The blue folder remained in Lucien's briefcase for two days. Not because he doubted his decision. He simply refused to let an important conversation happen between meetings, phone calls, or interruptions. Seraphina deserved his full attention. She deserved honesty without pressure. On Friday evening, the house was unusually quiet.
The staff had finished dinner and left the dining room to give them privacy. Soft light from the chandelier reflected against the polished wooden table. Neither of them rushed to leave after the meal. Lucien poured another cup of tea for Seraphina before filling his own.
She smiled. "Thank you."
"You are welcome," Lucien replied.
For a few minutes, they talked about ordinary things. They discussed the progress of the northern expansion, laughed about Daniel's latest attempt to convince the finance department to approve an unnecessary office renovation, and debated whether the herb garden outside the kitchen needed more sunlight.
