For a second, things went dark. Then sound came back into focus: the projector, the faint rush of the vents, someone shifting in their seat. Finally light.
Then Morgan’s shocked expression. “That seems… optimistic,” she said.
“Optimistic,” Holt agreed, “but realistic. Elion was built for speed. So was Falkirk. We can match pace.”
“We can meet that timeline,” I confirmed. My voice came out confident—a lie I gripped like a lifeline.
“Our documentation is ready. Compliance work is complete. Once Falkirk finishes their internal review, we can move immediately,” Jennifer added, smooth and certain.
Chen considered. “That lines up. No significant obstacles from my side.”
“Good,” Holt said. “Then we’re aligned on pace.”
“Yes,” I affirmed. “We are.”
A few more questions on data access, escalation paths, oversight structures. Nothing we hadn’t already accounted for in some spreadsheet or note packet finished our meeting.
And when Morgan closed her folder, there was thought in her face, not polite dismissal. “This was thorough,” she commented. “You’ve clearly anticipated Falkirk’s needs.”
“We did our best to anticipate the questions you hadn’t had time to ask at our last meeting.”
Chen gave a single, precise dip of her chin. “We appreciate that.”
Holt’s smile stayed contained, but real. “You’ve given us a lot to work with,” he said. “In a good way.”
We rose, and I extended my hand again. “Thank you for coming in person. I look forward to continuing the conversation.”
“As do I.”
Sarah appeared at the edge of the room, ready to escort them out.
“Sarah will walk you down,” I announced, already feeling a fraction of the tension leak from my shoulders.
Chen and Morgan followed Sarah toward the door, but Holt didn’t move.
He cleared his throat lightly. “Ms.Sinclair? If you have a minute.”
“Of course,” I answered stiffly, heartbeat tripping. This wasn’t in the script.
The door closed behind the others. The room shrank to vent-noise, glass, and the space between us.
“That was impressive.” His tone had shifted, less formal now. “Your team is strong. They take their cues from you.”
“I’m lucky to have them,” I answered, the truth coming easily. “They did the heavy lifting.”
His brow lifted slightly. “But you guided the room. They don’t move like that on their own.”
Heat prickled at the back of my neck. I resisted the reflex to brush it off. “Thank you,” I managed instead.
His expression shifted. “I also owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
“For Mr.Bell’s behavior during our last meeting. It was out of line. The way he addressed you was unacceptable. You deserved better than that from my team.”
Something answered low inside me. I swallowed it back. “I appreciate you saying that.”
A moment stretched, my heartbeat fluttering wildly behind my ribs.
