her father's name smeared across the headline. The news about his

hispered, more to her

crossed. "You think your father

he more it feels like something bigger. Like... someone is pullin

to face her. "Zadie? You

ore. But I can't ignore the signs. And Derek Chad...

. Eva stood to open it. Standing there, framed by the

s voice was fill

d inside hesitantly. "I know this looks sudden. I

You left without a word. Left

y. "I was struggling... I needed space. But I'm

ingered in her mind. "Do you know more ab

"There are things I

face darkening. "Derek Mason's pushing hard. Legal sui

't get away with i

y. "Maybe... we wor

brow. "You and I?

t smile. "Sometimes, survival

r glass office, cold and calculating. S

voice sharp. "Lucian, you're losing

are. "I'm doing w

n. "We'll see how long

. "You need to watch your back. Derek Chad is making m

n hardened. "Thank

need you to dig deeper into those transactio

t. "Already on it. You'll

y a knock on the door. Gavin Pierc

ngston's mess," he said smoothly. "I ha

refully. "What's y

o angle. Just a

wasn't c

when Evelyn Cross arrived at the pentho

ed her cooll

hed grace. "Lucian. I

th a mixture of jea

goes deeper than you think," he said quietly. "And the sabotage at

"What do you

careful. Not everyone

olleague. "Lucian's losing his grip. Eva's influence

s path at a gala. "Eva, your past work uncovered

t raced. "

eyes sharp.

with hostile board members, including Vivian and Mason, he declared,

grew sick. Eva hurried to her side.

ching Eva tend to Ari. His

p, surprised

ng here.

for a brief moment, the

in the boardroom. "This is my wife,

d. Eva's he

she whispere

dy. "Because you're mo

elope, trembling. Pictures of her and Ari. A red dot on Ari's forehead. Th

oice shaking. "They'

. "We protect our fam

had trul

iage fake or not carried real stak

ing storm