The crowd shifted.
Power had entered the room.
And it wasn’t him.
“Ms. Voss,” one of the board members said eagerly, stepping forward, “it’s an honor. We’ve been trying to secure a meeting for months—”
“You’ll have one,” she replied calmly.
Her voice was soft.
But it carried.
“After I finish here.”
Julian followed her.
Desperate now.
“Elara,” he said again, louder.
This time—
She stopped.
Slowly.
Turned.
And looked at him.
For the first time that night.
Her eyes held no warmth.
No recognition.
Only clarity.
