Chapter 304

Madison

I stood perfectly still, the champagne flute clutched in my hand like a lifeline. Alexander’s face remained frustratingly neutral as he regarded Katherine—not excited, not cold, just unreadable.

“How long are you in New York?” Gabriel asked Katherine, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Indefinitely,” she replied. “I’ve leased office space for Sinclair Luxe’s American headquarters. We’re launching the winter collection here first, before Paris.”

“Bold move,” Alexander commented, taking a measured sip of his scotch.

Katherine’s laugh was musical, practiced to perfection. “When have I ever been anything but bold, darling?” She leaned closer to him, lowering her voice to a near-whisper. “Remember Barcelona? That rooftop bar where we nearly—”

“The auction is starting soon,” Alexander interrupted, checking his watch. “We should find our seats.”

Relief washed over me. At least he hadn’t let her finish whatever intimate memory she w