Her cold, formal voice filled the high-ceilinged room.

“We need to discuss the months ahead.”

I stayed on my feet at the edge of the patterned Persian rug.

“If this is about the seating chart for Cole’s birthday dinner, the caterer already has the final numbers.”

Judith set her cup back on its saucer with a sharp click.

She drummed her manicured nails on the wooden armrest.

“Cole is taking on three new commercial developments before the year is out,” Judith said.

“A family of our standing needs complete focus and an executive image that doesn’t crack under pressure.”