Tom Anderson stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, his steely gaze fixed on the bustling city below. The setting sun cast long shadows across the skyline, mirroring the darkness that had settled in his heart. The sting of losing the Nexus contract to MK still burned, but it was overshadowed by a more insidious pain – the nagging suspicion that he had been played for a fool.
A soft knock at the door broke his reverie. "Come in," he called, not turning from the window.
"Tom?" Vivian's melodic voice filled the room. "I brought those reports you asked for."
He turned slowly, taking in the sight of his ex-fiancée. Vivian looked as polished and beautiful as ever, her smile warm and inviting. But now, with his eyes fully open, Tom could see the calculation behind that smile, the
