Page 8 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

“Look, I appreciate the compliment,” Helena said slowly, measuring her words carefully. “But I’m here for one thing: business. I have a lot on my plate, and I prefer to keep my personal life separate.” Her tone was more firm now, a hint of her usual arrogance creeping in.

Sloane tilted her head, unfazed. “Oh, I get it. Business first,” she said, her eyebrows raised playfully. “But what if we could help each other in more ways than just numbers and contracts?”

Helena felt her cheeks warming slightly. “This is a serious deal we’re working on,” she replied, trying to maintain her composure. “Let’s focus on what matters, not…whatever you’re hinting at.”

Sloane stepped back slightly, her expression shifting to one of mock innocence. “Just trying to lighten the mood, Helena. All work and no play…”

“Can make anyone a dull girl,” Helena cut in sharply, folding her arms over her chest. She felt a rush of frustration but also a spark of intrigue at Sloane’s audacity.

Sloane laughed lightly, the sound filling the space between them. “You really are something else, aren’t you? So serious all the time.”

Helena relaxed her shoulders, aware that Sloane was just teasing her. “It’s how I get things done. Besides, we both know this is a cutthroat environment. I don’t have room for distractions. Neither do you.”

“Fair enough,” Sloane said, nodding. “But don’t forget that some connections can lead to amazing partnerships…and results.”

“Are you an expert in amazing results?” Helena asked, raising an eyebrow again, half-smirking at the playful challenge.

Sloane shrugged, a glimmer of determination in her eyes. “I like to think so. Just remember, I’m always here if you need more than just a lawyer.”

With that, Helena rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile forming on her lips. “Alright, let’s keep our eyes on the prize then.”

4

SLOANE

Sloane Callahan took a deep breath as she walked around her office, her heels clicking on the polished wooden floor. The meeting with Helena Wolfe was finally over, and Sloane wanted to settle her thoughts like the last pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

“That went surprisingly well,” Jake said, grabbing his briefcase. “I have to go pick up my kids from the afterschool program.”

Sloane nodded, her mind still foggy from the way her conversation with Helena took a turn. “I’ll see you soon. Have a good night. Mia, you can take off as well. Thank you.”

She looked at the view of the city skyline, what always felt like a line of giants standing watch over their domain. But today, her mind was on Helena, who had just impressed everyone in the boardroom with her confident presence. Sloane remembered how Helena’s sharp voice had commanded attention, her eyes sparkling with ambition and ideas. So passionate, so fierce.

“Goodbye, everyone. Safe travels!” Sloane called out to the members of Thompson Industries as they gathered their things and began to leave. Most of them nodded, some a littledazed from the intensity of the meeting. Sloane could still hear Helena’s voice echoing in her mind, like a drumbeat that wouldn’t fade.

As she walked toward the door, she spotted Charles Thompson, the elderly CEO of Thompson Industries, lingering at the back of the room. He had a weathered face, deep lines etched by years of experience, but his bright blue eyes had a light in them that made him seem younger.

“Ms. Callahan, mind if I have a word?” he asked, his voice gravelly yet kind.

“Of course, Mr. Thompson. What’s on your mind?” “Oh, please call me Charles. That young lady, Helena Wolfe,” he started, shaking his head slightly. “She’s a hellcat, isn’t she?”

Sloane chuckled. “You can say that again! She really knows how to hold her ground.”

Charles leaned against the table, his hands resting on his cane. “She reminds me of someone I used to know. Driven. Smart. Brave.” He sighed, looking a little wistful. “If only I had children like her who could take over.”

Sloane raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just that I see so much potential in her,” Charles continued. “But I can’t help but wonder if she’s lucky too. You know, being the daughter of the man who built Wolfe Enterprises.”

Sloane paused, letting that thought sink in. Helena was undeniably brilliant, and her ability to steer conversations and ideas was impressive. Yet she couldn’t escape the fact that she had a famous name behind her. “It’s true. She has some advantages that others don’t,” she admitted. “But she works harder than anyone I know.”

Charles nodded, considering her words. “Yes, hard work is necessary,” he said slowly. “But does it balance out the luck? Doesn’t it always come back to who you know?”

Sloane felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach. She had seen many talented people get overlooked for promotions because they didn’t have the right connections. “True. But I believe she’s also creating her own path. It’s not all about who you know. Sometimes, you have to prove that you belong.”

“That’s a fine way to see it, Sloane,” Charles said with a small smile. “Maybe someday, she’ll prove it to everyone.”

Sloane watched Charles carefully. The old CEO had seen so much change in business—the rise and fall of leaders, the evolution of companies. “And what do you think she’ll do?” Sloane asked.

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