Bound by billonaires hidden agenda

----

leaned against the walls, waiting for a home. Sophia stood at the center of the chaos, sleeves rolled up, her fo

attention locked on a clipboard. "What do y

" I replied smoothly, leani

s narrowing. "It's not

a smirk. "But you're running o

d. "Have you given any thought to the contract? Because you hav

. But instead, she placed the clipboard down with exaggerated

ed. "You just need to trust

g at me. "You make it sound

if you want to keep this gallery open. You're drowning, Sophi

conflict in her eyes-the struggle between pride and practicality. It wa

t," she said finall

too long. Deadlines have a funn

if the conversation were over. It wasn't, but

front of me was thick, filled with old maps, property records, and notes that hinted at something far more v

't just a buildi

there-cryptic references to "buried assets," the strange map that c

he Blackwood's before his death, a

m my thoughts. A text from my investigator:

ng pleasantly as I leaned back in my chair. Whatever this was, i

mming in my veins. Sophia was already there, unpacking a shipment of ar

ly," she said wi

way," I replied,

ting a canvas before setting it

ce just enough to make her look at

e glanced up, her express

off my tongue. "But we need to face reality. The gallery can't

arms. "And by 'adapt,' you me

o be. This isn't about control; it's about survival. I can give you the resources and

ed. "And what's

d. "What matters is that I c

way, focusing on the artwork again as if th

er. "Don't waste your chance, Sophia. O

s, I returned to the file on my desk. The pieces were starting to co

e. A key to something my father had been searching for. Somet

o much I didn't know, but one thing was certain: whatever secret

e as needed to uncover the truth. She thought this was abo

sfied smile play on my lips. The game was jus