Chapter 72. The Slap

Anna stormed down the hallway with the rage of a woman who’d been holding everything in for too long. Her heels struck the marble floor with sharp, vicious clicks—each one echoing down the corridor like a warning siren that anyone in her path should probably run.

Charles rounded the corner just in time to see her approaching like a hurricane dressed in steel and silk.

“Anna—wait—” he tried, stepping in front of her gently, palms raised, attempting to block her.

She shoved him aside so hard his shoulder hit the wall, and he hissed from the sudden pain. But she didn’t even look back. She didn’t hesitate. She was already pushing through the glass doors of the conference room, sending them slamming against the stopper with a force that made everyone inside turn.

Lucien’s executives, mid-discussion, froze. Every head snapped toward the entrance.