The meeting room was already full the moment Marcus arrived.
That, in itself, unsettled him.
He had expected yet another delay or last-minute adjustments. Perhaps even another quiet rescheduling. That had been Arianne Summer's pattern, hadn't it?
Silence. Deferral. Careful distance.
She never allowed herself to be fully involved.
Instead, what greeted him today was a room that was prepared.
Legal. Compliance. Two senior directors from Finance. There was also a representative from Internal Audit, whom he did not recognize. Even Vincent Rochefort's assistant was present, seated slightly apart, tablet already open.
One seat near the far end of the table remained occupied by a man Marcus recognized but had not fully accounted for.
Lucas Rochefort had arrived quietly with legal files already open before him, his attention on the documents rather than the room. He didn't acknowledge Marcus's entrance, nor did he look toward Arianne for instruction.
