“People who use you rarely explain the shape of the harm,” Lena replied.

Adrian expected her to threaten the girl. Instead she sat down across from her. “You have two choices. You can protect the people who will abandon you before midnight, or you can help us expose the operation and leave this room with a future.”

Clare looked at Adrian. “You would let me leave?”

“You’ll answer every question. You’ll give every name. After that, you won’t work for me again — but I will not destroy your life to make myself feel powerful.”

Lena glanced at him. It was a small moment. But Adrian understood that, for the first time since the divorce, she had seen something in him that wasn’t entirely disappointing.

Clare gave them three names. The third belonged to Crestwood’s attorney at the Conclave.