*File the papers immediately.*

I looked back at Ethan, watching the panic finally break through his polished corporate facade.

“Evelyn Reed has just been retained,” I told him.

“All communication will go through her office from this moment on.”

Ethan flinched at the mention of the name.

Evelyn Reed did not negotiate; she dismantled.

“You didn’t,” Ethan whispered, his chest rising and falling quickly.

“I did,” I said.

I turned away from him and walked toward the glass double doors of the lobby.

The security guard quickly pressed the button to release the turnstile for me.

“Clara!” Ethan called out, his voice cracking slightly.

I did not look back.

I stepped out into the bright afternoon sun.

The air was crisp, carrying the sharp scent of damp autumn leaves.

I walked down the concrete steps toward the parking garage.

My heels made a steady, rhythmic clicking sound on the pavement.

My hands were cold, but they were not shaking.

I found my SUV parked in its usual spot on the second level.

I climbed into the driver’s seat and locked the doors.