Reignite the Flame

ve warmth that did little to soothe Ella Stone's fraying nerves. The sharp clacking of her heels echoed against the m

ooks," Ella demanded, her voice

ing on the screen. "The press got the merge

e tablet. Headlines from major busine

erger Jeopard

Billion-Dollar

ered, tossing the tablet onto the de

here's no sign of an external brea

ises had betrayed her, and it wasn't just her company at risk-i

e. She snatched it up, expecting another headline or cr

Co

her to answer. But her pride

she snapped, her voice

ost too calm. "I assume

e of her nose. "If you're calling to gloat,

to help," Max

rd. "Help? Since when do y

x replied, his tone firm. "We need to cont

"You think I'd trust you to

unsettle her. "But you can't do this alone, Ella. Let me handle the media

gratitude swirling inside her. She hated that he w

ice clipped. "But don't think fo

one. "I'll send over my PR team. In the meantime, figure out who

er word, gripping her phone tight

Clara asked

er voice like steel. "I want every employee's

d headlines on the screen. Stone Enterprises' board members sat aroun

voice rising. "The leak already makes us look incompetent. I

like he owned the place. His tailored navy suit fit him perfectly

his piercing gaze landing on Ella. "I thought I'd s

g. "You don't have the author

rk. "We're partners now, remember?

faced off. Finally, the chairman cleared his throat. "If

y, her jaw tight as Max

rate, and the timing wasn't random. Someone wanted this information public be

m trying to figure out. But if you ha

rs. "I have a few ideas. But first, I'll handle the med

charm works," E

Max replied, his

over access logs and employee files. The tension in her shoulders was unbe

er the room until he set a

e said, leaning agains

r exhaustion evident. "

n't burn yourself ou

f the coffee despite hersel

thing unreadable in his eyes. "I've always c

pushed the feeling aside. "Well, if you're here to

on't have to do this alone, you know. You've built

r flaring. "And whose fault i

r throat tightening as

but firm. "I made mistakes, Ella. W

between them shifted. The weight of their shared

u to save me," s

arely above a whisper. "Maybe no

a notification: "Unauthorized acc

t the alert, her mind racing. Was Jon