The hotel ballroom smelled like expensive cologne and cut flowers. The kind of room where someone had spent a great deal of money to make the space feel important. Arianne had been in enough of these rooms to read the investment on sight. The chandeliers. The table settings. The catering staff in pressed white uniforms.
She stepped out of the car and the cameras found her immediately.
Gilbert was on her left. Julian on her right. They'd arrived together, which had been intentional. Gilbert had suggested it. Arianne had agreed. She didn't need to say why.
The reporters were gathered at the entrance, held back by ropes and hotel security. Five cameras. Three microphones. Two reporters with notepads.
"Mr. Pemberton!" The first reporter was young, eager. "Your thoughts on the forum's theme this year?"
