Page 42 of Titus

Her expression shifted enough to let me know I was giving the response she needed if she was going to remain in the room with the rest of these elites.

“Your husband specifically requested that you be seated here,” I continued, adjusting the card in front of her with practiced ease. “Closest to the stage.”

That’s all she needed to hear for the tension to ease from her shoulders. The key to keeping every donor and guest happy at tonight’s event was to make them feel that the event would be nothing without their presence.

“Of course he did,” she finally said, her tone softening.

I smiled at her as she lifted her chin while she sat regally at the table. “Let me know if there’s anything else you need this evening,” I said, stepping back just enough to give her space while maintaining control of the interaction.

She said nothing in response, only nodding in satisfaction.

Situation handled.

I moved away without looking back, already shifting my focus to the next detail that needed attention. Because there was always something, and quite honestly? I preferred it that way.

“The lighting is running five minutes behind schedule,” Aria said, falling back into step beside me.

“Aria, honey,” I smiled at her. “They’re not running five minutes behind,” I replied calmly. “They’re running on my timeline now.”

A faint smile pulled at her mouth.

I nodded at her sudden ease. “Please adjust the cue. No one notices delays when everything else is flawless.”

“Got it.”

“Thank you.”

I paused near the edge of the room, taking it all in one more time—not because I needed to, but because this was the moment when everything either held… or didn’t. And not surprisingly, everything was holding and moving forward with precision only my team could offer.

My attention diverted when my phone buzzed gently in my hand. I stepped into the corridor, worried it might be my sister, but upon checking the screen, an unexpected name showed up: Titus Hawk.

I didn’t react right away because, honestly, I didn’t feel the need to. The man had taken a full week to decide whether he wanted to hire me, and I didn’t operate that way. I didn’t live in or need to be in this man’s orbit. Life goes on, and the man who thought he could control the world and those around him could now get his ass in line.

Before returning to the event, I opened the message, and my eyes narrowed at the text.

Titus: Clear your schedule this weekend

There were no formalities, no proper greeting, and no explanation. Just a man expecting whatever the hell he wanted from me this weekend. A slow breath escaped me as I leaned against the wall, my gaze drifting back toward the ballroom, where everything continued to move exactly as I’d designed it.

Of course, men like Titus didn’t ask or make formal requests. They positioned, assumed, and expected the world to adjust around them.

I glanced down at the message again. I wanted to ignore the man, but silence never made the point it needed to with men like him.

I tapped the screen, typing without hesitation.

Cat: I don’t clear my schedule. You’re welcome to request an appointment for my services like everyone else.

After I hit send, I slipped my phone into my pocket as I stepped away from the wall, already moving back toward the floor. Whatever Titus Hawk thought this was, he was about to learn something very quickly about me. I didn’t step into someone else’s world and adapt.

I made them meet me in mine.

Titus: Noted. This isn’t a request for you to plan an event. I want to see you again

My mouth dropped open without my permission. What was this guy trying to do? Even more, what the hell made him think he could ask me out? If that’s even what this was. Whatever the case, I sure as hell wasn’t going to clear my weekend and drop everything for Titus Hawk, so I ignored the text for now to focus on my event.

“Cat,” I heard Nat say as I walked past her table, which she shared with her husband Spencer, Jim and Avery Mitchell, and their doctor friends and their spouses. “Everything is flawless. You’re truly the best."

I grinned, taking in everyone’s smiles at the table. “I’m thrilled you’re all comfortable and enjoying it.”