“Hexton Global.”
Adrien followed her eyes and misunderstood completely.
His expression changed to amusement.
“Oh.”
Lara said nothing.
“You’re one of those people.”
“What people?”
“The ones who see a major business event online and think being in the building makes them part of it.”
Lara studied him.
Adrien continued.
“This isn’t a networking mixer.”
“I know.”
“We’re celebrating a corporate transaction.”
“I’m aware.”
Selene folded her arms.
“So who exactly are you?”
Lara considered answering.
She almost did.
Then something stopped her.
Perhaps her mother’s voice.
Watch how people treat someone they believe cannot help them.
So Lara said:
“My name is Lara.”
Selene waited.
“That’s it?”
“For the moment.”
The small crowd around them grew.
Someone lifted a phone.
Adrien noticed and appeared to enjoy the attention.
“You know what this deal is worth?”
“Yes.”
“Eight hundred million dollars.”
“Yes.”
“My team spent seven months building it.”
Lara’s expression remained neutral.
“That long?”
Adrien smiled at what he thought was ignorance.
“That’s what serious business looks like.”
Lara looked toward the screen again.
“Interesting.”
Selene stepped closer.
“You really should leave.”
“I haven’t finished what I came to do.”
“And what was that?”
“Observe.”
Selene laughed.
“Observe what?”
Lara looked at Adrien.
Then Selene.
“People.”
Something about the answer irritated Selene.
Perhaps because Lara still did not appear embarrassed.
Perhaps because the crowd was beginning to watch Selene as much as Lara.
“Do you know who he is?”
Selene asked, gesturing toward Adrien.
“Yes.”
Adrien’s chin lifted slightly.
Lara continued.
“Adrien Crest. CEO of Hexton Global.”
That pleased him.
“And you?”
Selene asked.
“I know who you are too.”
Selene smiled.
“Then you understand there are levels to rooms like this.”
Lara looked around.
“I’m beginning to.”
A few people nearby stopped smiling.
The exchange had shifted.
Selene felt it.
So did Adrien.
He leaned toward Lara.
“Let me guess. You’re trying to get close to the Windche people.”
Lara almost smiled.
“Something like that.”
Adrien laughed.
“Everybody wants something once a deal gets announced.”
“It hasn’t been signed.”
His expression tightened.
“What?”
“The deal.”
“It hasn’t closed.”
“I think I know the status of my own transaction.”
Lara held his gaze.
“You should.”
The people nearest them went quiet.
Adrien’s ego heard challenge before his intelligence heard warning.
“You know, I’ve spent months dealing with people who actually understand this transaction. I don’t need a lecture from somebody who wandered in off the street.”
Lara’s jaw tightened slightly.
That was the first visible sign of emotion.
Selene saw it.
And mistook restraint for weakness.
A waiter passed carrying red wine.