Page 13 of Exposed

“Should we continue even making more products? Is it worth wasting money?” Danielle inquired, flipping through the photos of lipsticks and foundation bottles with markings of tampered ingredients.

“I think it’s something we should consider. I can’t tell you how to run your company, Danielle.”

“Danielle, if you want to put a pause on things, let me know,” Zoe advised.

“Did you watch any surveillance video?” Elijah questioned.

“Emmanuel just installed hidden cameras in the lab. The general videos you have only filmed the entrance and exits. We needed something for every corner in the walls,” I replied.

“I hate that it’s come to this. I don’t want my employees to feel like we’re spying on them,” Danielle said firmly, tapping her pen on the desk.

“I agree with Danielle. We can’t overstep and interrupt the workflow,” Elijah commented.

“The cameras are small and were installed at night after the employees left.”

“The photoshoot went well, Zoe, we can move forward with everything. I want to have a celebration dinner with everyone to celebrate the campaign. How is the launch party going?” Danielle questioned.

“I have a guest list of a hundred people; I know you wanted it to be intimate. Are we still doing the red carpet?” Zoe inquired.

“D, what do you think?” Danielle asked.

Looking over the information Zoe emailed to us, I scanned through the logistics and nodded my head.

“Emmanuel will contact you, Zoe, to fine-tune some things, I know this is important to Danielle and Raven Cosmetics. Let me have a little time doing a walk through. When is dinner?”

“Tomorrow,” Danielle responded.

“Okay, we can revisit after dinner. I need to head out and check in on Lauren.”

“How are things with you and Lauren?” Zoe questioned.

I closed my folder and computer, glanced between Danielle and Elijah. “What have you heard about, Zoe?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I want to hear your version of events.”

“Twilight has been talking shit, I see.” I stopped mid-stride, eyebrows slanted in a frown.

All three of them cracked up in laughter.

“Shooter, come on. I didn’t tell Zoe anything when she sent over the details of what security they need,” Mark remarked.

“Leave me out of this,” Zoe said, biting her lip to stifle a grin.

“I’ll leave you three to talk about my love life behind my back. I have real work to do.”

I wandered out of the conference room and headed toward the exit. As I neared the elevator, I saw Lauren in her office. All of the offices had clear glass; nothing could be hidden even if you wanted it to. I checked the time because I thought Emmanuel had told me she’d be working from home today.

Heading in her direction, I tapped on the door, not waiting for her to call me inside.

“First, you don’t have elevator etiquette; now you walk into rooms without being invited,” Lauren said, standing up from her desk. Admiring her presence caused every hair on my scalp to stand at attention, every skin cell tingled, and warmth spread across my chest. I needed to focus and not let another pretty face fool me.

“I had a meeting down the hall, and I’d planned to go to your place. Emmanuel said you were working from home. Who brought you here?” I questioned, meeting her halfway, sliding my hands in my pockets.

“Novah dropped me off, and I did start working from home, but it was boring, and I wanted to see if I could get some shots of the lab for a few posts. I’m working on something for my fans.”

“Did Emmanuel follow you up here?” I inquired.

“Are you always this uptight? All work, never taking a break, Dominic.”

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