Chapter 294

I had never been comfortable around Emmett Carlisle. He was Yvaine’s older brother, tall, sharp-featured, and always dressed in dark suits that seemed to sharpen his edges even more. If Yvaine was sunlight, Emmett was steel. He carried himself like a man who measured every word before letting it out, and most of the time, he decided silence was better. When I called him to ask for a meeting, he agreed, but I could hear the unspoken question in his voice. Why me? Why now? We met in his office, a glass-walled space high above the city, with views that stretched to the harbour. The shelves were lined with files, ledgers, and a few awards. Nothing personal, not even a photo frame. It was the office of someone who believed sentiment had no place in business. ‘Mirabelle,’ he said when I walked in, his tone clipped. He stood, shook my hand briefly, and gestured for me to sit. ‘Thank you for seeing me,’ I said, settling into the leather chair opposite his desk. He watched me for a long moment,