the people you trust the most." The phrase had a way of burrowing into his thoughts, festering there, casting doubt on everythin

Alexander stopped mid-stride, his eyes flicking to his phone on the desk. Emily's name lingered on the screen, his thumb

phia stepped into the office, her heels clicking softly against the marb

oaching him with a measured grace.

d curtly, his tone clipped. "T

y she always did when he was upset. "Someth

t now, the weight of suspicion clouded his judgment. The caller's cryptic warning w

d, choosing his words carefully. "I'

ing a hand on his arm. "You know you can trust me,

unease gnawing at him. Her timing tonight felt too perfect, too conve

y from her touch, "but I need

oss her face. "You don't have to push me away

sk, drawing both their attention. Alexander picked

-

htly her knuckles turned white. The conversation with her father replayed in her mi

our part. Now

e from dutiful daughter to something far more complicated. Her feelings for Alexand

s from an unknown number: "He knows mor

, but it sent a chill down her spine. Whoever had sent it

ng Alexander's name. She hesitated before

ice was cold, a sharp contrast to

is anger pressing down on her. "I didn

already told me you were spying on me. If

ow to say it without breaking whatever fragile connection

d. "You said your father's invol

's something you need to know about your father," she s

the phone tightene

ing together for years. Hartley Industries isn't what you think

nd shift beneath

ther built this empire on secrets, Alexander. And

retive, but this was beyond anything he could h

d, her voice breaking. "And because I-"

what?" Alex

ver meant to hurt you, Alexander. I thought I could

nder spoke again, his voice was cold and distant.

t," she said despera

"We'll see," he sa

-

door, her heart pounding. She had heard

long suspected: there was more at play than Alexander reali

nd if Emily thought she could worm her way

into the room, her

?" she as

r, his expression unreada

ing the storm brewing insi

-

der found a package wait

andwritten note: "The truth about yo

y instinct screamed at him to leave it alo

e into his laptop,

peared on the screen

ou're watching this, it means you've started

leaving Alexander staring at

ger than he had imagined. And it w