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I had to stop a surprised sound fro my throat

Laer He took a subtle step back, lifting his hands in the air as if surrendering, and his loud, grating laugh was total overco to see if anyone had overheard what Vance had just said

The cocktail party was crowded, and no one seelitter above his evil s word to use, don’t you think?”

“It feels appropriate,” Vance said

The oldermy lack of reaction, and I understood nohy Vance had done it He’d sent a e to Lambert to let him know the discussion could happen in front of me

He must have decided if Vance was okay with it, he was, too Lained hi froine the search for his replace soon Where are we on that?”

“I have a few things in est you offer to host Damon’s retirement party That’s a way to curry favor with the current board”

Laestion “Macalister put him on the board He should be the one to do it”

Vance’s laugh was hollow “Never in aSophia, and I think he’d prefer to keep doing it” He wrapped a hand around his drink, swirling the amber liquid inside “It’s been a while since you’ve hosted at your house I’m sure Serena would love a chance to show off the remodel of your kitchen”

“If I did this, I’d be worried it’d co”

Vance’s tone was incredulous “Are you thinking you’ll get the seat on merit alone? There have to be at least a dozen other people just as qualified as you You want the seat, you gotta play the game” He took a sip of his drink “And who cares if it looks self-serving? The only votes thatto host a retirement party for a man none of them respect anymore, but etiquette dictates someone has to”

I watched with bated breath as Lambert considered it This was the ‘in’ Vance and I had come up with While all of Cape Hill partied on Lambert’s dime, he’d be too distracted to notice e slipped away and ventured upstairs

“I’ll discuss it with ht not be ready to take on so of this scale so soon after Jillian”

“That’s certainly understandable” There was a hesitation in Vance, like he was calculating a course adjust it at your hoives the board an opportunity to really see who you are and hoell your fainable”