Outside at the event, James noticed Victoria's long disappearance. He checked his watch again. Eight minutes had passed. The unease in his stomach had solidified into genuine concern when he saw Elena emerge from the restroom, adjusting her hair with a satisfied smirk before striding back toward the convention.
His phone vibrated next with a text message.
Need you. Women's restroom. Emergency. Discretion essential.
Below it, another message appeared: Please dismiss Amara for the night. Tell her good work today.
James didn't hesitate. He spotted Amara near the refreshment table and approached her with a gentle smile.
"Amara, Victoria asked me to let you know you've done excellent work today. She'd like you to head home and enjoy your evening, you've earned it."
Amara's face lit up with pleasure. "Really? Thank you so much, Mr. Mitchell. Please tell her I had a wonderful time."
"I will and it's just James," James assured her, watching as she gathered her things and headed for the exit with obvious happiness.
Once she was gone, James glanced quickly around and pushed through the door into the women's restroom.
"Tori?" he called softly.
"Back corner," came her voice, tightly controlled but with an undercurrent he'd come to recognize as vulnerability.
He moved further into the restroom and found Victoria pressed against the wall, her arms wrapped protectively around her exposed chest, the top of her dress hanging in tatters.
"What happened?" he asked, immediately shrugging out of his blazer.
"Elena happened," Victoria replied, her jaw tight with suppressed fury and humiliation. "She decided if she couldn't beat me professionally, physical assault was the next best option."
James draped his jacket gently around Victoria's shoulders. It was large enough to cover her completely, and she quickly slipped her arms into the sleeves, buttoning it closed with slightly trembling fingers.
"We need to report this," James said, anger coloring his voice. "There are security cameras in the hallway, witnesses who saw her follow you in here..."
"No," Victoria cut him off firmly. "Absolutely not. Can you imagine the headlines? 'Tech CEOs in Bathroom Brawl'? 'Victoria Sharp Exposed at Innovation Summit'? The story would overshadow everything I've built."
James wanted to argue but recognized the steel in her voice. This wasn't a moment to challenge her; it was a moment to support her decision, however much he disagreed.
"What do you need me to do?" he asked instead.
Victoria's shoulders relaxed fractionally at his acceptance. "Get me out of here without causing a scene. Back entrance, service elevator, something. Have the car brought around. And James?" Her eyes met his, fierce despite her vulnerable state. "Not a word of this to anyone. Ever."
"Of course," he replied immediately, his tone conveying absolute loyalty. "Wait here, I'll take care of everything."
James left briefly to arrange their exit strategy, returning minutes later with the calmness of someone who genuinely cared about her wellbeing.
"Service corridor through that door," he said, pointing to a nearly hidden staff entrance. "It leads to a service elevator that will take us to the parking garage. The car is waiting at the south exit."
Victoria nodded, pulling his jacket more tightly around herself. "Lead the way."
They moved silently through the service corridors, James staying close enough to offer support while giving her the space she needed to maintain her composure. When they passed a surprised hotel employee, James's protective instincts kicked in, and he gave the man a stern look that quickly made him avert his eyes.
In the car, Victoria sat rigidly beside him, staring straight ahead as the driver navigated through evening traffic. James didn't try to fill the silence with empty words, allowing his presence to be steady and comforting, letting her know she wasn't alone.
Twenty minutes into the drive, Victoria suddenly leaned forward and tapped the partition window. "Davidson, pull over here please."
The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror with concern. "Ma'am, we're still fifteen minutes from your address. Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine," Victoria replied, her voice regaining some of its usual strength. "I'll be dismissing your services for the evening. Thank you for your discretion tonight."
Davidson pulled to the curb and turned to face her, his weathered face creased with worry. "Are you certain, Ms. Sharp? I don't mind staying on call if you need anything else."
Victoria managed a small smile. "That's very kind of you, Davidson. Go home to your family. I'll see you Monday morning."
"Thank you, ma'am. Have a good evening, and you too, Mr. Mitchell." Davidson gathered his things and stepped out of the vehicle, disappearing into the night with a respectful nod.
James watched the exchange with growing confusion as Victoria moved to the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors and seat with practiced ease. "Tori, what are you doing?"
She turned to him with the first genuine smile he'd seen from her all evening. "I want to take you somewhere. I need to get away from everything for a while."
"Where are we going?" James asked, his bewilderment evident in his voice.
"You'll see," Victoria replied, pulling back into traffic with surprising confidence. "I need to clear my head, and I want you with me."
James settled back into his seat, watching her profile as she navigated through the city streets. There was something different about her now, a sense of purpose that replaced the vulnerability he'd witnessed earlier. The transformation was remarkable to observe.
They drove in comfortable silence for nearly thirty minutes, the city lights gradually giving way to darker roads lined with trees. Victoria finally turned into a small parking area that James recognized as the entrance to one of the hiking trails that overlooked the city.
"Here," she said, turning off the engine. "This is where I want to be."
The night air was crisp and clean as they stepped out of the car. Victoria reached for James's hand, her fingers intertwining with his as they began walking along the moonlit path. The trail was well maintained, leading steadily upward through the woods toward the scenic overlook.
"I used to come here in my earlier CEO days," Victoria said, her voice soft in the darkness. "Whenever I needed to think, to get perspective on things."