Reignite the Flame

her desk, flipping through the leaked documents for what felt like the hundredth time, her mind racing.

tone Enterprises' CFO, standing in the doorway. His expression was calm-to

, gesturing for him

ing the door behind him

air, studying him. "I want

ral, but his hands flexed at

. "These. Someone leaked confidential merger details to the press. I need to know

but didn't touch it. "You thi

someone with access to sensitive informa

ugh it lacked humor. "You're not se

ot back, her tone shar

ilt, or maybe fear. "I've worked for this company for years, Ella. I've been loyal

e motive. You've had access to every piece of information that

ct, if I were going to sabotage the merger, I

wing as she searched his face for cracks in his

inally, her voice calm but firm. "Because if

ded stiffly.

r to the truth than before. But one thing

face-to-face with Max again. They were seated across from each other

oth and commanding, "I want to introduce someone who'll

bly dressed man entered. His smile w

ax said. "He's been my r

e the unease prickling at the back of her neck. Derek's

voice low and warm. "I've

e," she replied, fo

oothly, though his eyes b

k's attention was more focused on her than the merger. He asked poin

ises on your own?" he asked at one po

mposure. "Challenging, as any

ngering. "I imagine it mu

n darkening. "We're here to discuss t

ing more, his attention shi

ation boiling over. She barely had time to catch her breath

hat?" she demanded,

eyebrow. "Wh

. "The way he kept trying to underm

upted, his tone clipped

"Oh, so now you're my

one has to be. Do you think Derek's interes

from anger or something else, she cou

. It's about trust. You think you can handle everythi

n just fine," she shot back. "I don

re between them shifted. "Maybe you don't. Bu

caught in her throat. The weight of his gaze,

. The tension from the day lingered, and her mind was a whirlwind of Jonatha

, a manila folder caught her ey

her and Max, taken at a charity gala years ago. They were

o in red ink were the words:

at the image, her mind racing. Who

. The screen lit up with a message from an unknown

blood r

electricity faltered. Ella froze as the shadows in the h