Camille put her hand on his arm, feigning intimacy.
“And I want to thank my companion in particular, who has always supported me,” he added, looking at her with a smile that had once been mine.
A knot formed in my throat, but I kept going.
Then something unexpected happened.
The great doors of the drawing-room opened, and the general murmur died away at once.
The group’s global managing director, Alexandre Rivas, joined the company, accompanied by several members of the international board. His presence was not planned; no one expected him to come from New York City just for this celebration.
Laurent stiffened, surprised, then immediately adopted his professional smile.
“Mr. Rivas! What an honor to welcome you.
Everyone stood up. I stood with my back to me, arranging cuts on a table.
I felt footsteps approaching.
“I was looking for someone in particular,” said Rivas.
Laurent seemed disconcerted.
“Somebody?” Who?
Rivas did not answer. He walked straight towards me.
The whole room was silent.
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