“Remove Mrs. Thorn? Sir, she’s your wife. It’s the Vanguard Gala. Spouses are usually—”
“I said remove her,” Julian snapped, slamming the tablet onto the desk. “I’m the CEO of this company, Marcus. I decide who represents us. Elara is a liability tonight. I need to close the deal with the Sterling Group. If Arthur Sterling sees me with a housewife who can’t talk macroeconomics, he’ll think I’m soft. Delete her name. Revoke her security clearance. If she shows up, don’t let her in.”
Marcus hesitated, deep discomfort on his face. He liked Elara. She remembered his birthday when Julian didn’t. She sent him soup when he was sick. But he needed this job.
“As you wish, Mr. Thorn,” Marcus said quietly, tapping the screen. “Elara Thorn removed.”
“Good.” Julian straightened his tie, checking his reflection. “I’ll tell her the event is men-only—board members. She’s naïve. She’ll believe it.”
