Chapter 97

The afternoon sun dipped lower as the Satin & Sage boardroom buzzed with the aftermath of the collaboration meeting. Papers were being shuffled into files, laptops clicked shut, and soft murmurs of assistants exchanging schedules filled the air. Amelia had barely risen from her seat when the sound of the door opening again drew everyone’s attention.

Ryan stepped in, calm as ever, his dark suit crisp, his confident stride deliberate. He carried himself as though he belonged there, though Amelia hadn’t expected him to make an appearance until later in the day.

“Ma’am,” he greeted smoothly, his eyes flicking briefly to Adrian before settling on her with a warm smile. “I hope I’m not intruding. I thought I should stop by, see how the first round went. I finished the meeting earlier than I expected,” he winked.

Something in his tone was too casual, too calculated. Adrian stiffened. This guy was getting on his nerves.

“Of course,” Amelia said quickly, masking h