CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR - A LINE IN THE SAND

Their interactions became stilted and uncomfortable. Where once they had shared inside jokes and casual touches, now there was only awkward silence and averted gazes. One afternoon, Ava tried to speak with Max privately, hoping to break through the wall he'd erected between them. "Max, please," she pleaded, catching him in the hallway. "Can we talk? Really talk?" Max's expression remained distant. "I don't think that's appropriate, Ms. Hart. All communication should go through HR or our legal team." Ava felt as if she'd been slapped. "Ms. Hart? Max, it's me. After everything we've been through..." "That's precisely the problem," Max cut her off, his voice tight. "We've been through a lot, which makes this situation all the more... complicated. I need to remain impartial." "Impartial?" Ava echoed, hurt and anger bubbling up inside her. "Is that what you call avoiding me? Treating me like a pariah?" Max's jaw clenched. "I'm doing what's necessary to protect the company. I suggest