"Marcus," Rebecca said, her voice cutting through the heavy, suffocating silence of the foyer. She didn't take her eyes off Pascal. "Wait in the car."
Marcus stared at her as if she had lost her mind. "Rebecca, are you crazy? I am not leaving you alone with this lunatic."
"I am fine," she said, her tone suddenly adopting the sharp, commanding edge of the CEO she used to be. "Go wait in the car. Give us ten minutes. I need to speak to my... to him."
Marcus gritted his teeth, shooting a venomous glare at Pascal before turning on his heel and marching down the driveway. The heavy oak door clicked shut, leaving Rebecca and Pascal alone in the sudden, echoing quiet of the house.
Pascal stood frozen by the ruined cake box. The arrogant, untouchable titan of Vanguard Media was entirely gone.
