Emily felt it.
The shift.
This wasn't just intimidation anymore.
This was explanation.
Director wasn't hiding.
He was revealing.
On purpose.
"Do you know why you're still alive?" he asked calmly.
Alexander didn't answer.
Director continued:
"Because I needed to understand you."
Emily's fingers tightened under the table.
He had been watching.
Studying.
Learning.
"For years," Director added quietly.
"I studied everything you built."
He gestured slightly.
"Your strategies. Your expansions. Your weaknesses."
His eyes landed on Emily again.
"And then I found her."
Alexander's voice dropped dangerously.
"You don't speak about her."
Director ignored him.
"She changed your decisions. Your timing. Your priorities."
Emily felt something cold settle in her chest.
"I didn't create your weakness," she said.
Director tilted his head.
"No."
A pause.
"You revealed it."