Then Adrian looked at her.
His entire face softened.
I knew that expression.
It had once belonged to me.
My throat tightened.
Thomas saw her too.
And suddenly his entire body went rigid.
It was such an extreme reaction that I momentarily forgot Adrian.
I looked at Thomas.
“You know her.”
He did not answer immediately.
“Thomas?”
“Yes.”
“Who is she?”
His jaw tightened.
“Her name is Vanessa Hale.”
I waited.
“That means nothing to me.”
“It should mean something to Adrian.”
“What?”
Thomas looked directly at me.
“Vanessa Hale is a forensic accountant.”
I stared.
“A what?”
“She works for Hale Mercer Advisory.”
Still nothing made sense.
Thomas lowered his voice.
“My board retained her firm six weeks ago.”
“For what?”
His eyes went toward Adrian.
“A confidential review of financial irregularities inside Adrian’s division.”
I genuinely thought I had misunderstood.
“Adrian’s division?”
“Yes.”
“Does Adrian know?”
“No.”
The word barely left Thomas’s mouth before Adrian saw me.
I watched the color disappear from his face.
His drink remained suspended halfway toward his mouth.
For one second, he looked at Vanessa.
Then Thomas.
Then me.
Real panic.
He started walking.
Quickly.
By the time he reached us, the fear had turned into anger.
“Claire.”
I smiled.
“Hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
I lifted the champagne glass a passing server had offered me seconds earlier.
“Enjoying the party that doesn’t exist.”
Adrian looked at Thomas.
Then the employee checking guests.
Then back at me.
“Can we talk privately?”
“Why?”
“Claire.”
His voice dropped.
“Please don’t make a scene.”
I almost laughed.
“I haven’t said anything.”
“Go home.”
“No.”
His eyes flashed.
“This is a company function.”
“With spouses.”
“Not tonight.”
Thomas said quietly:
“Actually, Adrian, spouses were specifically invited.”
Adrian froze.
Then Thomas turned toward Vanessa.
She had noticed us.
She approached slowly.
The closer she came, the more uncomfortable she looked.
Adrian stepped slightly toward her.
“Vanessa, give me a minute.”
She ignored him.
Her eyes were on me.
“You’re Claire?”
“Yes.”
Her face lost color.
Adrian immediately said:
“This is not the place.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“You said Claire was your former wife.”
I felt as though someone had struck me.
Adrian whispered:
“Vanessa.”
“No.”
She stepped away from him.
“You told me the divorce had been final for almost a year.”
I looked at Adrian.
He would not meet my eyes.
Vanessa continued.
“You said you stayed in the house temporarily because of your daughter.”
“Vanessa.”
“You said Claire lived in another property.”
My heart was pounding, but strangely, I was no longer close to crying.
The truth was arriving too quickly for grief.
Thomas watched all three of us.
Then said:
“Vanessa, does Adrian know your firm is working for Vale Meridian?”
Her expression changed.
“What?”
Adrian turned sharply.
Thomas repeated:
“Does he know?”
“No.”
Vanessa looked at Adrian.
