th of Sophia's words from just days ago. She had been a trusted ally, a confidante-but now, s

is voice calm though his heart thundered in h

ielding. "You've dug too deep, Alex. You're threatenin

sbelief. "Is this about my father? Hartley Indu

about power, Alex. You should understand that better than anyone. But inste

name, but he didn't wave

on you started asking questions, isn't she? The reason you've been sniff

said, his voice low and steady. "Keeping me distra

ed. "And it worked b

er Th

om the city center. There, she met Harris, a man who once worked as an

aid, his eyes darting n

Emily replied, sliding into the seat across fro

ng with your father-and Alexander's-for years. They've built a network using Hartley Ind

ch dropped. "

orchestrating it. Sophia's the one tying it all together

was hiding something, but this revelation made

now?" Emily aske

Harris said, his voice trembling. "And because y

at th

aut with tension. He needed to find a way out of this

he asked, keeping his voice steady. "You rea

r resting lightly on the trigger. "

I do that if you pull that trigger, everything falls apart. The board will turn on you.

pression remained calm. "You

e yourself," Alexander said, se

and twisting it. The gun fell from her hand with

gth and determination overpowered her. With one final shove, he pinned her agains

verything," he growled, hi

You think you've won? You're in over your head,

d, tightening his grip on her ar

ven if I told you, it wouldn't matter. They'll come fo

at Hartle

ith every unanswered call. The text message she had found on his de

l. "Alexander, it's me. I know about Sophia. She's dangero

willing it to ring, but t

at th

his possession. She sat slumped against the

l me everything," he

g into a bitter smile. "You don't hav

e said, coc

with contempt. "You want the truth? Your father built this empire on lies. He's been in

stomach tu

ing that matters," Sophia sai

chilling reminder of just h

the lies, the dangerous truths-it was all spiraling out of control. And if he d