Claire looked over her shoulder.
For the first time that night, she smiled.
“You already did.”
And then she walked out.
The Building With No Name
Claire did not take the children home right away.
Instead, she brought them to a tall glass building overlooking the city.
There was no company name on the outside.
There did not need to be.
Inside, the receptionist stood immediately.
“Good evening, Ms. Whitmore.”
The children looked at their mother with surprise.
“Mom, is this yours?” one of them asked.
Claire smiled gently.
“Part of it is.”
In the boardroom upstairs, twelve people were waiting.
Executives.
Investors.
Legal advisors.
Every person stood when Claire entered.
At the head of the table, a screen displayed financial charts, ownership records, and quiet acquisitions made over five long years.
Claire placed her hand on the back of her chair.
“Is everything ready?” she asked.
