The silence of Julian Thorne's penthouse office was heavy, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of a minimalist clock on the wall. The panoramic view of the city, usually a source of pride and inspiration, now felt like a mocking reminder of his own internal turmoil. He stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze unfocused as he wrestled with the events of the past few days.
He had been consumed by the Henderson deal, obsessed with defeating Liam Walker and securing the acquisition at any cost. His ambition had blinded him, leading him to make decisions he now regretted. He thought back to his conversation with Mary, his request that she betray Liam Walker's trust ,who doesn't even know and become his informant. The memory filled him with a sense of shame.
He had just
