I’d been right.
Her inner circle stood clustered outside—attempting to look casual.
“Hello,” I greeted, letting a bright, polished smile slip into place. “It’s nice to see you all again.”
They stared, stunned, before Jennifer stepped forward.
“You as well, Mr.Holt.” She turned to Emma. “A word, Ms. Sinclair?”
Emma opened her mouth, but I stepped in smoothly.
“Apologies for speaking on your behalf, Ms.Sinclair.” I dipped my head in a gentleman’s nod. “But we need her at Falkirk rather quickly. A few from our crisis-management division would like to meet with her.”
“I’ll get my bag,” David said immediately, already three steps down the hall.
“That won’t be necessary, Mr.Broughton.”
He froze mid-stride and turned, pinning me with a look. His shoulders set like a man preparing for a fight. “It’s no trouble, Mr. Holt.”
Impressive.
Emma really had chosen well.
“Unfortunately, I really must insist,” I continued, calm and immovable. “This is a delicate matter, and the fewer ears in the room, the better. Only Ms.Sinclair, myself, and one Falkirk advisor will be there.”
I paused, meeting their eyes, one by one. “You have my word. Falkirk is not pulling out. We believe in what Ms. Sinclair has built.” My expression tightened. “Things will be trickier. But I believe we’ll still move forward.”
The collective exhale was almost audible.
“As for this meeting,” I added, smoothing the last thread of tension, “it’s simply to review the leaked documents and outline a plan. Falkirk has bought Elion two weeks before any statement is required. Plenty of time to take a breath and reassess.”
David stepped forward and extended his hand.
I took it, smiling wide, and clapped his shoulder.
Emma smiled then—tired, but real. The first genuine one I’d seen since the world turned on her.
“Things will be fine,” she told them. “I truly believe Falkirk has our best interests in mind.”
A flicker of hope moved through the group.
“Okay,” Jennifer said at last, relief coloring her voice. “Please let us know if we can do anything to help.”
“Of course,” Emma said.
“Now, we’ll let you all get back to your day,” I said, dipping my head in a polite farewell before turning back to Emma. “I have a car waiting out back.”
“I appreciate your preparation, Mr.Holt,” she said—a spark of mischief lighting her expression.
And with that, we turned and walked away—leaving every shattered piece of her morning behind us.
***
The second Emma crossed the threshold of my home, the tension left her shoulders.
She didn’t hesitate.
Didn’t look back.
