I arrived at Augustus's office at seven-fifty-two.
Eight minutes early.
A personal record.
I'd selected a cream Chloé blouse, tailored Burberry skirt, and Valentino heels—expensive armor that bore absolutely no resemblance to anything Augustus might own.
The internet could speculate all it wanted.
I refused to give them ammunition.
Augustus glanced up from the briefing materials spread across his desk.
"You're early."
"Miracles do happen occasionally."
"I'll mark the calendar."
"Punctuality's remarkably easy when your alarm clock sounds like impending unemployment."
He almost smiled.
Almost.
"We have an initial negotiation session with Meridian's commercial team at eight," he explained.
"Then a private business luncheon at twelve-thirty with their senior representatives and an investment adviser."
"Meridian Luxury Group?"
"They manage high-end retail and hospitality across fifteen markets. Ever Holdings handles part of their regional distribution and logistics."
