“Who do you think should sit in that seat?”
Lance sounded almost bored as he looked around. “You? Think you’re up for it?”
Ivan just stared at him, lost for words.
He took a breath and forced himself to speak. “I think Isaac would be a good fit.”
Lance’s eyes flickered to Ivan, his face suddenly dark. “Someone who’s been with me for years isn’t good enough, but Isaac, who’s never worked with me, is?”
He turned away, his energy cooling the room. “Anyone else have an issue with Catherine?”
The other execs automatically looked to Ivan.
Ivan could feel the words stuck in his throat, his face burning, but he didn’t dare say anything more. Lance’s presence was like a wall pressing down on him, making it impossible to push back.
One by one, everyone shook their heads and dropped their gaze, not daring to speak.
“A new team needs time to settle in. I hope you all make an effort to be more understanding,” Lance said quietly, barely moving his lips. Then he glanced at Catherine. “If you have any problems, call me. Headquarters has plenty of people. You can pick anyone you want.”
The message couldn’t be clearer. If anyone gave Catherine trouble, she could fire them on the spot, and Lance would send someone from SilverLeaf headquarters to replace them, no questions asked.
He wouldn’t care about the reason or who was right or wrong. All she had to do was say the word.
The pressure in the room was suffocating—Lance’s authority left no room for argument. The only hint of softness he showed was for Catherine.
Even after all the years she’d worked with him, even during those two years of secret marriage, Catherine had never received this kind of open, obvious support from Lance.
“Thank you, Lance. I don’t need anything right now.”
“Any more questions?” Lance swept his gaze around the room.
Everyone shook their heads again.
Except for Ivan, whose face was an awkward mess of anger and embarrassment. He wanted to protest but couldn’t get the words out.
“Ivan, if you have something to say, say it.”

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