We ended the call.
A few days later, Olivia contacted Daniel and asked whether I would meet her.
I was surprised that she had not asked to speak with Alexander.
Daniel advised me not to meet her alone, and I agreed to a short conversation at his office.
Olivia arrived in a pale coat, her hair tied back, without the polished smile she had worn at the auction.
She looked tired, though she held herself carefully.
“I know I have no right to ask you for anything,” she said.
“Then don’t.”
She accepted that without visible offense.
“I wanted you to know I didn’t have an affair with Alexander.”
“I didn’t accuse you of having one.”
“You didn’t need to. Everyone at that auction thought it.”
“That was your concern?”
“No,” she said quickly. “I just wanted to say it plainly.”
I kept my hands folded on the table.
