#Chapter 28: Strategic Alignments

The following morning, Kane was nowhere to be found at our scheduled security briefing. His second-in-command delivered the update instead, informing me that Kane had reassigned himself to border patrol duty—effectively removing himself from all Gala preparations. Two days passed in similar fashion. Any message I sent to Kane regarding event security was answered by one of his subordinates. In meetings, he sent representatives rather than attending himself. The message was clear: he was honoring my declaration that our arrangement did not extend to my "life choices." I told myself this was exactly what I wanted—professional distance, clear boundaries. Yet each time I saw one of his team members instead of him, I felt an unexpected hollowness in my chest. On the third day, I was returning from a final walkthrough of the Gala venue when I spotted Raymond heading toward Kane's quarters. On impulse, I followed, keeping a discreet distance. Raymond knocked on Kane's door and entered w