CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - Veils of Pretension

The tension came to a head one afternoon as Ava was preparing for a meeting. She was walking past Max's office when she heard her name mentioned. Pausing, she listened, her heart sinking as she heard Max's voice. "I don't know, Richard. Something doesn't add up with Hart. She's too good, you know? I can't help but wonder if she's got some kind of angle." Ava felt as if she'd been punched in the gut. After everything they'd been through, after all she'd done for the company, Max still didn't trust her. Without thinking, she burst into the office, startling Max and Richard. "Is that really what you think of me?" she demanded, her voice shaking with anger and hurt. Max's eyes widened in surprise. "Ava, I-" "No, let me finish," Ava cut him off. "I have worked my ass off for this company, for you. I have put up with your arrogance, your mood swings, your ridiculous demands. And this is how you repay me? By questioning my loyalty?" Max stood up, his own anger rising to meet hers. "Can