Ava blinked. Then blinked again. "Opportunity?" she echoed, as if the word had personally offended her.
Zach, who had leaned nonchalantly against the wall, muttered, "Is this the part where he offers you a contract written in blood and glitter?"
Shen gave him a slow, disapproving once-over. "You must be the husband," he said with a mild tone that managed to sound like both a greeting and a veiled insult.
Zach beamed. "Legally, tragically, and very inconveniently—yes."
Ava groaned. "Oh no. Don't you two start. I've had enough testosterone posturing for one evening."
"I'm just here to talk," Shen said, lifting his hands like a peaceful diplomat—if diplomats wore silk pocket squares that cost more than most people's rent. "I saw the speech. The rebrand. Very impressive. Very... reckless."
Zach leaned in, stage-whispering to Ava, "Is he flirting with you or about to sue you? I genuinely can't tell."
"I genuinely think he doesn't know either," Ava replied under her breath.
