in one hand. The sleek room hummed with quiet energy-executives shuffled papers, Angela Cho, the no-nonsense

"Charles Ryder's Legacy: Brilliance or Betrayal?"-had stayed with her, along with the photo of Charles Ryde

rossed the room. "Ms. Thompson," he said, his

a confident s

---

wable energy project. The numbers were strong-on paper. But as Lexi listene

Liam turned his gaze t

e began, choosing her words carefully. "But this isn't just about profits or projections. What you're proposing isn't a

he table, but Angela's shar

hieve that?" Liam asked,

s gaze. "I

gesturing toward the scre

roject into a narrative that highlighted innovation and hope for a cleaner future. She painted a pictu

room was silent for a m

eptical but grudgingly impressed. "But

said, his voice

er Lexi, but it

esent this to the

ze. "The

ly. If we're moving forward, we'll need their full support-and their approva

expected to work behind the scen

prepare," Liam continued, his voic

ed on her shoulders, and she

---

ere higher than she'd anticipated, and she couldn't afford a misstep. Yet her thoughts kept drifting to the newspape

n't hear the knock on her

the midni

ed over his arm and his tie slightly loosened. The sharp e

ink about," she said, le

air. "I have no doubt you'll impress them. But I wante

newspaper clipping. Now wasn't the time to bri

said. "Are they a

y. "Not all of them. Harold Bennet

he'll try to b

ennett has been waiting for an opportunity to undermin

to convince him otherw

his gaze lingered on her. "Y

if there's one thing I know h

eyes studied her, and Lexi felt a flick

t I expected,"

she asked, rais

aid softly.

r cheeks warm. She quickly turned back to her lapto

ad, he lingered, watching her as if trying to figu

aled, her thoughts racing. She glanced at her bag

into Liam's world, the