“I know.”

Vanessa blinked.

Eleanor continued.

“I chair Meridian Ventures.”

The color slowly left Vanessa’s face.

For the first time that evening, she began to understand the situation.

But not completely.

“Ms. Hayes,” Vanessa said quickly, “whatever Claire told you—”

“She hasn’t told me anything about you.”

Eleanor turned toward me.

“You have six minutes.”

I lifted the Stradivarius.

Vanessa suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Claire, wait.”

I looked down at her hand.

She released me immediately.

The confidence was gone now.

“What are you going to tell her?” she whispered.

“About what?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

I leaned closer.

“You mean the part where you deliberately destroyed an insured instrument in a restricted backstage area while your company is being reviewed by an investment firm?”

Vanessa froze.

Meridian’s investment process wasn’t based only on revenue projections.

Because Vanessa would remain the public face of Velle Fashion, the agreement included a conduct clause.

Serious misconduct.

Fraud.

Violence.

Deliberate property destruction.

Any of those could end the negotiations immediately.

“Claire,” she whispered.

“Please.”