The boardroom begins to empty, but the tension refuses to leave.
Executives whisper in low voices as they gather their tablets and folders. Some glance at Adrian with relief. Others look at him with the wary caution of people who realize they nearly backed the wrong side.
Victor Salazar remains seated.
He hasn’t moved since the vote collapsed.
That alone unsettles me.
A man who loses control of a room like that should be angry. Or defensive. Or scrambling.
Salazar does none of those things.
He simply watches.
Adrian releases my hand slowly. The warmth disappears instantly, leaving a strange hollow feeling in my chest.
Marcus stretches his arms lazily beside me. “Well,” he mutters. “That was the most entertaining board meeting I’ve attended in years.”
Adrian gives him a dry look.
