mind racing with new information about Ava. He had to admit, he was

documents, Julian's phone b

Ava's financials," Rachel said,

his interest piqued. "

n making some... unusual transactions. Large sums of money ar

cing with possibilities. What was Ava involved in

ed, his voice firm. "I want to know eve

ng that he was getting close to something big. Ava was h

, his mind racing with possibilities. Who was behind these my

an's phone buzzed again. This time,

on 5th and Main at 2 pm,"

is curiosity got the better of him. Who was behind th

s fingers flying across the

e through his veins. He had no idea what he was getting

om for any sign of his mysterious contact. The shop was bustling w

er, a hood pulled up over their head. He felt a shiv

he table, his heart pounding in his chest. Who was th

ontinuation

, the figure pushed back its h

, Julian's y

an asked, his voice low and ur

ore focusing on Julian. "I need to talk to you abo

rowed. "What do y

from her bag. "I've been doing some digging," sh

He took the folder from Emily

ed in shock. What Emily ha

oice trembling. "She's been hiding a dark secret,

ecret could Ava be hiding? And ho

ked on hers. "We need to talk to

ay to their family's estate, their min

that his parents were already wa

o talk," Julian said

oncerned glance, but nodd

"I've been investigating Ava, and I found

erine, frowned. "W

ot Ava Anderson. She's actually the daughter of a wealt

d forward, his eyes narrow

her dad. "It looks like Ava's father was involved in money la

s Julian's family dige

What did Ava's past have to do with her p

seeing the concern and wo

va about this," Julian

ke action, his phone buzzed wit

s," the text read. "But

screen. Who was sending him these mysterio

ension flying between them. He knew exactly wh

lian said, his voice firm but

ed a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She ha

said, her voice dripping with honey. "I think it'

intrigued despite himsel

Julian said, hi

r bag. "I've prepared a little presentation," she said, her voice

lf drawn into her web of words. She was a master

shake the feeling that he was missing something. What

drawn into her web of words. He had to admit, he w

g that there was more to her proposal than met the eye. He leane

his eyes. For a moment, they just stared at

he hadn't experienced in a long time. He quick

ce low and even. "What's really going on here? You'

them. For a moment, Julian thought he saw a flicker of something

ly. "Of course not, Julian," she said. "I'm just trying to make a

little bit faster. He knew Ava was a shrewd busines

stealing glances at Ava, noticing the way her hair fell in loose

that he was attracted to Ava in a way