/1/108169/coverbig.jpg?v=d5d7eec68d506045e3b9157167802d96&imageMogr2/format/webp)
came at
n almost did
the vibration sharp in the quiet room. She glanced
wn nu
back to h
s invoice she didn't remember agreeing to. Her mother's medical bills. Every number felt heavier than
ne buzz
exhale
d go away. Most things did event
d buzz d
up the phon
was si
ward kind.
hat felt i
ine st
at last. Calm. Professional. C
his?" Ari
tive from Bla
seemed
ediately. "You hav
eplied. "And this ca
und the phone. "I don't d
re of your
ade he
" the voice continued smooth
rtbeat
concern," Ariella said, tho
e the man on the other end w
Quinn," he said. "And her accou
st the chair scraped l
did yo
ion tomorrow," the man replie
not c
want to r
aid
use. This
voice said evenly, "the situ
dry. "Are you
inn. I'm in
ne wen
r phone long after t
names in
ckw
e company that had swallowed smaller firms whole. The name that surfaced in every article that mentioned the colla
t sleep t
ked exactly like it
med. Ariella stood across the street for a long moment, staring u
crossed
ors. Muted colors. People moving with purpose, not curiosity. S
was
said after a quick glance at
ect
l talk. No waiting. The doors closed with a soft, final sound
ty-f
ty-
y-ei
or opened, the
e end of the corridor,
epped
iling windows framed the city below like something owned, no
o her, hands in his pockets
he was befo
n Bla
. He simply stood there, unbothered by her presence,
is gaze settled on her-sh
ame,"
r chin. "You ment
pression giving nothing away. Then he walked
problem," he
tened. "What k
esn't disappear w
n the desk between the
didn't t
this?"
olut
ort, humorless l
ed steady. "Whether
"Your company de
he said
ssion st
tinued, voice shaking. "You made peo
," Lucien replied. "Damage
get to de
ned slightly.
between them, heav
he didn't want to open it. Didn't want to
ou want?" she
dying her like a chess
cooper
spiked. "D
ere I can p
n, sharper this
s coming,"
inally touche
felt heavier th
e asked, not
't answer i
is voice was l
formation you'
a swal
d inside that folder-she knew on
n altered the moment her
ver return to what
/1/108169/coverbig.jpg?v=d5d7eec68d506045e3b9157167802d96&imageMogr2/format/webp)