The lobby of Kensington Tower was a cathedral of capitalism. Marble floors, vaulted ceilings, and the hush of serious money. Elodie's heels clicked sharply on the stone as Caroline dragged her toward the private elevator.
The receptionist saw Caroline and immediately buzzed them through. She didn't even look at Elodie. To them, she was just a shadow.
The elevator ride was silent. Elodie watched the floor numbers climb. 20... 30... 50...
The doors opened onto the executive floor. Geoff was standing at the reception desk. He looked up, his professional mask slipping for a fraction of a second when he saw Elodie. His eyes darted from her to Caroline, then down to his tablet.
"Ladies," Geoff said. "They are waiting in Conference Room A."
"Thank you, Geoff." Caroline breezed past him.
Elodie followed, keeping her head down. Geoff didn't say a word, but she felt his gaze burning into her back. He knew. He knew everything.
They entered the conference room. It was a glass box suspended over the city. A long mahogany table dominated the space. Three men in grey suits sat on one side-the Spanish delegation.
Braxton wasn't there yet.
Elodie took her seat next to Caroline. She opened her notebook, her hands trembling slightly.
One of the Spaniards, a younger man with dark eyes named Mateo, leaned forward. "Hola," he said, smiling at Elodie. "You are the translator?"
"Sí," Elodie replied in flawless Spanish. "I am here to assist with the contract details."
Mateo's smile widened. "An unexpected beauty in a room of sharks."
Caroline let out a sharp, fake laugh. "Careful, Mateo. She's paid to talk, not to flirt."
Before Mateo could respond, the heavy double doors swung open.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Braxton walked in. He was wearing a navy suit, cut to perfection. He looked powerful, dangerous, and utterly in control. He walked to the head of the table, shaking hands with the investors.
Then he turned.
His eyes landed on Caroline. He gave a curt nod. Then his gaze slid to the person beside her.
Elodie felt the impact of his stare like a physical shove.
Braxton stopped. His hand, reaching for a file, froze in mid-air for a microsecond. His eyes narrowed. The pupils contracted.
He looked at her suit. The suit she was supposed to be wearing while sick in bed. He looked at Caroline, who was beaming with malicious delight.
He didn't say a word. He pulled out his chair and sat down.
"Let's begin," Braxton said. His voice was gravel.
The meeting was a blur of legalese and numbers. Elodie went into autopilot. She translated complex clauses about equity splits and liability caps. Her voice was steady, professional. She was good at this. For a moment, she forgot the fear. She was just Elodie Sinclair, the brilliant linguist.
Mateo noticed. "She is excellent," he said in Spanish to his colleague, looking at Elodie with admiration. "And she has a fire in her eyes."
Elodie translated the business part, ignoring the compliment.
Braxton tapped his pen on the table. Tap. Tap. Tap. A slow, rhythmic sound that grated on Elodie's nerves.
"Ask him," Braxton said, staring directly at Elodie, "if he understands the penalty for breach of contract."
Elodie turned to Mateo. "Mr. Kensington asks if you are clear on the breach penalties."
Mateo laughed. "Tell him I never break a promise to a beautiful woman."
Elodie hesitated.
"Translate it," Braxton ordered.
"He says... he honors his commitments," Elodie said.
Braxton slammed the pen down. The crack echoed in the room. Silence fell.
"That's not what he said," Braxton growled. He stood up. "The meeting is adjourned. Geoff, take the gentlemen to lunch."
The Spaniards looked confused but stood up. Mateo winked at Elodie as he left.
Caroline stood up, smoothing her skirt. "Well, that went well. Lunch, darling?"
Braxton didn't look at her. He was staring at Elodie, who was frantically packing her bag.
"Caroline, go with them," Braxton said. "I need to clarify a few clauses with the translator."
Caroline paused. Her smile faltered. She looked from Braxton to Elodie. "She's just a temp, Brax. I can hire-"
"Go," Braxton said. Soft. menacing.
Caroline's jaw tightened. She shot a venomous look at Elodie, then turned on her heel and walked out.
The door clicked shut.
Elodie was alone with him.
