The humiliation in the room was overwhelming, but Julian’s eyes remained fixed on his dinner plate. He didn't want Elena to bear the brunt of Victoria's venom for another second, but he also refused to lower himself to a shouting match in front of her.
"Brooks," Julian said, his voice slicing through the silence, level and cold. I left the revised North Sea port addendum inside the leather briefcase on the back seat of the sedan. Go down and retrieve it for me."
Elena's hands trembled beneath the table as she folded her linen napkin. She knew what he was doing. He was dismissing her. He was sending the "low-class" assistant away so the family could finish their dinner in peace.
"Of course, Mr. Cross," she whispered, her voice tight.
She stood up, keeping her chin as high as her bruised
