Alma sidled up beside him, her voice dripping with wounded innocence. "Seraphina, even if you're upset with me, you can't cause a scene on such an important day for William..."
I didn't spare either of them a glance. I walked straight to the stage and picked up the microphone.
"Has Mr. Stephens gotten something confused?" My gaze swept the room, my voice cool and precise. "The neuro-degenerative therapy patent belongs to YZ Medical Consortium. And I, Seraphina Ashford, am YZ's sole executive director."
Silence swallowed the room whole.
William froze. His pupils contracted sharply. "What did you just say? YZ Consortium? Seraphina, have you lost your mind? Where do you get the nerve to impersonate—"
"Director Lambert." I cut him off.
The director of the private hospital, who had been seated in the VIP section all evening, rose immediately. He walked to me with measured steps and bowed deeply. "Director Ashford, the legal documents you requested are ready."
The silence that followed was absolute.