<h4>Chapter 14: The Watchdog</h4>


    Anna


    I drummed my fingers against my desk, reviewing Rachel’stest intel on the Phoenix Project leak. It was worse than I thought.


    "The ess logs point to someone with direct entry to Trevor’s system," Rachel said grimly. "It’s an inside job."


    I sighed, massaging my temples. Trevor was brilliant in research but alwayscking in management instincts. That made him easy to manipte maybe even sabotage.


    My phone buzzed. William Murphy shed across the screen.


    "Anna, my dear," came his smooth, familiar voice. "Join us for dinner tonight? I’ve had some exceptional bluefin tuna flown in."


    Before I could invent a polite excuse, he added, "Marcus will be here too. He specifically asked if you wereing."


    That made me pause.


    "I’d be delighted," I said smoothly. "Should I bring anything?"


    "Just yourself, dear."


    Still, I arrived at Murphy Estate with a carefully chosen artisan vase. No matter what the host says, one should nevere empty handed. To my surprise, Marcus was already there, lounging in the garden, effortlessly elegant.


    "Following the scent of bluefin tuna?" I teased.


    His gaze swept over me slow, unreadable, focused. "Something like that."


    William beamed when we entered. "Anna! You must try this best tuna money can buy!"


    "Everything tastes better at your table," I smiled, epting a ss of wine.


    As we dined, William’s tone grew serious. "I heard about the Phoenix mess. Need my help?"


    I kept my voice light. "Nothing I can’t handle. Once we identify the leak..."


    "Lucy has Mary’s backing," William warned. "But you have me."


    A subtle power y. He was offering protection. Compensating, perhaps, for Jack’s betrayal.


    Then Marcus spoke, his voice calm but deliberate.


    "This isn’t just about catching a mole. Your team needs someone loyal to you overseeing operations."


    I studied him. He was right. I’d been thinking too small. This wasn’t just about finding the traitor it was about fortifying loyalty. Preventing the next betrayal.


    I raised my ss, our eyes meeting. Something electric pulsed in the air between us.


    Later that night, driving home, Marcus’s words kept echoing.


    I couldn’t afford to reassign any of my key team members. They were already overextended.


    Then it struck me.


    "Rachel," I called. "What was Sean’s background again?"


    "MIT. Financial engineering. Investment firm experience before... well, Olympus Club." She paused, understanding dawning. "You’re thinking of promoting him?"


    "Take me to Rosa Vi."


    We made a quick stop at the mall. If Sean was going to represent me, he needed to look the part.


    When we arrived, Sean was buried in financial journals, scrambling to hide them as I entered.


    "Ms. Shaw!" He jumped to his feet, panic flickering in his eyes. "I know I haven’t met expectations, but please I could work as your driver, or—"


    "Actually," I cut him off, "I have a proposition."


    His mouth snapped shut.


    "How would you like to oversee the Phoenix Project?"


    His eyes widened. "But... Jack Simpson..."


    "Will likely try to make your life hell? Yes." I set the bags down. "There will be rumors, of course. About why I chose you. Can you handle that?"


    He straightened, determination tightening his jaw. "I was desperate enough to work at Olympus Club to cover my father’s treatment. I can handle anything."


    "Good," I said. "Rachel will brief you. From now on, you report directly to me. Any hint of trouble you tell me first."


    I gestured to the shopping bags. "Those are for you. Clothes, essories... When you represent me, you need to look the part."


    His fingers trembled slightly as he touched the luxury watch. "I won’t let you down."


    "See that you don’t." I turned to leave, then paused. "Prove yourself, and you might just earn a permanent position at Shaw Corp."


    Lucy


    The email hit like a p.


    "Sean Smith appointed Project Director oversight and coordination with Simpson Group."


    I stared at it, my nails tapping a sharp rhythm on the desk.


    "Transparent," I sneered. "She doesn’t even try to hide it."


    Anna Shaw had appointed herpdog. I stood, adjusting my dress. If she thought this pretty-boy in a tailored suit could intimidate me, she clearly didn’t know me at all.


    I headed straight to Shaw Corp’s executive floor. Sean was in the conference room, dressed like a Wall Street prodigy, buried in project docs.


    "Mr. Smith," I greeted, syrupy-sweet, extending my hand. Let’s see if he’d dare ignore it.


    He did.


    "Ms. Taylor," he said coolly. "Just reviewing thetest reports. Concerning numbers."


    "Where’s Trevor?" I pressed. "And how are you managing the Trevor situation?"


    "Ms. Shaw is unavable. I’ll be handling all Phoenix matters going forward."


    His voice was smooth. Unshakable. I scanned him again. The suit was expensive. The watch custom, high end.


    "You represent Shaw Corp’s interests now?" I scoffed. "You mean Anna’s."


    "Correct. I represent Ms. Shaw. If you have concerns, I’ll address them."


    I narrowed my eyes. "Everyone knows what you really are her trained pet in an expensive cor."


    He remained calm. "Then direct yourints to me. Ms. Shaw is not to be disturbed."


    I turned on my heel and stormed out. The audacity.


    Later that evening, over dinner at the Simpson estate, I casually dropped the news.


    "Anna’s reced Trevor," I said, sipping wine. "With someone very close to her."


    Jack’s newspaper twitched in his hands. A tell he never mastered.


    "It’s outrageous," Mary scoffed. "She protects the real spy and mes poor Trevor."


    "We should involve the police," Jack muttered.


    "No, darling," I said sweetly. "This must be handled... delicately. For the sake of bothpanies."


    Mary reached across the table, touching my hand. "You’re so selfless. Not like that Shaw woman. You’ve sacrificed so much for Jack."


    Later, in Jack’s study, I nted the seed.


    "You should see Sean now," I purred. "Eighty-eight-thousand-dor watch. Anna’s personal representative."


    Jack’s eyes darkened.


    "You’re the project head," he said tly. "Handle it however you see fit."


    I smiled to myself as I left.


    Finally, he didn’t lose control when he heard Anna’s name.


    He was bing predictable.


    And I intended to use that to my full advantage.