Chapter 15
The Second Report
Theo did not deny completing the luxury design.
"Malcolm threatened to dismiss the junior team before payroll," he said. "I finished it to keep the firm trading."
"And never told me."
"I thought I could prevent it being used."
Nora heard the family language immediately. I handled it. I protected you from the difficult part. Trust the intention, not the exclusion.
"You do not get to build my options in secret."
"I know."
"You know after I catch you."
This time the line held no humor.
Malcolm released the design publicly and accused the campaign of conspiring with Mercer Urban. Cooperative members demanded Theo's removal. Priya refused to defend him.
Nora ended his contract in writing. Then she canceled the remaining public dates, including Ben's invitation, because continuing would turn every decision into content.
Theo accepted both choices.
"I am sorry," he said. "I will repair what I can without asking you to watch."
The city filed demolition-enabling permits before sunset. Without a licensed architect, Nora's alternative plan could not be heard.
She watched Theo leave the Lantern alone.
For once, she did not call a man back because losing him made the room harder.