"Emily, about what you're doing," he started, his tone somewhat stern.
"This sneaky journalist approach, digging into my past, isn't going to get you anywhere."
Emily looked taken aback by his harsh tone and quietly replied.
"I'm just doing my job...
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***Deadline Pressure***
Amy sat in her office, engrossed in her research about Alex Carrington's past. Scattered around her desk were newspaper clippings, articles, and photos, all relating to him.
The more she learned about the elusive millionaire, the more complicated the puzzle seemed to become.
Suddenly, her office door swung open with a dramatic flourish. The familiar scent of an overbearing perfume wafted in, instantly making her stomach churn.
Olivia Grant stood in the doorway, her face twisted into a cold, angry expression.
"Ms Turner," Olivia began, her icy tone piercing the silence.
"I find your lack of professionalism last night deeply troubling. You were there to observe and investigate, not to socialise with the subject."
Amy met her gaze evenly, holding back her urge to argue.
"I assure you, Ms Grant, I was only trying to gain a deeper understanding of Mr Carrington's social interactions," Amy said, keeping her voice steady.
"And what did you learn? That he has a soft spot for waitresses?" Olivia spat out, her sarcasm evident.
Amy gritted her teeth, choosing to ignore the barb.
"I have gathered some useful insights," she said vaguely.
Olivia's glare intensified.
"I hired you because you were the best in your field. If you continue to mix your personal feelings with your professional duties, I might have to reconsider my decision and pull out the case."
Amy felt a jolt of panic. The investigation was her only chance to save her career, the one-year period her father had given her ticking away. She needed more time.
"Ms Grant, I assure you that my personal feelings will not interfere with my work," Amy pleaded, her eyes pleading for understanding.
"Just give me a little more time."
"Fine," Olivia said after a long pause. "But I need results, Ms Turner. Not excuses."
With a last disdainful look, Olivia turned on her heel and exited the office, leaving Amy alone with her growing worries and the daunting task ahead.
Amy leaned back in her chair, her mind buzzing with countless thoughts. She let her gaze fall on the picture of a young Alex Carrington, part of a newspaper clipping about the rising stars in the business world.
"I've been looking at the present and near past, but maybe...," Amy murmured to herself, her fingers tracing the edge of the photograph.
"Maybe the answers I'm looking for lie further back, in a time before all this," she mused aloud, waving a hand around the room filled with articles and reports about Alex's achievements and scandals.
