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The platforabled balcony Across the front hung a banner with the Draco logo and lettering My fornificant others crowded the platfor to the chief executive officer of the Stock Exchange, likely receiving the last of the instructions Mia stood at his shoulder, a wide s officer, Cheryl Waltman, whom everybody called "Walt," and her husband and all the others stood behind and around them

But there was a noticeable empty space at Ada

Adam looked tense But whether it was because of the hoopla surrounding the initial public offering or because of Jordan’s absence, I couldn’t tell America’s soon-to-be newest billionaire stepped up to the podium and, at the exact stroke of nine, pressed the button that set off a cacophony of bell-ringing while everyone around hiavel and handed it to Mia, ith a shocked s block Then they es-on His face was an unreadable mask, his eyes hooded It was his dream to be up on that platfor hard for years to that end But he’d left He was here, sitting onit on a twelve-inch laptop screen instead

My throat closed up, but I didn’t want to interrupt hispage to follow the price of the shares opening at thirty-five dollars and watched them rise steadily Jordan remained silent and didn’t tear his eyes away froainst the wall and sighed "Are you going to tell ues?"

His gaze flicked to er work at Draco"

All breath left me in a sudden rush andand my mouth unable to find the words--any words--to say Jordan spoke for me

"I told Adam he needed to fire me, and when he refused, I quit"

"Why?"

"Because--because I didn’t want to be a hypocrite"

My mouth worked for a moment, my throat dry "That’s…that’s so stupid"

His brows shot up "Excuse me?"