Chapter 7: The Rival Emerges

Emma's week had been a whirlwind. Between meetings with senior project leaders and the aftermath of the company dinner, she hardly had time to catch her breath. Despite the busy schedule, she found herself thinking often about Liam's words, replaying the way he'd encouraged her at the dinner. It had felt personal, almost as though he truly believed in her. The thought gave her a quiet confidence, but it also raised new questions she couldn't quite answer.

That morning, as she made her way to her desk, she noticed a group gathered around a newcomer's workstation, their voices animated. Alex Carter, the company's latest hire, was a young and charming executive in the marketing department. He was tall, sharp-dressed, and had an easy smile that seemed to draw people in effortlessly. Emma had only seen him from a distance, but she'd heard about his reputation—smart, driven, and good-looking enough to turn heads.

As she took her seat, Alex caught her eye and flashed a friendly smile. "Hey there, you must be Emma Walker. I've heard a lot about you."

Emma blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Oh, um, I hope all good things," she replied, smiling back.

"All good," he assured her, offering his hand. "I'm Alex. I just started last week."

Emma shook his hand, her smile widening. "Nice to meet you, Alex. Welcome to the team."

He leaned casually against her cubicle wall, his posture relaxed. "Thanks. I hear you're one of the few people in the company who can simplify data and make it sound interesting. That's impressive."

Emma laughed, feeling a bit flustered. "I don't know about that. I just… do my best with what I know."

"Well, I think you'll be a tough act to follow," he said, grinning. "Maybe you can give me a few pointers?"

Emma chuckled, brushing off the compliment. "I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask. But feel free to reach out if you ever want a hand."

"Deal," Alex replied, his smile lingering as he moved to his own desk.

Throughout the day, Alex would occasionally stop by her cubicle, asking for her input on small projects and striking up casual conversations. His charm was undeniable, and his friendly demeanor made it easy to talk with him. Emma appreciated the camaraderie, though she noticed a few of her colleagues exchanging curious glances each time he visited her.

---

Later that afternoon, as Emma was finishing up a report, her phone buzzed with a message from Mia.

*Mia:* *So… have you met the new guy? He seems VERY interested in you 😉*

Emma's eyes widened. *Emma:* *What? No way. He's just being friendly.*

*Mia:* *Girl, he stops by your desk every other hour. Believe me, it's more than 'friendly.'*

Emma glanced over her shoulder, feeling self-conscious. She looked across the office, where Alex was engrossed in his work, and wondered if there might be some truth to Mia's words. He had been unusually attentive, and though she enjoyed his company, she reminded herself that they were just coworkers.

Or so she thought.

---

That evening, Liam sat in his office, looking over the day's reports. He'd heard the chatter about the new marketing executive, Alex Carter, a promising recruit from a well-regarded firm. He respected Alex's credentials, but he'd noticed that Alex's interest seemed to extend beyond his role.

Liam hadn't paid much attention until he saw Alex in the break room that afternoon, laughing with Emma over something she'd said. The sight stirred a strange, unfamiliar feeling within him, one he couldn't immediately identify. There was something about the way Alex looked at Emma, the casual ease between them, that unsettled him.

Trying to shake off the feeling, Liam refocused on his work, but he found his thoughts wandering back to the scene. Emma's laughter, Alex's lingering gaze. The image replayed in his mind, and for reasons he couldn't fully understand, it left him feeling… off balance.

---

The next day, Liam's curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to take a detour through Emma's department. As he walked past, he saw her at her desk, speaking animatedly with Alex. They were both laughing, and Emma looked relaxed in a way he rarely saw her in formal meetings. It was a simple scene, yet it stirred a complex mixture of emotions.

"Mr. Harlow," Holly said, bringing him out of his thoughts as she caught up with him, holding a stack of documents. "Are you heading to the conference room?"

"Yes," he replied, his tone more curt than usual. As they walked, he couldn't shake the image of Emma and Alex together, a nagging thought that refused to leave him.

---

Later that week, Emma was working late, finishing up a last-minute project, when Alex approached her desk.

"Working late again, huh?" he asked, pulling up a chair beside her.

Emma smiled, grateful for the company. "Seems like there's always more to do."

"Well, if you ever want to blow off some steam, let me know," he said, grinning. "There's a jazz bar around the corner I've been wanting to check out. It's supposed to be low-key, good for unwinding."

Emma's cheeks warmed. "That sounds nice. I'll keep it in mind."

Before she could respond further, Liam walked by, stopping as he saw them. His expression remained neutral, but Emma felt a subtle tension in the air.

"Miss Walker, still here?" he asked, his gaze shifting briefly to Alex before settling back on her.

Emma nodded, her voice a bit nervous. "Just finishing up, Mr. Harlow."

"Good. It's important to balance work and rest," he said, his tone calm but edged with something Emma couldn't quite place.

Alex cleared his throat, extending his hand. "Mr. Harlow, I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Alex Carter, the new marketing executive."

Liam shook his hand, his expression polite but distant. "Welcome to the team, Mr. Carter."

"Thank you," Alex replied, glancing at Emma with a friendly smile before walking away.

Liam lingered, watching him leave before turning back to Emma. "It's good to see you integrating with the team, Miss Walker. I'd hate to think your workload was becoming overwhelming."

Emma gave a slight smile, sensing the undercurrent in his words. "I'm managing just fine, thank you."

He nodded, his gaze softening. "Good to hear. Remember, if you need any support, my door is open."

As he walked away, Emma couldn't help but feel a faint thrill, a sense that his words carried a weight beyond simple professionalism. She glanced back at her screen, trying to refocus, but her thoughts lingered on Liam's unexpected appearance—and the look he'd given Alex.

---

That night, Liam returned home, his mind racing. He knew he had no right to feel possessive, no logical reason to care about Emma's interactions with Alex. Yet the thought of someone else capturing her attention, someone as charming and effortless as Alex, left him feeling… uneasy.

As he poured himself a glass of bourbon, he realized with startling clarity that he felt something for Emma. Something more than admiration or respect. The thought unsettled him, yet it also brought a strange sense of excitement.

For the first time in a long time, Liam Harlow found himself wanting something he couldn't control. And he wasn't sure what he was prepared to do about it.