I can explain the document, she said. If they give me the room to explain it, will they? That depends on how tomorrow goes. She said it flatly without performance. She wasn't asking for reassurance.
She was giving him an honest read of a situation that was not yet resolved. Donovan's voice appeared in Terren's head, unbidden. Something the man had said to him privately at the dinner. In the two minutes they'd been in the same corner of the room without Adrien present. You think she chose you because she cares?
Adrienne needs someone standing next to her. So she looks human. That's all this is. Don't let yourself become useful to her in ways you'll regret. Terrence asked her directly, "Did you ask me to come that night because you needed someone beside you or because you wanted it to be me specifically?"
Adrienne looked at him. "Those aren't mutually exclusive, I know, but I'm asking which one came first." She didn't hesitate. You specifically first. Terrence nodded.
If you want to step back from all of this, Adrienne said, I understand. You have Leila. You have a career that has nothing to do with my history with Donovan. I pulled you into something that isn't yours to carry. You're doing it again, Terrence said quietly.
She stopped. "You're pushing me out before I can decide to stay." Adrienne closed her mouth. "I don't need you to make that choice for me," he said. "I made my own choice the night of that dinner.
I'm making another one right now. Stop deciding what I can afford to handle. Adrien was quiet for a long moment. Then, "All right, right, all right," he said, and left the room. The formal hearing was scheduled for 10 the following morning.
At 9:40, Adrien received a message through her legal team. Donovan had submitted an additional statement along with a second version of the original document. This one with the approval signatures more clearly legible. At 9:55, Terren's reassignment was confirmed in writing. He was officially no longer part of the project.
When Adrien arrived the conference room where the board were the Harbor Light representatives and Donovan's legal council were already assembled, she looked for Terrence in the hallway. He wasn't there. She she walked in alone. She set her portfolio on the table. She sat down.