The boardroom felt colder than winter in Milan.

Elena's heels clicked against the polished floor as she walked in, folder clutched tight, her chin lifted like she was daring the world to take another shot. The directors had cleared out after their marathon meeting, leaving behind the ghost of their whispered conversations. Only Ferraro remained.

"Why?" She slammed the folder down hard enough to make the water glasses jump. Her voice cracked with fury she did not bother hiding. "What do you ...