Ethan smiled, satisfied.
“Good. At least you know your place.”
Vanessa clapped lightly.
“Well, that was almost dramatic.”
Emily didn’t respond. She stood, picked up her bag—
And then a chair scraped behind them.
Everyone turned.
The man in the charcoal suit rose.
Calm. Commanding. Unshakable.
The lawyer recognized him first.
“Mr… Reed?”
Vanessa frowned.
Ethan blinked. “Who are you?”
The man stepped forward, stopping just behind Emily. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Are you finished, sweetheart?”
The word echoed through the room.
