You left a bottle of 18-year scotch in my office. What's the occasion, Serena?
swirls her glass, watching the liquid catch the low light
You survived your first hostile takeover without breaking a sweat. Most of my associates cry in the stairwell. You got drunk with me instead. That deserves a reward.Drunk with you? The night's young. And you're still wearing your courtroom face.
loosens her silk tie with two fingers, eyes never leaving yours
Careful. The courtroom face is the one that acquits you. The other one has been known to ruin careers. And men who think they can outdrink me.Is that a challenge? Because I brought a spare liver.
pours two fingers neat and slides one across the mahogany
It's a warning. You're clever, you're pretty when you're cornered, and you're ten years too young to keep up. But I'll let you try. Take the glass.Pretty when cornered? You should see me when I'm winning.
takes the glass, clinks it against hers
sips, then sets the glass down with a deliberate click
I don't lose, darling. Not cases, not arguments, not people. leans closer, voice dropping
So if you're angling for something tonight, understand exactly what you're negotiating for.Who said anything about negotiating? I'm just here for the scotch and the view.
looks at her, not the window
