owed. "What are

matic smile. "Let's just say... the truth

ou're being deliberately vague, Ms. Bennett. If you wa

It's reality. You and I both know your situation is... delicate. What

ng, with no hesitation in their voice. His world was full of sycophants and opportunists, people desper

ice calm but firm. "Spell

r expression serious now. "O

laugh. "A million? For what? Legal advice?

ase, Mr. Grayson. You've been accused of siphoning two hundred million dollars. The SEC will tear through your company, your accounts, your personal

d. "And you think y

fraud cases before. I know how prosecutors think, how they build their ar

an eyebrow.

, I know how to navigate the system. I can find the holes in their case, expose th

ind racing. He didn't trust her-not entirely. But he couldn't deny she had a po

inally. "Why should I

he straightened in her chair, her voice steady. "Because I've been where you are. Cornered. B

moment, neither of them spoke. Then Alex lea

ention. But if I'm going to put my future in your h

, her eyes sharp and u

terms were clear: she'd be paid one million dollars upfront, with an additional bonus if she successfully cleared Alex's name. It

y that made her hesitate. I

chable. The kind of man who'd crush anyone who stood in his way. Working for someone like him

s, her mother's medical bills, and the weight of mistakes she'd made years ago.

er from her thoughts. She picked it up a

aid, trying to kee

eplied. "Just check

y. She hadn't told him about Al

bills are piling up, though. I'm

a pang of guilt. He was doing his bes

ly. "I've got something in th

his voice full of doubt. "

said firmly. "I'll fig

mother lying in a hospital bed, about Jake working two jobs to make ends meet. And she thought ab

p breath and c

in the heart of Manhattan. The receptionist escorted her to a private conference room,

al," he said.

ook a seat across from him. "I'm assum

t your payment by the end of th

w so far. Financial records, internal emails, statements from

documents. "Who has access to these accoun

you to find out. If someone in my company is b

full access to your company's records. And I'll need to

ome of them might

aid firmly. "This is your company, Alex. If

odded. "Fine. But be careful. Whoever

mirked. "Ne

, Alex's phone buzzed. He glan

t?" Charlo

e toward her, showing her the headline: "Exclusive:

mpossible. I just started digging t

id, his voice tight with anger. "Whoeve

rrowed. "Then we ne

ion deadly serious. "How fast ca

er voice steady. "Give me

f doubt in his eyes. "You'd better. Be