Chapter 168

ELORA’S POV Lucas dismissed the board members the moment he found me sitting on the floor outside the conference room with my back against the wall, my knees pulled to my chest like I was trying to hold myself together by force. With no questions asked, and no hesitation. He gave a sharp command and suddenly the hallway was empty. Now we’re alone. He sits across from me, elbows on his knees, head bowed, fingers knotted in his hair. He looks tired. Angry. Worn thin in a way I’ve rarely seen before. The silence between us is heavy, broken only by the distant hum of the air conditioner. Finally, he exhales and straightens. “Here’s what we’re going to do,” Lucas said, his voice tight, controlled, like he’s holding back. His jaw clenches as he grips his phone so hard his knuckles turn white. “We’ll hold a press conference. You’ll say you were intoxicated, that you weren’t in a clear state of mind. And Lucian took advantage of that and kissed you without your consent.” The words land like a