Lucius had been invited to sit in on the final presentation. Victor had extended the offer personally, an invitation that would normally be considered an honor. A sign of respect. A chance to see, firsthand, how Hale Corporation selected the one project they would invest in this year.
But Lucius declined.
Catherine hadn’t expected that. At first, she thought maybe he wasn’t interested or didn’t want to be involved. But when she turned to him outside the boardroom, asking why, his answer was simple and firm.
"If I walk into that room, do you think they’ll be evaluating you, or me?"
The words struck her harder than she wanted to admit.
She had spent years building her credibility. Crafting her expertise. If she walked into that room with Lucius at her side, would they see her as a conte
