The meeting ended without ceremony.
Arianne gathered her documents calmly as the board members filed out, their conversations resuming in low voices. No one lingered. No one pressed for her opinion again.
Lucas's reminder during the meeting had effectively drawn a line across the table.
She stepped into the corridor and paused.
Gio was already there.
He stood a short distance away, a tablet in hand. The moment he noticed her, Gio straightened and strode towards her, adjusting his pace to match hers.
"Your schedule has shifted," he told her quietly. "Three follow-up requests. I filtered two."
Arianne nodded. "Thanks."
They walked side by side, their steps naturally aligned. There was no need for explanation, no need to ask how he knew where to be. Gio had always anticipated rather than reacted.
Behind them, someone called Arianne's name.
"Ms. Summers."
Arianne stopped. Gio turned with her, already positioning himself half a step closer.
