Clayton Sloan was needed the most in such a meeting, but he was absent.

The meeting room was well heated, but a light chill could still be felt.

Gerard Lichman smiled. “Mr. Sloan is still abroad and can’t attend the meeting. We’ll send him a copy of the minutes afterward.”

Nicole frowned but did not say anything. She took a seat and looked at the prepared materials.

Eric tried very hard not to look at her, but his gaze still landed on her anyway.

Nicole was like a gravitational vortex that