CHAPTER EIGHTY - A SHAKY FOUNDATION

Cassius's eyes locked with hers, and for a moment, the air seemed charged with an unspoken intensity. Then he smiled, breaking the spell. "I think this calls for a celebration. How about dinner? My treat, of course." Mara hesitated for a split second, aware of the potential complications of dining with her boss. But the genuine warmth in Cassius's invitation won her over. "I'd love to," she replied with a smile. An hour later, they found themselves seated at a quiet corner table in one of Manhattan's most exclusive restaurants. The soft lighting and elegant decor created an intimate atmosphere that felt worlds away from the office they'd left behind. As they perused the menu, Cassius leaned in conspiratorially. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of asking the chef to prepare his specialties for us. I've never been disappointed." Mara laughed, feeling more relaxed than she had in weeks. "I trust your judgment. In food as well as in business." As the courses arrived, eac