Chapter 10 - The Unexpected Guests
Precisely at six o'clock, the heavy brass doorbell echoed through the house. Grant took a deep breath, adjusted his perfectly tied Windsor knot, and arranged his features into the warm, subservient smile he reserved strictly for powerful men.
He opened the front door with a welcoming gesture. "Mr. Cross! It is an absolute honor to welcome you to our—"
Grant’s voice suddenly faltered. His practiced smile flickered, turning into a mask of pure confusion.
Julian stood on the porch, looking impeccably sharp in a dark navy suit. But he was not alone. Flanking him were two people Grant had never expected to see outside of the corporate boardroom. To Julian's left stood Celia Monroe, Mercer Dynamics’ ruthless Chief Legal Officer, clutching a thick leather portfolio. To his right was Marcus Hill, the intimidating head of Corporate Security, whose sheer size seemed to block out the setting sun.
Grant blinked, his hand still on the doorknob. “Mr. Cross... I’m sorry, I expected a private dinner. Just the two of us.”
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Julian didn't smile. His eyes were cold and piercing. “There are matters tonight requiring witnesses, Grant.”
Julian stepped into the foyer, his gaze bypassing Grant entirely to find me standing in the kitchen doorway. For just one fraction of a second, the iron CEO facade broke, and I saw raw, agonizing grief in my brother's eyes as he looked at my heavily concealed cheek. Then, the ice returned. He looked back at Grant.
