Chapter 65: Indignation

Diana Hayes froze outside the heavy oak doors of Old Master White's study, her hand poised to knock, the silver tray of refreshments trembling precariously in her grip. Her ears strained to make sense of the raised voices from within; the unmistakable timbre of Old Master White's commanding baritone intermingled with someone else's lower, more defiant tones. Someone familiar. Eric. A lump formed in Diana's throat as she caught snippets of the heated exchange. Talk of relationships and...Olivia Wilson? The name sparked a flicker of recognition, though Diana couldn't immediately place its significance. All she knew was that Eric was entangled with this woman, much to his grandfather's outrage. How was this possible? Eric was a cold man who would not even spare her a glance. Why would he fall for some random woman? The implications hit Diana like a physical blow, stealing her breath and causing the tray to clatter to the floor with a resounding crash. She barely registered the so