Alexis stood there, her complexion ashen.

Leonel stepped in, shouldering through the crowd to shield her. But the moment offered a gap, and a reporter prodded, “Mr. Douglas, is a wedding with Anika on the horizon?"

Leonel's voice was icy as he clarified, "You've got it wrong. Miss Cohen and I are strictly professional. That's all it's ever going to be."

The gathered crowd became a whirlwind of murmurs.

It was clear Leonel was pledging fidelity to his former spouse, but did his timing not render his gestures empty?