The room fell silent when we entered. Every face from last week was there-the strict-faced chairwoman across Don, and a dozen others turning to stare as Lucien walked straight toward his seat, still holding my hand.

Rafael was in the position I was last week, except he stood behind a podium.

"I'm calling a motion to dismiss the interim CEO and remove Margaret Foster from her position." His voice was deeply confident, its rich tenor hanging in the air. Murmurs broke out immediately. "And ...