His Dangerous Love On Ice Chapter 128: Olive's Pov

I lifted my head, squared my shoulders, and met her gaze directly.

"Yes," I said, my voice steady. "We haven't officially met. And it would be great working with you on this project."

I extended my hand, keeping my expression neutral.

Professional.

Sophia looked at my hand for a long moment before taking it. Her grip was firm. Too firm. Trying to prove something.

"My name is—"

"I already know your name," she said, releasing my hand and cutting me off with surgical precision. "The woman dating my brother Zane. Who still doesn't want to move on from her own ex."

The words hit the room like a bomb.

I heard someone—one of the other people at the table—inhale sharply.

But I kept my face blank. Calm.

This was exactly what she wanted. A reaction. Proof that she could get under my skin.

I wasn't going to give it to her.

"Actually," I said, turning away from her and walking toward the table, "I'm the Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at Hopkins Enterprise. Here to assess candidates for the AI Quantum brand partnership."

I sat down, crossing my legs and pulling out my tablet like this was just another business meeting.

That's when I finally looked at the other three people in the room.

A woman in her late forties stood at the front, holding a presentation remote. She was dressed impeccably—designer suit, perfect hair, the kind of polish that came from decades in corporate leadership.

"Miss Monroe," she said, her voice commanding attention. "I'm Nina Rodriguez, lead supervisor for this project. You'll report everything directly to me."

She gestured to the two other women at the table.

"This is Jessica Park and Stephanie Laurent. They'll be working alongside you throughout the assessment process."

Jessica gave me a small, professional smile. She looked young, maybe mid-twenties, with dark hair pulled back in a severe bun and glasses that made her look studious.

Stephanie, on the other hand, stared at me with barely concealed hostility.

She was blonde, probably early thirties, and everything about her body language screamed that she was one of Sophia's people. The way she sat slightly closer to Sophia than necessary. The way she looked at me like I was an insect she wanted to squash.

Great.

So I had Sophia actively trying to destroy me and at least one of my co-workers already hating my guts.

This project was going to be a nightmare.

"We'll be starting with the creative brief development," Nina continued, pulling up a presentation on the screen behind her. "The AI Quantum campaign is revolutionary—it's merging artificial intelligence with athletic performance wear in a way that's never been done before. We need candidates who can embody both the cutting-edge technology and the raw athletic power the brand represents."

She clicked through several slides showing concept art, brand positioning, target demographics.

"Miss Monroe," she said, turning to look at me directly. "Have you ever run an advertising campaign before?"

I opened my mouth to respond.

"No," Sophia cut in before I could speak, her voice dripping with false concern. "I don't believe she has. In fact, she just got her new position. She's only ever worked with computers and numbers. Never been involved in anything that has to do with celebrity lifestyles except, of course, dating my brother."

The room went silent.

I felt my face heat up, but I kept my expression neutral.

Jessica looked uncomfortable. Nina's eyebrows raised slightly. Stephanie smirked.

I took a breath and turned to look at Nina directly, ignoring Sophia completely.

"You're correct that I haven't worked on advertising campaigns," I said calmly. "My background is in strategic development and financial analysis. However, I'm a fast learner, and working with numbers requires a high level of analytical thinking and attention to detail. Skills that translate directly to assessing brand fit and market positioning."

I held Nina's gaze steadily.

"This project won't be an issue for me."

Nina studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

"Alright," she said. "Then let's dive in. We need preliminary brand design concepts for the shoot by end of week. Miss Monroe, since you're new to this process, why don't you start by—"

"I think that's going to be impossible," Stephanie interrupted, leaning forward with that same smirk on her face. "I don't think Mr. Williams Mercer would be happy to see someone who isn't at the appropriate level handling something this important. This is a career-defining deal. High-profile enough to create massive impact and push hockey to another level internationally."

She paused, looking at me like I was a child who'd wandered into an adult conversation.

"Maybe it's best if she walks alongside us. Handles simpler administrative tasks. Observes and learns from those of us who actually have experience with projects of this magnitude."

I couldn't fail to notice how her eyes flickered to Sophia when she said it. Checking for approval.

Nina turned to me, her expression unreadable.

"Miss Monroe?"

I could feel everyone's eyes on me.

This was a test. They were waiting to see if I'd back down. If I'd accept being sidelined and diminished.

If I'd let them turn me into an assistant on my own project.

"With all due respect," I said, my voice calm but firm, "I was specifically requested by AI Quantum to lead this assessment. Hopkins Enterprise partnered with your company based on my track record of successful strategic partnerships. And Mr. Sinclair personally assigned me to this project because he trusts my judgment."

I looked directly at Stephanie.

"I'm here to do a job. And I intend to do it to the highest standard. Whether you think I'm qualified or not is irrelevant. The client specifically asked for me."

Stephanie's smirk faltered.

Sophia's jaw tightened.

Nina's lips curved into what might have been the ghost of a smile.

"Good," Nina said simply. "Then let's get to work. Miss Monroe, you'll review the candidate profiles and start scheduling preliminary meetings. Sophia and Stephanie, you'll work on the creative brief. Jessica, you're on logistics and coordination."

She clicked off the presentation.

"This is an intricate job. Quantum AI wants the best for this project. Everyone works together. Hand in hand. No drama. No territorial bullshit. Are we clear?"

Everyone nodded.

"Excellent. I expect updates by end of day."

Nina gathered her materials and walked out, leaving the four of us in charged silence.

The second the door closed, Sophia stood up.

"Well," she said, her voice light but her eyes cold. "This is going to be interesting."

She walked past me, deliberately bumping my shoulder as she went.

Stephanie followed her like a loyal puppy.

Jessica lingered for a moment, giving me an apologetic look.

"Don't take it personally," she said quietly. "Sophia's been... difficult lately. Family stuff."

"Thanks," I said.

She nodded and left.

I sat there alone in the conference room, staring at my tablet.

I hadn't just jumped into a hot pan.

I'd walked straight into a frying pan.

And I'd just sat there and watched myself get pushed around.

But not anymore.

If Sophia wanted a war, she was going to get one.

I pulled up my email and started composing my assessment schedule.

Starting with Zane Mercer.

Tomorrow morning. 9 AM.

My heart was pounding as I hit send.

Let's see who breaks first.