Page 3 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

“Perhaps we could chat about some of your strategies later,” Nadine suggested, her tone mellowing as she edged closer. Therewas a hint of something electric in the air between them, which startled Cassandra.

She beat me to it…

Cassandra found herself responding, “Of course. Just send me an email, my PA will give you my address, and we can set something up.” She felt formal, detached, and not nearly as engaging as she wanted to be.

But, at the same time, taking back control, and that was what mattered most.

As Nadine smiled, an unspoken suggestion of perhaps more passed between them, and Cassandra licked her lips.

“Great! I’ll do that. I truly admire what you’ve built, Cassandra.”

Nadine’s words lingered in the air long after she turned away, leaving a spark of warmth behind. Cassandra watched her go, an unfamiliar feeling swirling within her. There was something about Nadine James—about their banter, about the challenge—that pulled at something deep inside her.

Cassandra shook her head, releasing a slow breath. Maybe the next time they spoke, she’d leave the polished façade behind, just a little. After all, there was power in vulnerability. For the first time in a long while, she wondered if conquering someone could mean more than just revenge. Maybe it could also help her professionally, by keeping the enemy close.

Meanwhile, she would look pretty on her knees, little Nadine James.

2

NADINE

Nadine James stood at the edge of the dancefloor, her bright hazel eyes scanning the sparkling lights that danced overhead. The atmosphere of the after-party was electric, filled with laughter, chatter, and the soft thud of bass music pulsing through the air. With her short brown hair slightly tousled and her tight red dress hugging her figure perfectly, she felt vibrant and alive.

“Did you see the way Cassandra Wynter reacted when you called her out?” a voice chimed in beside her. It was Clara, one of Nadine’s closest friends and her marketing director, who had accompanied her to the fashion conference.

Nadine grinned, recalling the moment when she’d stood at the podium, bold and daring. “Absolutely! It was exhilarating! I kind of like her when she is all frosty ice queen. There is something about the glare of those icy blue eyes that… well, you know!” Nadine laughed. “The ancient ice queen spent so much time praising that dying social media platform. I couldn’t just let that go.”

Clara swirled her drink and laughed. “You were brilliant! I thought she was going storm into the audience and eat you alive!”

“I might have enjoyed that,” Nadine laughed again.

Something about Cassandra Wynter turned her on. Whether she liked it or not. And, she did like it, mostly. She liked the way Cassandra looked up and down her body in a predatory way when she didn’t think Nadine had noticed.

She glanced across the room and spotted Cassandra standing near the bar, her long blonde hair cascading elegantly down her back. At fifty-two, Cassandra personified sophistication, with those piercing blue eyes that seemed to command attention without even trying.

She was so frosty, so impossible to please, and Nadine enjoyed the flicker of doubt that had flashed in her eyes momentarily when challenged.

Cassandra had been the centerpiece of the conference, discussing the fundamentals of traditional marketing strategies, contrasting sharply with Nadine’s innovative approach at Pulse Media. While the audience had listened with rapt attention to Cassandra, Nadine recognized the opportunity to challenge her. The thrill of disrupting the status quo energized her, and seeing it reflected in the delighted whispers that surrounded her afterward only fueled her passion for the future of fashion.

“Do you think the Ice Queen took it personally?” Clara asked, drawing Nadine back to the present.

“Maybe,” Nadine replied, sipping her sparkling water. “But the industry is shifting. We can’t cling to outdated practices if we want to spearhead the next wave of fashion.”

Clara nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! Pulse Media is going to change the game. I just know it.”

Feeling buoyant, Nadine leaned back against the bar, taking a moment to soak everything in. The confidence she’d felt whileinterrupting Cassandra’s speech still ran through her veins, electrifying her thoughts. She had a vision for Pulse Media, something fresh and disruptive that could reshape the New York City fashion landscape. As she reveled in her thoughts, she watched Cassandra laughing with other industry leaders.

There was a part of Nadine that admired Cassandra—a part that acknowledged her success and status. Despite their rivalry, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something magnetic about the older woman. She was poised and composed, with an air of confidence that was hard to ignore.

“Hey Nadine, you should go talk to her!” Clara urged, elbowing her gently and breaking her reverie.

“What? I already did!” Nadine huffed, feeling her cheeks warm. Why would she want to approach her competition once again? But deep down, she couldn’t deny a flicker of curiosity about what the seasoned CEO might say.

With a deep breath, and a push from Clara’s nudging, Nadine took a step toward the bar where Cassandra stood with a glossy cocktail in hand. She felt a rush of nerves but reminded herself of her purpose. She wasn’t just a rising star; she was a force that would influence the fashion world.

“Oh, hey,” Nadine said, her voice steady as she tried to feign casualness. “You really did give a great presentation. I really appreciated your insights, especially on maintaining brand loyalty.”

Cassandra turned, surprised but smiling, her blue eyes glimmering. “Thank you, Nadine. I must admit, your approach surprised me today. It’s not often I see conventional methods challenged so openly.”

---