CHAPTER 56: I Thought I Knew You

<p>George</p>

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<p>Charlotte shifts uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers drumming an irregular rhythm on the tablecloth. Her eyes are narrowed, fixed on something across the room. At first, I thought she was zoning out, bored with the gala as usual, but then I followed her gaze. It isn't idle. She's watching someone.</p>

<p>It takes me a second, but then I see it—Ella. She is standing near the grand staircase, chatting with Daniel, an executive at Google I vaguely recognize from one of those panels at last year's economic summit.</p>

<p>"Daniel recently had a divorce with his ex-wife, Rebecca," Charlotte said, her voice low but edged with something sharp. "Apparently, Ella helped Rebecca start her own software business after their divorce. You know, gave her the push she needed, connected her with the right people. Now Rebecca's company is a success. Huge success. And guess who owns a significant chunk of that business?"</p>