As I had so many times before, I said nothing.

Chapter 2 — The Watch

Ferdinand waited near the front entrance in a black tuxedo and the platinum watch I had given him when he signed his first major contract.

In interviews, he always said he’d bought that watch himself, after building his empire from nothing.

I had never once corrected him in public.

“I thought I was coming with you to the Heart of the Nation Gala,” I said quietly.