"Where is she?" Channing Irving demanded, his deep eyes scanning Flint coldly. He was armed andpletely serious.


    Flint choked on his words. The Boss had ordered him to bring Coralie to him, but now Channing was here to rescue her. If Flint refused to hand her over, this kid looked fully prepared to start a bloodbath.


    "She''s fine." Not wanting to escte things, Flint put on a diplomatic smile. "Our Boss just wants a quick word with her, so she can''t leave quite yet. But rest assured, not a single hair on her head has been harmed."


    Channing stood his ground, his dark gaze locked onto Flint. Judging by the man''s tone, they must have figured out Coralie''s connection to Juniper.


    "Stand down," Channing signaled to his men. "I want to see her and confirm she''s safe."


    Flint hesitated but figured the kid couldn''t do much damage on his own.


    The heavy door swung open.


    Coralie sat in a chair, staring nkly at the small window near the ceiling. There was no fear or sadness on her face; she looked as calm as a painting. Hearing the door, she turned, expecting Shanley, but was stunned to see Channing.


    "What are you doing here?" Coralie looked at him in surprise, then noticed the crowd of men outside. "You brought a whole crew to break in?"


    "I did," Channing nodded. The deadly aura surrounding him vanished, reced by a soft, devoted look. "I couldn''t reach you and got worried. I took the liberty of mobilizing the casino''s security team."


    "You know Shanley Schwartz took me?" she asked, eyes narrowing.


    "Yes." Channing frowned. "Please don''t be angry that I bypassed your orders. You know how powerful he is."


    "If you know who he is, why would you bring a handful of guys here? If he wanted me dead, you''d just be throwing your life away," Coralie said, her emotions a tangled mess. Shanley was virtually untouchable.


    "I didn''t care," Channing said softly. His hair was messy, his eyes slightly red. He looked like a loyal, heartbroken puppy.


    Coralie''s heart softened. He genuinely cared about her.


    "On my way here, I received a package." Channing pulled a DNA report from his jacket. "Theb couldn''t get ahold of you, so they called me."


    "Already?" Coralie practically snatched the folder from his hands, her fingers fumbling as she opened it. "I thought it would take three days."


    "They must have rushed it," Channing said quietly, not borating. "Read it."


    Coralie flipped straight to the final page. The gic match was near-perfect-a 99% probability of being biological sisters.


    99%.


    Staring at the number, Coralie''s


    hands began to shake


    uncontrobly. It wasn''t a deel


    Juniper really was her little sister She had a family.


    She couldn''t wait another second. She needed to see Juniper right now.


    But the moment she stepped toward the door, Flint blocked her path. His attitude was entirely different now practically bowing in respect. "Lam deeply sorry Ms. Quill but M Schwartz has requested your


    presence."


    II


    "Requested?" Coralie scoffed, her arrogance ring. "Is this how he requests guests? I thought he was going to ''deal'' with me."


    She spun around, dropped back into the chair, and crossed her legs with a cold smirk.


    "It''s easy to invite me, but getting rid


    of me is a different story. Tell


    Shanley toe see me himself. Otherwise... Coralie''s eyes shed.


    ''Just Wait until I see my sister. I''m going to tell her exactly what happened here!"


    Flint was speechless.