Then the door opened without a knock. Vanessa walked in, smile freshly rebuilt, eyes betraying panic underneath.
"Nathan— *Derek*, the Sterling Capital team just landed, and someone from Kingsley Holdings is in the lobby. We need to reset the tone downstairs immediately." She glanced at me, and for the first time since I'd known her, there was uncertainty in her face — not remorse, not fear exactly, just uncertainty. "Claire, I think today got emotional for everyone, but the grown-up move is separating personal issues from business."
"You're right," I said. "That's exactly why I won't interfere."
Relief flashed across her face.
"But I also won't pretend nothing happened," I added.
The relief vanished. "What does that mean?"
"It means I'm leaving this room with my dignity, not a black card and an apartment nobody's ever heard of. And I'm not standing next to Derek at a press event as proof his personal life is stable."
