The payback of Jeremy Xavier

23

The ride to the office was uneventful, though Jeremy's incessant humming filled the silence. Hope kept her gaze fixed on the passing cityscape, mentally bracing herself for whatever meetings ahead.

When they arrived at the towering glass building, Jeremy held the door open for her, offering a mock bow sarcastically, "After you, my lady."

Hope ignored his theatrics as she rolled her eyes, stepping inside and heading toward the elevators. The familiar hum of activity surrounded them—phones ringing, the chatter of coworkers, and the steady click of keyboards.

The elevator ride to the upper floor was tense, neither of them speaking now. Hope was focused on calming her nerves while Jeremy leaned casually against the wall with his hands shoved into his pockets.

The moment the elevator doors slid open, Hope froze. Ethan was standing just outside, his sharp suit freshly pressed and his smirk as infuriating as ever.

"Well, well," Ethan drawled, his eyes flicked between Hope and Jeremy. "If