Silent Claim

"Please don't say that, Mr. Sterling. I was only doing my job," Gemma replied, feigning innocence as if she'd missed his implication entirely.

"Mm," he acknowledged tonelessly.

"May I join you the day after tomorrow?" Gemma pressed, eager to seize the opening.

Vance glanced at her sideways, his eyes sweeping over her before pausing briefly. "Fine."

Gemma exhaled a silent sigh of relief, a tentativ