The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the sleek, modern villa. The atmosphere was hot and heavy, the air thick with the promise of a storm, though it remained calm for now. Addison sat at the large, marble dining table, a half-empty glass of water in front of her, while Justin paced in front of the wall-sized windows that looked out onto the turquoise waters of Saint Martin.
His movements were sharp and purposeful, and his mind was clearly elsewhere. He had been like this all day, consumed with a singular obsession: finding Katrina Sawyer.
Addison watched him from where she sat, her arms crossed in front of her. There was something almost magnetic about his intensity, the way he seemed to command the space around him without even trying. It made her stomach churn, but she couldn't look away.
"So, how do we play this?" Justin's voice was low, almost too casual, but Addison could hear the edge beneath it. His gaze flicked at her briefly before returning to the view. "Katrina's not exactly the type to take kindly to a direct approach."
Addison shifted in her seat, finally pushing the glass away from her. She had been waiting for this moment, for Justin to start asking questions instead of making demands. It was the one chance she might have to prove herself, to show him that she wasn't just some glorified assistant.
She uncrossed her arms slowly, leaning forward slightly. "You can't just corner her, Justin. She's too smart for that. She knows what's at stake. If you try to approach her directly, you'll push her further away."
Justin chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "I'm not an idiot, Addison. I've been in this game long enough to know how to handle people. But Katrina's different. She's…" He trailed off, searching for the right word. "... elusive."
"I know. That's why we need a subtler approach." Addison stood up, moving toward the large island in the center of the kitchen. She wasn't sure why, but she felt like the space was suffocating. "We can't afford to spoil her. But we can create a situation where she feels like meeting you is her idea."
Justin shot her a glance, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Go on."
Addison took a breath. This wasn't the kind of thing she usually dealt with. She had spent most of her life solving technical problems, not people problems. But this? This was something different. She couldn't quite explain why, but she felt a sense of urgency pressing against her chest. This wasn't just about helping Pete keep his job anymore. This was bigger.
"We need to get on her radar without it seeming like we're interested in her work. People like Katrina—highly intelligent, fiercely independent—don't respond well to direct pressure. But they do respond to curiosity. The trick is to make her curious about you, about what you're offering, without letting her feel like it's a business transaction."
"And how do you propose we do that?" Justin crossed his arms, clearly skeptical. His gaze was focused on her now, almost too intense.
Addison hesitated. She didn't have a concrete plan—nothing specific—but she knew the fundamentals. She had learned them in her years of navigating difficult situations at work. People didn't like being cornered, but they did like feeling powerful. If she could make Katrina feel like she had the upper hand, she could draw her in.
"Start with something she cares about. She's a big believer in sustainability, right? There's always a way to approach these things from the right angle. You could arrange for a meeting about something related to her interests. Maybe a charity event or an environmental initiative you're involved in. Get her thinking about her values, about how meeting you aligns with those values."
Justin frowned. "A charity event? Are you kidding? This is a business deal, not some dinner party."
Addison ignored the sarcasm. "It's not about the event; it's about the approach. You don't want to show her that you're interested in the patent from the get-go. Make it about something else entirely, something she cares about, and then slowly—very slowly—lead the conversation in the direction you need."
"And what makes you think she'll just fall for this?" Justin's voice was sharp now, his eyes cold.
"Because people like Katrina can't resist the chance to prove that they know better," Addison said, the words coming easily now. She could almost picture it in her head—the slow shift in Katrina's demeanor as the conversation began to turn, the glint of interest in her eyes when she realized what was at stake. "She'll think she's in control, even when she's not. That's how we make it work."
There was silence for a moment as Justin studied her, his eyes piercing, assessing. Addison held his gaze, her own steady despite the tight knot of nerves in her stomach. She had no real experience with this kind of high-stakes negotiation, but she was sure of one thing: Justin needed her help. If he didn't see that, it was only a matter of time before things fell apart.
Finally, Justin broke the silence, his voice low and dismissive. "I don't have time for your games, Addison. I'm not here to play around with charity events and small talk. I want that patent, and I want it now."
Addison felt a surge of frustration rise within her, but she kept it in check. She could feel the weight of his gaze, the condescending way he regarded her. He wasn't interested in what she had to say unless it suited his needs.
"Fine," she said, her voice cool. "But if you want to get what you want from Katrina, you'll have to change your approach. You can't just force her into a corner. You'll need patience, and you'll need subtlety. She'll respond to respect. So far, you've done nothing but make her a target."
Justin's expression hardened, his jaw tightening in that way it always did when he was angry. "I'll decide how I handle it," he snapped. "And you'll stay out of it unless I ask for your opinion."
Addison stood there for a moment, fighting the urge to roll her eyes, but instead she nodded curtly.
"Of course, Mr. Ross," she said, her tone flat.
Justin shot her a look that made her blood run cold before turning on his heel and striding out of the room without another word.
Addison exhaled, her shoulders slumping. This wasn't going to be easy. Justin Ross wasn't going to change, not unless he had no other choice. But she had seen enough to know that her role here was far from just a background task. If she wanted to get out of this unscathed, she would have to play the game her way—carefully, strategically.
And she wasn't sure if she was ready for that. But she had no choice. She couldn't afford to fail now.