POV — Catriona
I wasn't supposed to hear it.
The executive corridor outside Shawn's office is usually silent at 7:15 a.m.
Today, it isn't.
"—you're destabilizing the board."
That voice is Charles.
Calm. Measured. Not raised — which somehow makes it sharper.
I slow instinctively.
The door to Shawn's office is partially open.
"I'm improving performance," Shawn replies.
Cool. Unbothered.
"You're accelerating an intern into strategic exposure," Charles counters. "Publicly."
A pause.
"She earned it."
"That isn't the issue."
I shouldn't stay.
But I do.
Because they're talking about me.
"She's creating narrative," Charles continues. "Favoritism. Fast-tracking. Emotional bias."
Emotional.
My stomach tightens.
"She's creating results," Shawn says evenly.
"And results justify optics?"
Silence.
Then Shawn:
"I don't make decisions based on optics."
"You should," Charles replies softly. "The board does."
There it is.
This isn't about mentorship.
It's about perception.
"Pull her back," Charles says. "Reassign her under legal. Gradual exposure. It protects her."
Protects her.
Or removes her from Shawn.
"And you're concerned about her protection?" Shawn asks.
"I'm concerned about the firm."
Measured.
Strategic.
But I hear it.
The subtext.
Shawn's voice lowers slightly.
"I don't need advice on asset allocation."
Asset.
Again.
A beat of silence.
Then Charles:
"She's not an asset."
Another pause.
"She's a risk."
That lands like impact.
I step back before they can see me.
My pulse is steady — but something inside me sharpens.
Risk.
Interesting.
The door opens seconds later.
I straighten instantly.
Charles steps out first.
His eyes find mine.
He doesn't look surprised.
"You're early," he says smoothly.
"I prefer preparation over apology," I reply.
His mouth curves slightly.
"You should reconsider that preference."
He walks past me without waiting for a response.
Shawn appears in the doorway.
He looks exactly as he always does.
Controlled.
Untouched by conflict.
"Inside," he says.
I step in.
The air feels heavier than usual.
"Did I just become a liability?" I ask directly.
His gaze shifts to me.
Sharp.
"You were listening."
"I was walking."
"Answer the question."
There's a long pause.
Then:
"You've become visible."
"That wasn't the question."
His jaw tightens slightly.
Barely noticeable.
"Yes," he says finally. "You've become a risk."
The honesty is surgical.
"Because I performed?"
"Because you performed publicly."
I cross my arms.
"You said you reward competence."
"I do."
"Then don't retreat because it's inconvenient."
Silence.
The tension hums between us.
"You don't understand how this level operates," he says evenly.
"Then explain it."
He steps closer.
Not aggressive.
Not intimate.
But charged.
"At this level," he says quietly, "perception determines survival."
"And you're worried about perception?"
"I'm managing it."
"For yourself?" I ask.
A beat.
"For you."
That catches.
"I didn't ask for protection."
"No," he agrees. "You didn't."
"And I don't need it."
His eyes study me carefully.
"Confidence without awareness is dangerous."
"And caution without trust is weakness," I fire back.
That lands.
His gaze darkens — not anger.
Impact.
"Charles wants me reassigned," I say.
"Yes."
"Are you going to do it?"
Silence.
Measured.
Calculated.
"No."
One word.
Decisive.
The air shifts again.
"But understand this," he continues. "If pressure increases, I will choose stability."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning I will not allow you to compromise this firm."
There it is.
The boundary.
The hierarchy.
The truth.
I nod slowly.
"Then I'll make sure I'm indispensable."
His expression changes slightly.
Not softened.
Sharpened.
"Be careful," he says quietly.
"Of Charles?"
"No."
His gaze holds mine.
"Of becoming something worth fighting over."
That lands deeper than it should.
I don't respond.
Because I don't know if that was a warning—
Or a declaration.