her name is Clara

her name is Clara I don't know you the room fell silent curious probing eyes instantly locked onto Sophia Sophia froze color draining as tears welled up I hurried over and pulled her into my arms then I looked up at Leo under the crystal chandelier his features were cold Clara smugly tightened her grip on Leo's arm and tilted her chin up at us before I could speak heading inside with Seraphina he didn't look back at us once Nova Group's European partners suddenly announced they were terminating their contracts announced they were terminating their contracts I flew there to negotiate the moment I pushed open the conference room door Leo was sitting at the head of the table dressed in a tailored dark suit he casually twirled a pen he oozed quiet commanding power when I walked in he barely looked up Miss Bennett Miss Bennett please sit I took my seat and stared into his eyes Leo do you really have to take it this far business is business let's keep it professional on behalf of the Valos I'm making a formal offer to acquire Nova Group's European division the terms are generous 30% above market value Dream on Leo let out a low laugh and leaned back in his chair his eyes held no warmth Miss Bennett my mother is Serafina Valos I represent only Valos's interests you'd better think carefully you can't afford to say no he rose straightened his jacket and walked out with his assistant when he passed me he didn't even break stride I stayed in the empty conference room watching him walk away my chest tightened with a dull ache yet deep down I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off his eyes were too clear he didn't seem to truly hate us the situation grew worse by the day the castellan elder's could no longer sit idly by they urged Luca to make peace seed the Mediterranean ports and give Serafina a stake in Nova Group Sir, if this continues we'll lose everything Serafina is unstoppable we can't beat her Luca slammed his fist onto the table the heavy mahogany desk thrummed we can't beat her we castianos have held our ground in America for decades we don't surrender anyone who dares mention peace again will answer to the family the elders withdrew sheepishly that night I treated the wound on Lucas's hand he'd hit the table too hard reopening an old wound blood had seeped through the bandages actually I began softly if things are really that bad we can back down for now he held my hand no his eyes firm I won't let you or Sophia suffer I didn't try to persuade him again I simply rested my head lightly against his shoulder just then the assistant pushed open the door Sir, ma'am Intel came in on next week's Global Business Summit