t of it still sat heavily in her hand. Inside was the truth she had been chasing-the key to unlocking the secrets surro

r had made that clear when he slid it across the table, his eyes warning her of the consequences. B

rds. It was a detailed contract between Grayson Enterprises and a company she had never heard of-Vanguard Solutions. The contract outlined a series of high-stakes

as ext

rom Grayson Enterprises through a network of offshore accounts. The money trail was complicated, hidden behind layers of sh

involved in the scheme. Some of the names she recognized-powerful businessmen, polit

participant. The contracts were signed by him, his name etched in black ink at the bottom of every page. He had been i

der-who had built an empire from nothi

ite his warnings and his secrecy, she had believed that he was trying

pose the truth and take down one of the most powerful men in the city. But either way, she couldn't deny the fe

ped into her throat. Who would be at her door this late? She cautiously approa

no

y opened the door, adrenalin

e. His perfectly tailored suit and calm demeanor s

of documents on her desk. "What are you doing he

lled the small space as if he owned it. "I'm here becau

n't know what you're talking about

on't play games with me, Ms. Harper. I know Alexander ga

ned. She had to think

understand that this is much bigger than you. It's bigger than Alexander, too. You've go

ure. "I'm not interested in your 'way out,' Donova

isn't some exposé on corporate greed. This is about survival. You publish t

e full weight of it. She had known from the beginning that she was dealin

n't going t

ce," Emilia said, her voice fi

sn't a threat, Ms. Carter. It's a promise. If you go forward with this, ev

"What are you

d you, whatever sob story he's told you about being a victim-it's all just a cover. He's been involve

true? Could Alexander have been

rper. Burn those documents, forget you ever saw them, and I'll make sure you c

ovan turned and walked out, leaving

questions, doubts, and a growing sense of dread. Was Donovan telling the truth? Was Alexander

confront Alexander, to hear

dialed Alexander's number. It rang twice b

ili

e said, her voice tremb

luttered desk where papers lie scattered. Emilia stands at the open d