Julian sat confidently at the head of the table.
Celeste stood beside him wearing an expensive cream-colored suit.
When I entered, her expression changed immediately.
“Security!” she called. “Why is this woman here?”
Julian looked annoyed.
“Maya, don’t start another scene.”
I kept walking.
Then Margaret Ellis rose from her chair.
“Good morning, Ms. Hart. We’ve prepared your seat.”
Celeste stared.
“Her seat?”
Margaret gestured toward the chair reserved for the controlling shareholder.
I smiled politely.
“Thank you, Margaret.”
Julian stood.
“What’s going on?”
Margaret opened a leather folder.
“For clarity, Maya Hart Bennett controls sixty-four percent of Hartwell Industries’ voting shares through Hart Family Holdings.”
The room fell silent.
Celeste stared at me.
Then at Julian.
“That’s impossible.”
I sat down.
“Yesterday, you seemed very certain I was nobody important.”
She gripped the edge of the table.
Julian attempted a nervous laugh.
“Maya is my wife, of course. Naturally, she has some interest in the company.”
