The atmosphere in the dining hall had shifted.
A moment ago, it had been laughter, champagne, and applause, the golden hum of money and privilege.
Now, it was silence.
The kind that burns.
Eve stood frozen near the head of the table, her apron still tied around her waist, her pulse a drumbeat in her ears.
Across from her, the chairman of the Mile & Nixon Group looked from her to Kimberly in open curiosity, a polite smile faltering.
“You know her?” he asked, his tone light, amused, unaware that he had just struck the match that would burn the room.
Kimberly leaned back in her seat, her lips curving into something cold and poisonous. “Oh, I know her all right.”
Eve’s stomach dropped.
Every instinct in her body screamed run, but her feet wouldn’t move.
Kimberly’s laughter rang throu
