Page 98 of Claimed By The Other Brother

DAY 30

I need coffee. It's barely ten in the morning, but I've been in back-to-back meetings since seven and the espresso machine in the executive kitchen is calling my name.

I walk into the kitchen and stop. Scarlett is at the coffee station, laughing at something Mike is saying. He's leaning against the counter, animated, gesturing with his hands as he tells some story. She throws her head back, genuinely amused. The sound of her laughter fills the small space. My jaw tightens.

Mike says something else, and she swats his arm playfully.

"Stop, that's terrible."

"I'm serious!" Mike grins.

"You should have seen his face."

I force myself to move, walking to the espresso machine.

"Morning."

They both turn. Mike straightens.

"Mr. Blackwell. Morning."

Scarlett's smile fades slightly, her professional mask sliding back into place.

"Good morning."

I make my espresso, acutely aware of the shift in atmosphere. Mike makes some excuse about getting back to work and leaves. Scarlett finishes preparing her coffee in silence.

"You and Mike seem to get along well," I say, keepingmy tone neutral.

"He's been helpful getting me up to speed on the digital strategy." She adds cream to her cup.

"Very knowledgeable."

"Good." I take my espresso and leave before I say something I shouldn't.

Back in my office, I can't stop thinking about her laugh. Open, unguarded, genuine. She doesn't laugh like that with me.

DAY 45

Another late session. This time we're in my office reviewing media talking points for an upcoming interview I'm doing with a financial news outlet.

Scarlett sits across from me, pen in hand, tapping it against her notebook as she thinks.

"The question about corporate oversight is the dangerous one," she says.

"They're going to push on whether this represents systemic failure."

"And we pivot to the independent audit and the actions we're taking."

"Right, but—" She taps the pen faster. "—you need to acknowledge the concern first. Don't deflect immediately. Show you understand why investors are worried."

I lean back in my chair.

"You think I'm going to come across as defensive."

"I think you're going to come across as a CEOprotecting his company. Which you are. But you need to show empathy first." She meets my eyes.

"Acknowledge, then pivot. Don't just pivot."