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By this time, Leo had crossed over and reached therabbed Ben’s other ar tone “There are a lot of people visiting Phil right now Let’s sit down somewhere and wait”

“But I have to…”

“You will—soon,” Matthew assured hi voice, while helping Leo guide Ben into the director’s office “You’ll talk to hilanced back over his shoulder at Sloane, as if asking for her assistance in righting the situation

Sloane stepped forward iive Ben’s unfortunate outburst,” she said respectfully, addressing Phil’s fauests heard her as well “You kno close he and Phil were, ever since college He’s taking Phil’s death very hard I know he ize on his behalf”

As Sloane was speaking, Wallace hurried into the rooaze darted around, trying to see where Ben had gone He visibly relaxed when he saw Matthew and Leo leading him into the office

“Thank you, Sloane” He quietly addressed her as soon as she’d finished issuing her apology, and the activity in the room had started to norht past me He’s even worse off than I realized”

Sloane was only half-listening to Wallace’s words She was staring at the young wo—a woman who’d now come over to stand by his side

She was the spitting iiven her—older, but a dead-ringer for Meili

At first Sloane thought it actually was Meili Then she recognized the subtle differences in features and face shape But, dear Lord, they could be sisters

Wallace noted the expression on Sloane’s face, and took it to be curiosity

“Forgive me You two haven’t met,” he said “Sloane Burbank, this is Cindy Liu Cindy, this is Matthew’s daughter, Sloane We’ve all known her since she was born”

“It’s a pleasure” Cindy shook Sloane’s hand “And please accept my sympathies over Phil Leary’s death Wallace has told me how close he and his friends are—your father included This is a tragic loss”

“Thank you soto ask Cindy if she had a relative named Meili But noas not the time Clearly, she and Wallace were an item Sloane would find another opportunity—soon—to find out what she wanted to know

For now, she placed a co her compassion and support “I’m so sorry You know that Phil will always be remembered, honored, and loved” She stepped aside as herand some kind words

The ti couldn’t be better