Page 9 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

Nadine leaned forward, her enthusiasm bubbling up again. “Definitely! Just look at how we’ve branded Pulse Media. We embrace individuality, which I think is essential in fashion. We want everyone to feel like they can showcase their true selves.”

Cassandra seemed to mull over Nadine’s words, the tension ebbing away with each second. She was a tough nut to crack, but Nadine was determined to find some common ground.

As they settled in, the conversation flowed, though with an undertone of unspoken rivalry. Cassandra shared industry news as she sipped her iced tea, but there was an air of defensiveness in her posture, as if she was trying to maintain her composure. Nadine could sense the tension building with every polite exchange.

The sexual connection that had felt so heated between them before seemed nowhere to be seen now.

“Your digital strategies have been making waves,” Cassandra finally said, her voice cool as her eyes pierced through the lush air of the restaurant. “I can see you’ve been quite successful in securing new clients.” Cassandra’s words were barbed.

A mix of pride and guilt washed over Nadine. She’d strategized and fought hard for Purdey’s, but she also recognized the collateral damage she’d caused. “Thank you, Cassandra. We’ve focused on modernizing our approach,” she replied, keeping her tone professional.

Cassandra leaned back in her chair, her expression revealing a subtle mix of respect and annoyance. “It’s important to adapt, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely,” Nadine replied, feeling the weight of her words. “But I think it’s important to find a balance. Tradition and innovation can merge if done thoughtfully.” She watched as Cassandra’s expression softened slightly, the glimmer of a shared industry battle sparking between them.

At that moment, Nadine realized that understanding and rivalry often walked hand in hand in the world of fashion. They were competitors, yes, but they were also women in a tough industry, trying to make their mark. Perhaps it was time to shift the narrative away from competition and toward collaboration.

“I’d like to explore some ideas on how we could potentially work together—combine some of our strategies,” Nadine said, her heart pounding as she pitched the notion. Cassandra looked taken aback at first, but then the small crease in her brow relaxed.

“Maybe that’s not such a bad idea after all,” Cassandra replied thoughtfully. Was the frost in her icy blue eyes beginning to melt? Or was Nadine just living in hope?

Nadine adjusted her blazer as she stepped out of the upscale restaurant alone following the lunch with Cassandra. Another fashion mogul, Vivienne Blackwood had been in the restaurantand it was only a matter of time before Cassandra finished up her lunch with Nadine and left to join Vivienne.

Nadine wished she knew where she stood with Cassandra, but honestly she had no idea. Cassandra was still pissed at her, that much was clear.

The golden afternoon sunlight washed over her, warming her cheeks after the chilly indoor lunch. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of freshly cut flowers from a nearby shop. It was a crisp Friday, one of those days that made her reflect on how far she’d come in her career as CEO of Pulse Media. Today’s lunch with Cassandra had felt promising perhaps, yet Nadine was hesitant. Would they really move forward with the collaboration they’d discussed, or was it just another carrot dangled by Cassandra only to be whipped away when she felt like it?

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. The thought of working with Wynter Media, such a well-established and influential company in the fashion world, was exciting. But Nadine refused to get her hopes up too much. Cassandra had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Would she really partner with a younger company like Pulse who had stolen one of her best clients? It seemed unlikely, even after the conversations they had had.

Nadine hurried to her next meeting. Her heart raced with anticipation. Today was particularly special: Nadine had been invited to the table for an upcoming fashion show, a significant step forward for her startup. She knew this meeting could potentially open even more doors for Pulse Media. As shewalked through the glass entrance of the sleek, modern building, she felt a thrill of excitement course through her.

Nadine entered the conference room, her heels clicking rhythmically on the polished floor. The round table was crowded with chairs, each one occupied by designers and marketing executives discussing details about the show. Nadine quickly scanned the room, taking a mental note of who was there, until her eyes froze on a figure at the far end of the table: Cassandra.

The realization hit Nadine like a wave. There Cassandra sat, looking as perfectly put together as always, with her assistant beside her. Their eyes met, and time seemed to pause. Shock coursed through Nadine, and her heart began to pound as she took a seat, aware of the tension that suddenly filled the room.

“Welcome, everyone,” the meeting coordinator announced, oblivious to the charged atmosphere between the two CEOs. The meeting began, but Nadine’s thoughts were a whirlwind. Why was Cassandra here? Hadn’t she just had lunch with her and then left her with Vivienne Blackwood? Were they rivals again now, sharing the same space in this high-stakes meeting?

As the discussion unfolded, Nadine’s mind raced. She tried to focus on the agenda, listening to the marketing strategies and production timelines being proposed. But Cassandra’s frosty gaze was impossible to ignore—it seemed like it burned into her, making Nadine feel both exposed and empowered. Every time she glanced at Cassandra, she saw a woman who had succeeded in the industry for years, but also someone who could be a potential ally.

And she couldn’t forget the hunger and seduction she had seen in Cassandra’s eyes that night, the promise of something more. She had seemed entirely closed off ever since, but Nadine still remembered how she had made her feel that night.

Just as Nadine was starting to breathe a little easier, she noticed Cassandra elegantly interjecting her thoughts into theconversation. The other attendees nodded along as she spoke, clearly captivated by her insights. Nadine felt a twinge of jealousy, but reminded herself that she belonged here, too.

As the meeting continued, Nadine made a mental note to approach Cassandra afterward. They needed to talk more about the potential partnerships they’d discussed at lunch. Maybe this surprising development could work in her favor after all. As she shared her own input, she locked eyes with Cassandra again. This time, there was a hint of a smile on Cassandra’s lips as her glance lingered on Nadine for a couple of seconds too long, and Nadine’s pulse quickened in response.

By the time the meeting concluded, Nadine felt both exhilarated and drained. She was eager to discuss the collaboration they’d contemplated during lunch, but she needed a moment. She headed to the bathroom to have a few moments alone.

Nadine leaned against the cool marble wall of the bathroom, trying to collect her thoughts. The echoes of the fashion show meeting still buzzed in her head, a whirl of excitement and anxiety. Being the CEO of Pulse Media at thirty-five meant she had to stay sharp and be constantly on her game. Their lunch meeting had gone well, with new designs and marketing strategies laid out across the table. But one thing had caught her completely off guard: seeing Cassandra again so soon.

Cassandra was a powerful figure in the fashion world, known for her sharp intellect and elegant flair. Nadine had assumed one of her lackeys would be there in her place. Cassandra had sat in the meeting with a commanding presence, her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, those striking blue eyes dominating the room. It was their second encounter that day, and Nadine couldn’t shake the feeling that destiny was weaving their paths together in unexpected ways. Cassandra must have known she was going to see Nadine at that meeting, and yetshe hadn’t mentioned it at lunch? Why? She had just looked at Nadine with that almost seductive look that was reminiscent of the party. But that was one look in a hundred since then. The other 99 had all been as icy as Antarctica. Why was she so guarded?

As Nadine washed her hands, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her dark hair framed her face, and she could see the remnants of the meeting’s adrenaline still radiating from her. She needed a moment to breathe, to let the day settle. Just as she turned to leave, the bathroom door swung open, and Cassandra entered.

“Mind if I join you?” Cassandra asked, a smirk playing at the edges of her lips. There was a mischievous glint in her gaze that sent a shiver down Nadine’s spine.

“Uh, sure, it’s a public restroom,” Nadine stammered, her heart racing. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she never could have predicted what Cassandra did next.

Before Nadine could register what was happening, Cassandra stepped forward, her presence enveloping Nadine like a bolt of electricity. In an instant, Cassandra pushed her firmly against the wall. The space felt small and charged with an intense energy. Nadine’s breath caught in her throat as Cassandra leaned in closer, her blue eyes locked onto Nadine’s.

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