Austin sat alone in his office long after midnight, lamp throwing hard shadows across files and receipts. Illicit shipments, coded transfers, offshore accounts—the pieces painted a picture he couldn’t unsee. His parents had built their empire on more than ambition. They’d built it on blood and silence.
Selene was safe for now, hidden far away with the cash he’d given her. But every hour she was out there alone felt like borrowed time. The wedding illusion had to hold—rehearsal tomorrow, ceremony soon—while he dug for the truth that would free them both.
A knock. Adam stepped in, cautious.
“Boss… it’s late. You sure about doing this solo?”
Austin didn’t look up. “If I don’t connect these dots, Selene stays a target.”
Adam hesitated. “Office gossip’s getting louder. Supply chain ‘
