By eight the next morning, every board member sat around the glass table again, except this time, Amelia had chosen the seating arrangement herself, and Marcus Feld found himself directly across from her instead of at his usual place near the head.
He didn't seem to notice the shift. Or if he did, he gave no sign of it.
"I appreciate the early notice," Feld said, adjusting his cufflinks with the same unbothered confidence he always carried. "Though I confess I'm curious what warranted an emergency session before the hearing."
"You'll understand shortly," Amelia said.
Sebastian sat beside her, silent, his presence a steady weight she'd learned to lean on without needing to look at him for reassurance. Dana Reyes occupied the seat on her other side, a slim folder open in front of her, un
