iant life, but the brief plunge into darkness had unleashed an upheav

r Reyes's voice thundered, her gavel

front and center. She recognized him instantly, a former consultant for the Dune Haven development team, ousted y

table, his fingers drummed a jittery beat against the polished

your accusations are grave. If you possess evidence, p

f documents on the commissioners' table, his mo

ddenly gain a conscience when it comes to environmental issues? And why would an idealistic

frenzied insects. Jade's stomach had dropped, her heart

declared, voice unwavering yet sharp, "Drake Industries not only welcomes examination-we demand it. Our environ

it was time to respond. Rising confidently, she fa

ve made. I performed my own independent assessments before entering this partnership.

fore finally nodding. "The board will review these documents. We

escorted out, he cast one last, sinister glan

from over. The war

Julian's so-called "evidence" hanging in the balance. No d

t fast, the entire project-and their precariously balanced engagement

whirlwind, pacing the living room

urgency. "Someone is determined to sabotage this projec

is expression sharp and calculating as he watched her

tracks, her eyes narrow

ut framing you as the accomplice. The once-innocent advocate turned corporate trai

on bubbling beneath th

helming her with his presence. His cologne wafted around her-s

s," he urged, intensity in his t

determination flickering in her

nsparent, united front." He cracked a grim smile. "We exp

r all to see gnawing at her. But the truth hit her like a lightni

All right. But it's on my terms. No

h an intensity that border

ed with new energy, the sta

looking the sweeping dunes and crashing waves below. The air crackled with anticipation as Ja

oastal News Now, dove right in, her que

ur sudden alliance with Drake Industries. Some eve

ed eyes with the reporter-and the thousands

e it because it's essential. This is our moment to set a bold new precedent. We can prove that development and conservatio

gaze to Elliot. "And you, Mr. Dr

is slipping away. Pretending the old ways still work? That's a death sentence for places like Dune Haven." His eyes dr

rds. For a heartbeat, the vibe between them felt almost electric-the par

sliced through the charged

engagement genuine-or mer

to Jade, a silent exchan

he camera, a thin smile pl