Lucia did not speak during the drive back.
The estate disappeared behind them, swallowed by darkness and trees, but its weight followed her like a shadow.
Interim chair.
The title echoed in her mind.
Dominic kept his eyes on the road, hands steady on the wheel, but the tension in his jaw had not eased.
"They removed me publicly," he said finally.
"Yes."
"They framed it as undisclosed violations."
"Yes."
He glanced at her briefly. "You don't look surprised."
Lucia stared ahead at the faint glow of the city skyline.
"I'm not," she admitted.
Dominic's brow furrowed.
"You think she planned this from the beginning."
"I think she plans three outcomes at once," Lucia replied. "She never moves without a fallback."
Dominic was quiet for a moment.
"And you're the fallback."
Lucia's lips pressed together.
"No," she said. "I'm the disruption."
The car fell into silence again.
