Page 14 of Terms of Exposure
That night felt like another life now.
"I know it isn't as fancy as Elion," Nathan sighed, settling into the chair in the corner. "But it's the best one we've got."
"I appreciate it," I said smoothly. "Now, if you wouldn't mind—"
"I should warn you," he interrupted dramatically, "a couple of board members already have a bad taste in their mouths about the breach." A careless flick of his wrist. "Nothing personal."
My foot tapped under the desk. "And why is that?"
He leaned back, savoring it. "The audit Damien submitted painted a very different picture than what we reviewed in due diligence." His smirk deepened. "Stronger. Much stronger."
A heavy pause.
"I'm just curious," he added softly, "how your numbers improved that fast. If Elion was really that solid, I'm surprised you didn't lead with those financials from the start."
Confusion coiled tight in my chest. I shoved it down.
"I'm extremely proud of what Elion built," I said, lifting my chin. "If someone wants to insinuate that work is unworthy of the terms we secured, that's not a reflection on me."
I smiled.
"It's a reflection on them."
His brows rose. Surprise flickered. Then calculation—the look of a man recalibrating.
"I underestimated you," he murmured. "Ms. Sinclair."
He stood. Smoothed his tie.
"I'm looking forward to these next thirty days."
The door clicked behind him.
My foot eased to a stop.
Numbers.
What numbers?
Nathan's words circled through me.
Damien had submitted something. Something strong. Something he hadn't told me about. Something that didn't match what we'd shown.
Every instinct screamed to storm down the hall. Demand answers. Ask why he hadn't told me.
But then I saw his face in my mind—hollow, exhausted, unraveling by inches.
I pressed my palms to the cheap oak desk.
Not now. Not yet.
The questions could wait.
But they weren't going away.
And neither, I suspected, was Nathan.
Chapter six
