Caden halted abruptly, subtly signaling Hank, who immediately followed Dorian to the elevator. Hank obediently pressed the button and waited.

After Dorian left, Alice gathered her belongings, announcing, “I’m going to the gallery. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be working late.” Caden nodded. Moments before, her desire had burned brightly; Dorian's presence had extinguished it. She no longer wished to continue their intimacy.

“You drove alone?” Caden asked.

Alice nodded. “I can go alone.”

Caden rose, picked up the phone, and dialed. “Have you heard from that doctor?” he asked.

The voice on the phone expressed regret. “Mr. Ward, you’re too busy to skip the line. Bring the patient in person.”

Caden’s expression darkened as he checked his calendar. “Keep me posted,” he said.

Alicia, as usual, headed for the CEO's private elevator. Inside, she found Dorian. Their eyes met; the atmosphere thickened. This was Alice's first in-person encounter with him. Though his profile had lowered in recent years, his authority remained palpable. Alice stepped back, deferring to his seniority. Dorian frowned.

Reaching the ground floor, Alice realized she'd left her phone. Returning to Caden's office, she saw Dorian exiting the elevator and watching her. She smiled. “Mr. Moss, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Dorian, surprised by her composure, asked, “Miss Bennett, you don’t work here. Why are you here?”

“I’ve worked with Caden. I stopped by to see some new items.” She presented her business card. “Are you interested in art, Mr. Moss?”