Victor flinched at the sound of his mistress’s name.

Nathan closed his briefcase with another sharp click of the brass locks.

“You need to leave, Victor,” Nathan said. “The board is waiting for your formal response, but they won’t wait long.”

“I’m going to the office,” Victor said, his jaw tightening as he tried to gather what was left of his dignity. “I’ll handle Evelyn myself.”

“I wouldn’t go there if I were you,” Nathan said.

“Why?” Victor asked, his hand already on the metal door handle.

“Because the local news trucks are already parking on the street outside the lobby,” Nathan said. “Someone leaked the audit report to the Seattle Times.”

Victor stared at him, his mouth slightly open.

The reality of his situation was finally breaking through his denial, piece by piece.

“You did this,” Victor said to Nathan, his voice trembling.

“You did this to yourself,” Nathan replied.

Victor looked at me one last time, perhaps searching for some sign of hesitation or forgiveness.

I met his gaze and felt nothing but a cold, heavy exhaustion.