Bernard's POV
"You're acting like Penny has no say in this," I said, settling back in my chair to meet his stare head-on.
Dominic went quiet for a moment, then shifted forward with that calculated expression that never failed to get under my skin. He carried himself like someone who always knew the next three moves while everyone else was still figuring out the rules.
"Of course she has a say," he replied, straightening his shoulders. "But something's clearly tying her to London. Something that's making her second-guess what's obviously the better career move."
He leaned closer, his eyes scanning my face with surgical precision. I could feel him hunting for any crack in my composure, any tell that might give away what I was really thinking.
"That something wouldn't happen to be you, would it, Bernard?"
The words hit the air between us like a grenade with the pin pulled. I kept my face blank, but internally, it felt like taking a sledgehammer to the chest.
