James, do you need something?"

"Could you possibly step outside? I'm right outside."

I slipped out to the hallway where James was waiting, holding a paper bag that smelled deliciously of fresh pastries.

"Mrs. Stark, Mr. Stark asked me to bring you breakfast." He held out the bag with a formal little bow.

I shook my head, "James, I've told you to call me Summer at work. And there are rules against eating at our desks. You should take this back."

James's expression crumpled into one of genuine distress. "Miss Taylor,you're putting me in an impossible position. Mr. Stark specifically ordered me to buy you breakfast. He even threatened my bonus. Could you please...

"Stop!" I held up a hand, a headache already forming. "Look, if I take that breakfast in there now, Director Schmidt will definitely see it. Then I'll be in trouble on my second day."

"What should we do, then?" He looked genuinely torn.

"You eat it." I said decisively, already turning to leave. "I need to get back to work!"

Back at my desk, I had barely settled in when Heather sidled up with an expression of barely contained curiosity.

"So, Summer," she began, leaning in conspiratorially, "what's really going on between you and James? Are you two dating?"

I raised an eyebrow."No."

"Come on," she pressed. "You can téll me. Why else would he personally escort you on your first day and then bring you breakfast today? James must be your boyfriend,right?"

I kept my expression neutral. "We're not dating. We're just relatives. My family knows he works at Stark Group and asked him to look out for me.But I got this job on my own merits."

Heather's eyes narrowed skeptically."Is that so?"

"Don't you two have work to do?" Leo's voice made us both jump. He stood a few feet away, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

"Get back to your desks.Now."

The rest of the day passed in a productive blur. I found myself genuinely impressed with Stark Group's work environment-everything ran with precision and purpose, a stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere at Fortune Corp. By the end of the day, I had carefully packed up Leo's materials to take home for further study.

As I was preparing to leave, my phone rang. Brandon.

"Done for the day?" he asked when I picked up.

"Mmm-hmm," I confirmed, already smiling at the sound of his voice.

"Let's meet in the parking garage. We'll go out for dinner and catch a movie afterward."

My mood immediately brightened. "Sounds perfect! I'll head down now."

As I ended the call, I noticed Heather passing by my desk. She'd clearly overheard my side of the conversation, and the change in my tone hadn't escaped her notice.

"Boyfriend?" she asked, eyebrows raised suggestively.