The week after the Cavendish weekend was a blur of strategy sessions and sleepless nights.
Ruby spent most of her time in the study, surrounded by documents and legal briefs. Mia had taken over one corner of the room, her laptop perpetually open, her phone constantly ringing. Nicholas was on the other side, working through financial records with a focus that bordered on obsessive.
The garden, for the first time in months, felt like an afterthought.
"I should go check on the orchids," Ruby said, rubbing her eyes. "I haven't been out there in three days."
"Go," Nicholas said without looking up. "We can manage without you for an hour."
"I'll water them, too."
"Take two hours."
She laughed and headed outside, grateful for the excuse to breathe.
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