Then she began leading him directly toward me.
My parents immediately straightened.
Richard lifted his chin.
Eleanor’s smile grew almost painfully wide.
“Emma! Come meet someone important!” Vanessa called out, her voice intentionally loud enough to turn the heads of the wealthy guests standing nearby.
Several conversations quieted.
People began watching.
Vanessa had gathered her audience.
“Emma,” Vanessa said, presenting the silver-haired titan as if she had personally invented him. “This is Mr. Daniel Mercer. My CEO. He practically runs my world.”
Mercer extended his hand.
His handshake was firm.
I noticed a brief flicker of recognition in his eyes.
He had likely seen my name in the conflict-of-interest documentation submitted to Halden’s board.
But we had never met personally.
He said nothing.
Instead, he studied me carefully.
Vanessa linked her arm through his.
She looked toward the nearby guests, ensuring they were listening.
Then she delivered the humiliation she had apparently been planning.
