Arthur looked at me, his expression softening into something resembling sympathy.

“I am sorry we had to witness this, Deidre,” Arthur said. “If we had known the extent of what was happening here…”

“Thank you, Arthur,” I said. “I appreciate your promptness in coming tonight.”

“We will leave you to handle this,” Arthur said, gesturing to the other board members. “The board will contact your attorney tomorrow regarding the repairs.”

They turned and walked toward the elevator, their faces grim.

As the elevator doors closed behind them, the silence in the penthouse became heavy.

I turned my head toward the kitchen.

Sloane was still standing by the island, her fingers clutching her designer bag so hard her knuckles were white.

She looked small now, stripped of the confidence she had carried when she was measuring my walls.

Margaret walked over to the kitchen entrance, crossing her arms.

“Miss Vale,” Margaret said, her voice sharp. “The court order applies to you as well. You are an unauthorized guest. You must leave immediately.”

Sloane didn’t move.

She looked toward the hallway where Nathan had gone, her chest rising and falling in rapid, shallow breaths.