The click of the door locking echoed through the silent boardroom.
Aria's heart skipped a beat.
She looked at Lucien, who had his back to her for a brief moment before slowly turning around.
His face remained calm.
Too calm.
She knew that look.
Five years ago, whenever Lucien was truly angry, he rarely raised his voice.
His silence was always far more frightening.
He walked back toward the conference table and stopped a few feet away from her.
"So..."
His voice was low.
"You came all the way back into my life..."
"...to talk business?"
Aria tightened her grip on the portfolio.
"I came to discuss a partnership between Monroe Atelier and Devereux Group."
Lucien let out a humorless laugh.
"A partnership?"
His eyes reddened with restrained emotion.
"Is that all I am to you no
