Page 103 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"Sentiment has shifted significantly," she announces.

"Positive coverage is up forty percent. Investor confidence is stabilizing. The audit transparency and proactive media strategy are working."

The team erupts in applause. I look at Scarlett. She's smiling, genuinely pleased with the results.

"This is a team effort," Karen continues, "but I want to specifically recognize Scarlett. Her crisis management strategy is exactly what we needed."

More applause. Scarlett ducks her head slightly, modest despite the praise. After the presentation wraps, I stand.

"This calls for a celebration. Team dinner tomorrow night. I'm making reservations at Ardor—best restaurant in the city. Everyone's invited."

Excitement ripples through the room. Ardor is notoriously hard to get into—but I know the owner, personally.

The meeting breaks up, everyone filing outdiscussing the celebration. I catch Scarlett's eye across the table. She holds my gaze, and something passes between us. She gathers her things and heads back to her office.

I return to my desk and pull out my phone and call the owner to make the reservation. Twenty people. Private dining room. Tomorrow at eight. I set the phone down and look out at the city. We're making progress. The crisis is turning around. That's what matters.

Chapter Twenty

Scarlett

DAY 100

My office is quiet except for the hum of my laptop and the occasional buzz of my phone. I'm wrapping up emails, finalizing notes from this morning's strategy session, trying to stay focused even though tonight's celebration dinner keeps creeping into my thoughts.

My phone buzzes again. I glance at the screen.

Jane: How's things been? Missing you!

Sarah: Seriously, when are we visiting??? It's been forever

I smile andtype back:

Scarlett: Miss you too! Things are great here. Busy but good. Let's figure out dates soon.

Another buzz. Different contact.

Miles.

Miles: Thinking about you. When can I visit?

I stare at the message, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. He's been texting almost daily. Calling. Leaving voicemails I haven't listened to.

I don't know what to say to him anymore. The guilt that used to consume me when I thought about Miles has faded into something more complicated. Confusion, maybe. Or just distance. He feels like a part of my life that belongs to someone else now.

I set my phone down without responding and close my laptop. Tonight is about celebrating the team's success. The crisis is turning around. That's what matters. I grab my bag and head out, waving to Karen as I pass her office.

"See you tonight," she calls.

"See you there."

I need to go home, change, refresh. The dinner isn't until eight, but I want to clear my head first.

***

Ardor is everything its reputation promises. Elegant, luxurious, the kind of place where every detail is curatedfor perfection. The hostess leads me through the main dining room to a private space in the back—a beautiful room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, a long table set for twenty, soft lighting, and servers already passing hors d'oeuvres. The team is here. Music playing softly, champagne flowing, everyone relaxed and celebratory.

"Scarlett!" Melanie waves me over.