of the largest construction conglomerates in the country, was embroiled in a business scandal. His dealings with a rival company had been exposed, and the media was having a field day.

g to save the company. I thought-" "You thought what?!" she interjected, her voice shaking. "That I wouldn't care? That I wouldn't understand? You didn't even trust me enough to tell me what you were doing. You've betrayed not just Ravenswood-but me. I thought you were the one I could count on, and now, I feel like I don't even know you." There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Then, Thomas's voice came through, softer, almost pleading. "Please... Isabella. Let me explain. Don't let this destroy everything. Please." But Isabella didn't answer. She ended the call, dropping the phone onto the couch as she fell into the nearest chair, the weight of the situation pressing down on her chest. *How did I not see this?* she thought, her head spinning. *How did I not see the cracks in him before?* She couldn't trust him anymore-not the way she had before. He had let her down in the worst way possible, and there was no coming back from that. --- *Jonathan's Pov** Jonathan watched the news with growing frustration, his hands tightly gripping the edge of his desk. The damage was already done. The allegations against Thomas were all over the business world, and while Jonathan knew the full story, he also knew it didn't matter. The Ravenswood name was now tainted. What hurt the most was that Thomas had been a part of the family. Jonathan had treated him like a son. To see everything unravel like this... it felt like a personal betrayal. But what angered him more was that Isabella hadn't said a word. She hadn't called to discuss it. *She doesn't understand the severity of this*, Jonathan thought bitterly. *She's too blinded by her emotions to see that the company comes first.* The door to his office opened, and his assistant, Elena, stepped in, carrying a stack of reports. "Mr. Ravenswood, I just spoke with the board members. They're asking for a statement regarding Thomas," she said. Jonathan sighed. "What else is new? They want someone to blame, don't they?" "They're questioning if he's fit to remain part of the company." Jonathan's heart sank. He knew it would happen. *Of course they'd turn on him. No one wants to be associated with a scandal.* "Call a meeting with the board," Jonathan ordered. "We need