Black Card
Belle blinked, looking from one face to another… until her gaze landed on Ethan.
Completely unbothered, she smiled.
“I got the last pearl, Ethan.” A proud, satisfied announcement.
Silence.
Then—
“That’s… great, Belle,” Ethan said.
And he smiled. A real one. Warm. Unrestrained.
The entire room collectively malfunctioned.
Pete cleared his throat.
“Let’s continue,” he said pointedly, giving Ethan a look.
That was enough. Ethan straightened, his expression snapping back to business.
The meeting resumed—Though not without occasional interruptions.