Diane's POV
The shrill ring of my phone pierced through the morning quiet, startling me from my thoughts as I sat at Joan's kitchen table, absently stirring my tea. Guerrero's name flashed on the screen, and I felt my pulse quicken. After his cold, dismissive response to the Elite Group contract, I wasn't sure what to expect from him.
"Mrs. Ashton," his voice came through the line, and I was surprised by how different he sounded...subdued, almost vulnerable. Gone was the confident, commanding tone I'd grown accustomed to. "I hope I'm not calling too early."
"Not at all," I replied cautiously. "What can I do for you, Mr. Guerrero?"
There was a long pause, and when he spoke again, his voice carried a weight I'd never heard before. "I owe you an apology, Diane. A lot has been going on with me lately, and that's why I haven't reached out to you properly since... well, since you secured that incredible contract with Elite Group. I know my response was inadequate, and I'm sorry."
