Chapter 10 - Old Connections
The quiet broke at a board meeting Emma was not invited to.
Vincent told her about it the next time she visited Isabella. They were alone in the sunroom for a few minutes while Isabella rested in another part of the house.
“Victoria attempted to raise a formal concern about staff access to private residences connected to Moretti properties,” Vincent said. “She framed it as a security issue. She used the photograph from the blog and the frequency of your visits as supporting detail.”
Emma’s stomach tightened. “What happened?”
“The concern was noted and dismissed. The board does not take direction from guest lists. But the attempt itself is information.” Vincent’s voice remained even. “She is no longer content with private warnings. She is trying to create institutional friction.”
“Can she succeed?”
“Not easily. But she can create enough noise to make certain people cautious.” He looked at Emma. “I am telling you this because you deserve to know what is being said, not because I expect you to change anything.”
Emma nodded slowly. “I appreciate that.”
They sat in silence for a moment. Outside, the light on the lake had turned the color of late afternoon.
“My mother values your company,” Vincent said. “That is not something she says lightly. Neither do I.”
Emma met his gaze. The air between them felt different than it had in the coffee shop weeks earlier. Less formal. More dangerous in a quiet way.
“I value hers too,” she said.
Vincent did not move closer. He did not reach for her hand. He simply held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, and then the attendant returned with tea, and the moment passed into ordinary conversation.
That night Emma lay awake thinking about institutional friction and the way Vincent had said neither do I.
May you like
She did not know yet what she wanted from him. She only knew that the idea of stepping back felt like a loss she was not ready to accept.
