Reese''s hand shook a little as she clung to her coffee mug, eyes flicking over the files on her desk.


    n didn''t say a word. He just waited quietly beside her.


    It was at least fifteen minutes before Reese finally rubbed at her tired brow.


    She knew n was giving her time because he respected her, but she didn''t want her personal mess to mess up the team''s ns.


    "From what I can see, Ratcliff Global''s ''The Vault'' is our best shot at making the system work. I''m just on the tech side. I don''t have to deal with him much, so it''s fine," she said.


    n nodded, clearly happy with her answer. He nced at the dark circles under


    her eyes.


    "The project can wait. Go get some rest," he told her gently.


    Reese nodded, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, but her energy was already gone. She dragged herself out of theb, legs feeling heavy as lead. When she woke up again, the sky outside was streaked orange and gold.


    She reached for her phone and noticed a bunch of missed calls from Dylon. Her heart skipped. Had something happened?


    Mr. Ratcliff''s threats shed through her mind, along with Sebastian acquiring that old property she had. She called Dylon back in a hurry.


    "Uncle, sorry I missed your calls. Is everything okay at home?"


    But Dylon just sounded cheerful as ever. "There she is! Finally answered. Are youing home for dinner? Your aunt made your favorite soup."


    Reese felt her whole body rx. "I''lle now."


    She pushed open the door. "Uncle Dylon, Aunt Rosie, I''m home!"


    Zach was sprawled on the couch, scrolling through his phone. Reese paused mid- step to change her shoes.


    From the kitchen, she heard pots nking. Rosie was busy at the stove, apron tied tight, while Tara sprinkled salt into the soup.


    Tara grinned when she saw her. "Reese, you''re back! Sit down. Dinner''s almost ready."


    "Where''s Uncle?" Reese asked. "Need a hand with anything?"


    "He went out to get your favorite roast duck," Rosie said, wiping her hands on her apron and gently nudging Reese out of the kitchen. "Just rx, we''ve got it covered."


    Reese sank into an armchair in the living room and pulled out her phone to answer a few work messages.


    Zach watched her for a moment before speaking up, voice low. "I didn''t think the conference rumors would spread. If you want, I can clear things up."


    Reese didn''t even look at him. She knew exactly what rumors he meant-the ones about her sleeping her way up. From the guy who started them, there was nothing she wanted to hear.


    The light from her phone made her face look even colder.


    Zach kept staring, openly curious, but Reese just kept typing, pretending not to notice.


    The front door opened with a click and Dylon walked in, carrying a paper bag. He nced at Zach, then at Reese, his brow tightening just a bit.


    But then he smiled wide at Reese. "Hey, you''re here! I just picked up the roast duck. It''s still hot."


    Rosie came out of the kitchen with a steaming bowl. "Perfect timing. Go wash up, everyone. Dinner''s ready."


    The table was loaded with all of Reese''s favorites-pork ribs, meatloaf, Shepherd''s Pie, and the roast duck, golden and glossy.


    Reese looked around, a little confused. "What''s going on? Is today some kind of special asion?"


    Rosie''s hand stopped over a dish.


    Tara dropped a rib in Reese''s bowl. "You haven''t been home in forever. We just wanted to make you something you like. Eat up."


    Reese shot Tara a puzzled look, but she understood. She smiled. "Guess I''d better take advantage of it, then."


    After dinner, Dylon picked at his teeth and pulled a stack of papers from his briefcase. "Reese,e with me to the study for a sec. Got some documents for you to sign."


    Reese remembered the Eastside project and followed him in.


    "Sorry. I''ve been swamped and haven''t talked to Sebastian yet about Eastside,” she said.


    "But..." She rummaged in her bag for her wallet, ready to hand over the money she''d scraped together. There was Millie''s bonus, n''smission, even an advance on her sry. It had taken a lot to pull that cash together.


    "No need," Dylon said, waving her off. He pulled out some documents. "I know you''re busy. I already found an investor for Eastside. You don''t have to worry about it.


    "Just look at these transfer agreements."


    "Transfer agreements?" Reese echoed, picking them up to read.


    Sure enough, they were share transfers. Dylon and Rosie were signing over their sixty percent stake in Ramos Corporation to her. With the shares Reese already had, she now owned fifty-seven percent of thepany.


    "Why are you giving this to me?" Reese asked, confused. She was already the legal rep and had fifteen percent. She always thought the rest would go to Tara.


    Dylon gave a crooked smile. "I know it hasn''t been easy for you. The Ramos family''s done well enough thanks to your connection. That''s plenty for your aunt and me to retire on."


    "Your sister''s expecting, and things with Zach are set. She''s got someone to rely on now. I just want to make sure you''re good too."