"As for the fallout... whoever owns the project owns the consequences. Simple principle."

"Bullshit!" He jabbed a finger toward my face, shaking with rage. "When have I ever done the grunt work? It's always me coming up with creative direction and you handling execution!"

"And now you want to change the rules?"

"I'm telling you, if this proposal isn't ready today, neither of us survives this!"

"In the past, I helped you," I corrected him, my gaze cold. "But it wasn't my duty. It was a favor. And I'm done doing favors. Now, please let me work."

I turned back to my monitor, dismissing him completely.

William stood there, chest heaving, glare burning into the side of my head. After a long, tense moment, he spun and stormed toward the executive suite, slamming the door behind him.

Less than ten minutes later, my line rang. The secretary's voice was pure ice.

"Alex, Ms. Pruitt wants to see you. Immediately."

Here it comes.

I stood, straightened my collar, and walked the length of the office. Dozens of eyes tracked my movement, waiting for the execution.

I pushed open the heavy oak door.

Willow sat behind her massive desk, face a mask of suppressed fury. William stood to the side, arms crossed, wearing a smug wait-until-mom-hears-about-this expression.

"Alex! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Willow slapped her palm against the mahogany. "Why aren't you assisting William? The client is demanding that draft—do you not understand the urgency?"

She didn't wait for an answer. "This project is worth over a hundred million! If this deal collapses because of your refusal to cooperate, can you afford the consequences?"

Her accusations fired rapidly, framing the entire chaos as my personal failure.

I waited until she ran out of breath.

Then I smiled. Faint, but sharp enough to cut.

"Ms. Pruitt."

I met her gaze without flinching. "Yesterday, in the general meeting, you stated quite clearly that I wasn't responsible for any major projects. You said I was 'usually quite idle.'"

I gestured toward William.

"So I'm curious. How did responsibility for a hundred-million-dollar order suddenly land on the company's 'most idle' employee?"

A short, dry chuckle escaped me.

"That's a massive accusation, Ms. Pruitt. I'm afraid I'm not important enough to accept it."

Willow's expression froze. As if I'd slapped her.