Eleanor's mind flashed to the employee who'd jumped after the market value collapse.
If Cross Group's ownership structure shifted now, it wasn't just the Cross family and the executives on the line it was every ordinary employee depending on that company.
She took a breath, kept her voice level.
"Yes, Lauren's my friend. But Cross Group is your company. It has nothing to do with me."
She said it without flinching, holding his gaze.
Her eyes stayed steady, her tone certain.
She could see it plainly disappointment, filling his expression.
Disappointment in her.
The room went dead still, the air gone cold and heavy, like wet concrete.
Julian broke the silence first.
"I should've seen this coldness in you a lot sooner."
Eleanor thought the description fit him better than it fit her.
