n the hallway or shadows in the background of black-tie events. They were headlines. Features.

it was

scandal waiti

now which terr

e in the professional world-a subtle shift in tone from colleagues, a rai

e the bigges

ations Annual

ery CEO, venture capitalist, and shareholder came to sip overpri

would be on

an as

backgroun

s par

veryone l

ala T

erself pacing James's office, her black heel

to eat me ali

k chair, gave her a small smile. "You'

nal. This is political. These people don't care if w

s hands gently on her shoulders. "And y

ooked

llionaires rip each other apart, and I've watched you stand toe-to-toe with peo

t feels like no matter what I do, I'll al

hen let them see. Let the

hard. "And w

sed her forehead. "T

ala B

Astra Hotel glittered like

owd with silver trays. Media outlets buzzed in designated corners.

ther, silence swept the room for ha

Phones.

es-draped in a sleek, floor-length crimson gown with a slit that

es's arm, spine straight despite the pre

es whispered

ling," sh

our murde

even his shoulders were

Powe

d Langston-the same board member who'd challenged their relatio

ely to see you both,"

the fake smile.

wo of you make qui

e goal?" James

you enjoying your new position in Strategy? I

again, so was managing James Reed's entire cal

hem stifled laughs. G

for our expansion into the EU. If the projections

s smile

sive,"

r head. "You so

a brief investor meeting, leaving Agnes to stand al

art. Power makes

unflinching. "Good

e walk

Close

fielding questions disguised as compli

Space. A moment

inst the raili

brillian

aire approaching wit

's exhausting pretending I don

hen don't. Slap on

hed despit

hing you. But they're also watching Ja

odded.

ll-you'r

back out at

ove

ftly. "Then scre

s Conf

began to thin, James and Agnes stood together near th

tonight," James sa

rected. "I didn't punch anyon

, but his eye

hing to tell

ully toward

n London. They want me to consult-tempora

th caught. "

ths. May

"When would

t we

le

her chest, unexp

ames added. "Not if

t him. "Why wo

ot here, and I don

ead. "James...

n't w

tegy, innovation. If you don't go now, you'll regret it l

ched hers. "I

kno

ll. Eve

. "Then go. And

r, pressed his f

you,"

yes. "Then trust

light

, James book

a CEO jetting

s knew t

ing behind-something

would be

man in the

one he woul

l love, wasn't al

tting go... just long enou