The billionaire's secret guardian

relentless curtain,

tries, the company she had been investigating for months. The city skyline stretched before her, lost in a blanket of fog

et the man face-to-face. But his name echoed through the corridors of the corporate world like a

e was something about Cross Industries that reeked of corruption, deceit, and hidden motives. And Cassidy was determined to expose it all

confront the man who might be responsible for ruining lives, including her own. She wasn't naïve enough to believe i

reflection in the polished metal. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, her makeup carefully a

ffice. The building smelled faintly of polished wood and expensive cologne. The receptionist behind the

ing you," the receptionist said, her voice a

in her stomach. She had prepared for this meeting for weeks, but now that it w

, the city was a blur of rain-soaked lights. Behind a massive mahogany desk sat the man himself-Alexander Cross. His back was to her, but

ic dark and luxurious, just like the man. Cassidy had seen countless photographs of him over

eld the power to destroy everything she believed in, the man

for a brief moment, Cassidy felt the world tilt on its ax

"I've been expecting you." His gaze didn't waver as

didn't let it show. She was here to get answers, no

eyes, as though he could see through her façade. She was an unknown variabl

ng his hands neatly on the desk. "I assume you've come here for

to ask for answers, Mr. Cross," she replied. "I'm here t

g look. His expression was unreadable, but Cassidy could sen

Ms. Lane? Because if you are, you should know that threats

confrontation she had prepared for-manipulation, intimidation, and power plays. But sh

ou can tell me everything-about the company, the lies, the corruption-or I will expose it all to the w

thought he might laugh at her. But instead, he jus

ly, his voice dark and measured. "And I certainly don't take

could destroy him-his empire, his legacy-but it could also destroy her. If she didn't

w about the offshore accounts, the illegal dealings, the destruction of your competitors. I know about your family's ti

t was enough. She had struck a nerve. He didn't flinch,

leaning forward slightly. "Bu

k down. "And so ca

the air. Alexander's eyes narrowed, and a shadow passed over his expression. He was calculating, e

te and slow. "You're out of your depth, Ms.

ed a beat. This was i

g. The storm they were about to endure would test them both, forcing them to confront