Tuesday morning hit like cold water.
I woke at 6:12 a.m. in the InterContinental suite alone this time. Joanna had left at 3 a.m. after round four, muttering something about an early deposition. Kasia had gone back to her own apartment at midnight to prep the next wave of forum amplification.
The bed still smelled of them both.
I showered. Dressed in charcoal trousers, white shirt, no tie. Silent luxury. The kind of outfit that says money without screaming it.
Downstairs, the driver was waiting black Mercedes S-Class, tinted windows, no company logo. I'd bought the car outright last week. Cash. No financing trail.
First stop: Vektor & Partners.
Joanna met me in the lobby. Navy suit again. Hair pinned severe. Eyes tired but sharp.
She didn't smile. Just nodded.
"Conference room three. They're waiting."
The partners were already seated, four of them. Joanna's uncle (senior name partner), two mid-level associates, and a junior who looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.
