The silence inside the elevator was tense.
Aria stood stiffly between Julian, who was grinning way too much, and a receptionist who kept eyeballing her laptop bag like it might attack again.
Julian nudged her lightly. "I've cleared the lobby of fragile objects. You're safe to move now."
She sighed. "I wasn't trying to start a tech war."
"You did manage to hospitalize a CEO before breakfast. That's talent."
The elevator dinged. Top floor.
"Brace yourself," Julian said, stepping out with a dramatic flourish. "He's in rare form."
Adrian Westwood sat behind an intimidating desk in an even more intimidating office. Sleek, glass walls, expensive art, and not a speck of dust in sight. He didn't look up as they entered.
"Sit," he said flatly.
Aria obeyed, trying not to shrink.
"Are you aware that attacking an executive is not typical interview behavior?"
She winced. "It was an accident. I came to apologize again. And maybe offer to cover the bill?"
He finally looked at her, eyebrow raised. "Private specialist. Twelve grand an hour."
Her eyes widened. "I could maybe bake you cookies?"
A tiny pause. Was that the ghost of a smirk?
"I see sarcasm is your panic response," he said.
She blinked. "Only when I'm about to be sued."
Julian knocked. "Should I cancel the rest of her interview, or...?"
Aria turned quickly. "Wait—I still have a chance?"
Adrian tapped her file. "Your resume's decent. Let's see if you're better at marketing than aim."
Her mouth fell open. "I... thank you?"
"One-week trial," he said. "You start tomorrow. No laptops in flight."
Julian grinned behind her. "I'll get bubble wrap."
Later that evening…
Gramps was waiting at the kitchen table like a judgmental owl, arms crossed and cereal untouched.
"Well?" he asked.
"Well," Aria sighed, flopping into the chair opposite him. "I may have injured my future boss."
He raised an eyebrow. "Did he have it coming?"
"Probably. He wears power suits like armor."
Gramps snorted. "You got the job?"
"Trial run. One week. If I survive."
He nodded. "Good. Now unfreeze your credit cards?"
"Did you attend the Rohit Bhogle dinner?"
"I attended the restaurant."
He rolled his eyes but smiled. "You're impossible."
"That's why you love me."
"Only on weekdays."
She laughed, and for a brief moment, the chaos faded.