Questions would just complicate this. They would. Victoria managed a tired smile. I need to ask you something. You should probably say no.
It's insane and inappropriate. Ethan had a feeling where this was going. Every rational part screamed to extract himself before this became whatever mess she was about to propose. But he couldn't walk away from someone drowning. "What happens after 10 minutes?"
"I go back out and face him." But if I'm alone, he'll see weakness. Used tonight against me with the board suggest I'm not stable enough to run Sterling Capital. She paused, calculating. But if I walk out with someone, if Marcus sees I've moved on, it changes the dynamic.
"You want me to stand next to you while you talk to these Meridian people?" "Yes." "Tonight?" "Maybe the next few days until contracts are signed." Insane.
Ethan had Lily at Mrs. Rodriguez's delivery shifts tomorrow. A carefully balanced life that didn't include pretending to be a billionaire's husband. But he knew what it felt like to face worst moments alone. I'm a maintenance worker. I don't know anything about your world.
I'll mess this up. Victoria's expression shifted. Hope breaking through desperation. You already saved me once tonight. Ethan thought about Lily's question from last week.
Daddy, if someone needs help, are we supposed to help them? He'd said yes. "Keep your money." "What?" If I do this, I'm not doing it for a paycheck.
Then why? Because three years ago, a nurse held his hand and told him he didn't have to face the worst night alone. Because Lily asked about helping people, and Ethan wanted to tell her yes, because nobody should deal with this alone. Because sometimes people need help. Victoria's eyes went bright with tears.
She blinked back. Okay, just stand next to me. Let Marcus see I'm not frozen. They stepped back into the ballroom. Her hands slid into his elbow, fingers digging in with pressure, communicating how much control she was exerting.
Heads turned, whispers rippled. Wealthy people processing Victoria Sterling with a maintenance worker. They crossed toward to the windows where a group surrounded an older couple radiating casual wealth. Marcus stood on the periphery, eyes tracking their approach with predatory focus. Up close, he looked exactly like the kind of man Ethan had learned to distrust.