Nathaniel moved before Claire could blink, his hand closing around hers as he pulled her away from the crowd and through a side door marked staff only.
The noise of the ballroom dropped to a muffled hum behind them.
“Nathaniel,” Claire said, breathless, “what inheritance? What is she talking about?”
“Not here.” His voice was tight, his eyes scanning the hallway like he expected cameras to be hiding in the walls.
James found them seconds later, phone already pressed to his ear, barking instructions to someone about a press statement. He took one look at Nathaniel’s face and hung up.
“It is already moving online,” James said. “Someone tipped off three other outlets before Vanessa even opened her mouth tonight. This was planned.”
Claire felt the floor shift under her feet. “Planned by
