Lia felt Vanessa's stare long before the woman stepped closer. It wasn't hostility—no, it was something far sharper. Possessive. Calculating.
"So," Vanessa said smoothly, her eyes never leaving Lia's, "Leo doesn't usually bring company. Especially not… employees."
Lia went rigid. "I'm here to work."
"Work?" Vanessa laughed lightly. "Sweetheart, you have no idea what it means to 'work' with Leo.
Leo exhaled sharply. "Vanessa, that's enough."
But Vanessa wasn't done. She turned to him, her eyebrows raised. "You're investigating internal sabotage, and you bring her? A rookie?"
Lia's heart lurched. How did she know?
Leo's eyes darkened. "You've been listening again."
Vanessa smiled—slow, victorious. "I own shares, remember? I hear things. And this little… partnership?" She glanced at Lia with thinly veiled contempt. "It's reckless."
Lia finally spoke, her voice steady despite the pounding in her chest. "If I'm such a bad choice, why are you threatened?"
The smile vanished from Vanessa's face.
Leo's eyes flickered with surprise—and something like approval.
Vanessa stepped closer, her perfume sharp in the air. "Listen, sweetheart. Leo doesn't work with people who can't handle pressure. You're out of your depth. And when things get dangerous—"
"She won't be alone," Leo cut in, his tone ice-cold.
The resulting silence was electric.
Vanessa's head leaned sideways as she examined him. "You're protecting her?"
Leo didn't respond, but his silence was sufficient.
Vanessa's expression hardened. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you." She leaned in closer, whispering just loud enough, "Danger doesn't care who you're trying to impress."
With that, she was gone, heels echoing like a countdown.
Lia released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Does she always… do that?"
Leo looked at the door Vanessa had disappeared through, his jaw clenched.
"She's worse when she's scared."
Lia blinked. "Scared of what?"
He turned to her, eyes locking on hers without guile: intense. "Scared of losing."