Back at Sterling Corporation, the awkwardness inside the conference room heightened as Ivy leaned closer to Ethan, her voice dropping to a whisper only he could hear.
"Sir... everyone's staring," she murmured, her tone edged with caution.
Ethan blinked rapidly as if snapping out of a trance, then tore his gaze away from Charlotte with an awkward shift of his shoulders.
A soft cough escaped him as he straightened his back and finally sat down, his expression slipping into the cool, unreadable mask he often wore in public.
Ivy quietly settled beside him, stealing a sideways glance at Charlotte, her mind racing with questions.
'Who is this woman to command Ethan's undivided attention like that?' Ivy's eyes narrowed slightly. She had a hunch, but she needed to be sure.
At the front of the room, Nicholas cleared his throat, the small microphone in his hand catching his voice crisply. He smiled politely as he addressed the room again.
