A few days later...
Sadie closed the office door behind her, a tablet tucked under her arm. “Okay,” she said, exhaling. “Marcus Cole. Forty‑nine. Old money. Conservative investor. Hates risk. Loves returns. And he’s been side‑eyeing Sebastian’s numbers for months.”
Kya didn’t look up from the folder she was reviewing. “Good.”
Sadie blinked. “Good? Kya, this man has been with Sebastian since Solace was a sketch on a napkin.”
“That’s why he’s perfect,” Kya said, flipping a page. “He’s loyal to performance, not people. Sebastian’s numbers are slipping. Marcus knows it.”
Sadie hesitated. “Are you sure we’re moving too fast? Ember just opened. We haven’t even—”
“We’re not moving fast,” Kya said calmly. “We’re moving just right.”
Sadie stared at her.
This wasn’t the girl who scrubbed Cec
