a P
was in his late fifties, with a shrewd, discerning gaze and a handshake that was fi
eutral, neither welcoming nor dismissive. "Mr. Sun has briefed m
r was the only thing that felt remotel
ient against the Carter family is a significant undertaking. I need to
concisely, starting with the rejection and ending with Theodore's th
tly as he absorbed the implications of the 4% stake. He knew, as I did,
. "Excuse me," I said, my voice a bit hoarse.
ing at the clock on his wall
lowing the sound of my footsteps. I found the restroom, splashed some cold water on my face, and took
l, I turned the corner and
And Cat
air crackled, thick with a
well. Kyla. I should have known you'd slither your way in here. What
aster of her craft. "Kyla, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice la
ed to humiliate me. To show me the difference in our statio
ng blood. I ignored Gavin complete
er away," I said, my voice low and leve
her face. She looked
"You bitch-" He took a step towa
e a prob
sion. He had stepped out of his office, his ex
ind. A desperate, reckless bluff. T
ulder as if we were a team. I gave him a subtle, co
lled with a confidence I didn't feel. "
f it, letting them fill in the blank
s about to speak, to deny it, but my audacio
a comical mix of confusion and disdain. They didn't
This is the best you could do, Kyla? Couldn'
an aff
deep, calm baritone that commanded attention without raising i
ll t
the far end of the ha
tailored charcoal suit, he moved with an easy, predatory grace. His intense b
iet, unnerving assessment. And something els
aimed in unison, their faces lighting
e nod, his stride never breaking. He walked rig
k I could barely breathe. Five people
irst time, a genuine look of fear flickered in her eyes. A premonit
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