“Thank you.”

Daniel looked at the embroidered crane.

For a brief moment, something changed in his expression.

“Where did you get that uniform?”

Celeste swallowed.

“It was my sister’s.”

Daniel studied the embroidery.

“Her name?”

“Naomi Morgan.”

He became completely still.

“Naomi?”

Celeste nodded.

“She died four years ago.”

Daniel looked down at the crane.

Then back at her.

“Did your mother sew that?”

Celeste blinked.

“Yes.”

Daniel’s voice grew quieter.

“Blue thread. Three feathers on the left wing.”

Celeste stared at him.

“How do you know that?”

Before he could answer, Nolan interrupted.

“Oh, wonderful. Now we’re having a family reunion.”

Daniel turned.

His expression had changed.

Not into anger.

Into something colder.

“You’re going to apologize to her.”

Nolan laughed.

“Am I?”

“Yes.”

“Or what?”

Daniel looked toward the event organizers.

“Or the people responsible for this event can decide whether they want their charity represented by someone who behaves this way.”

Nolan’s manager, Eric Dawson, hurried toward them.

“Okay, everybody, let’s take a break.”

He forced a smile toward the audience.

“Just a little misunderstanding.”

Celeste looked at him.

“It wasn’t a misunderstanding.”

Eric ignored her.

“Nolan, come with me.”

But Nolan pulled away.

“No.”

Eric lowered his voice.

“You’re making this worse.”

Nolan pointed toward Daniel.

“He’s the one making a scene!”

Daniel said nothing.

Eric turned toward him.

“Sir, I appreciate your concern, but we can handle this privately.”

Daniel looked at Celeste.

“Would you prefer to leave?”

She nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then let her leave.”

Eric hesitated.

Nolan laughed.

“Look at him giving orders.”

He stepped directly in front of Daniel.

“Listen carefully, old man. You don’t walk into my exhibition and tell me what to do.”

Daniel looked at him.

“Then don’t give me a reason to intervene.”

Nolan moved closer.

“Maybe you need to learn some respect.”

Daniel’s gaze dropped briefly to Nolan’s hands.

Then returned to his face.

“Respect isn’t something you can force out of people.”

Nolan grabbed Daniel’s shirt.

The audience gasped.

Celeste stepped backward.

Eric shouted.