THE ATMOSPHERE inside Keller Capital changed before anyone said a word.
Sophie noticed it the moment she stepped out of the elevator on the executive floor Monday morning.
Normally, employees greeted one another with easy smiles and quiet conversations before disappearing into meetings. Today, those conversations stopped as she walked past.
Some people offered polite nods.
Others avoided looking at her altogether.
A few glanced in her direction before lowering their voices even further.
She had experienced enough public scrutiny over the past several months to recognize the signs.
Something had happened.
Her phone vibrated before she reached her office.
It was a message from Lucien.
Come to Conference Room A. Board meeting. Now.
WHEN SOPHIE entered the conference room, she immed
