“You don’t know her.”

Roman’s expression stayed cold. “I know she built the legal strategy that saved Mercer Automotive from a hostile acquisition last spring. I know she found a regulatory exception twelve senior attorneys missed.

I know your firm’s East Harbor investment structure is dangerously overleveraged.”

Connor’s face changed. That last statement was not social theater. It was a threat aimed directly at his business.

Roman continued in the same quiet tone. “And I know she asked you to leave. You should learn to recognize a final answer.”

Connor swallowed. Paige pulled at his arm. “We should go.” For the first time that night, Connor obeyed someone without arguing. The crowd opened for him again, but the energy had changed.