The words escaped before she could stop them.
And for the first time all evening she meant something completely.
"After everything I heard tonight..."
Her jaw tightened.
"The last thing I want is to hand them any money."
The humiliation still burned.
The manipulation.
The lies.
Even the fundraiser suddenly felt tainted.
"I'll tell them I became ill."
Technically not a lie.
She felt absolutely miserable.
She reached for her phone.
"I'll order a taxi."
Before she could unlock the screen, Martin stopped her.
"I'll take you."
Lana looked up.
"You?"
"Yes."
She frowned.
"What about your job?"
A faint shadow crossed his face.
"I've got it covered."
"Martin—"
"I said I've got it covered."
The tone left little room for argument.
For a moment she considered refusing.
Then
