d to an empty desk between he

over. Allegra was worki

do here?" Allegra a

ng toys,

ject from the list and start." She offe

new people. Everyone on the team was asking Allegra for advice, and she helped them all. I could have lied to myself and said she'd helped me on the plane because of

schedule. Miller told the team that the Has

mean for our j

uaranteed there will be no layoffs for

legra looked like a weight had

this Mr. Hastings?" M

"I know nothing abou

and left

Viper," Diane whispe

e Viper?"

r," Meghan

asked. Meghan started to sp

y. Something was definitel

had a pregnant wife, Hugh lived with a roommate, and Meghan was engaged. Diane m

aid, sitting close to me.

t," I said. "But I've alw

ut the Hastings Group

ely pulled out their phon

gs," Diane read. "But there ar

a scrubbed from the internet," Meghan took over, scrolling. "The owner's identity

ng companies with massive potential. It's well known that he has close ties to Sonny Black and

ional statements, but from what I can see, his followers mostly just gossip about whe

ted with a laugh. "We don't even k

Hugh-though he laughed much

edia?" I asked Allegra.

y have my phone number." She laughed, and she did

Mr. Hastings make an appearance

ctions, Mr. Hastings is usually represented by his employees or his vice pre

old man," Josh said, "living in a

a laugh; that

ivate life safe," Allegra said. I was taken ab

aire, you don't sett

wn before he got ric

as a string of mist

rk just because you're a bil

fan of this Mr. Ha

won't judge him for his wealth or his privacy,

smile, occasionally tossing in an idea I'd heard before. Alleg

id, sliding her hand along my thigh under the table

rule now?" Theo and I hadn't

gh said. "Date who you

ver shows his face, he's fair ga

w, he won't start today," Allegra