“Margaret.”
The name echoes through the lobby like a gunshot.
For a moment, I think I imagined it. Because the woman standing beside us—calm, composed, loyal Margaret Lawson—has been Adrian’s closest advisor for years. His chief legal strategist. His right hand. The person who just helped us lock down the building.
“That’s impossible,” Adrian says again. His voice is low. Controlled. But I feel the tension in him instantly.
Dr. Monteverde doesn’t move. “I knew you would say that.”
Margaret’s reaction is delayed by only a second. Then she laughs. A short, sharp sound.
“Well,” she says lightly, “that’s certainly creative.”
Her eyes move toward Adrian. “You’re not seriously entertaining this.”
Adrian doesn’t answer. He’s watching her. Closely. Studying her the way a trial lawyer studi
