She''d been so sure Reese would push for a divorce. Then she could set Sebastian up with someone better, someone from a good family who could actually help the Ratcliffs.


    But nothing had gone how she nned. Instead, Sebastian had practically begged the old man to talk to Reese for him, and even more shocking, Reese actually agreed to think it over.


    Now things were beyond awkward between her and Reese, and Sebastian was obviously all in for Reese. If this marriage didn''t fall apart, she''d be practically at Reese''s mercy.


    No way. She had to find a way to get Sebastian and Reese divorced, no matter what it took.


    Meanwhile, Reese and Matthew pulled up at ckOak. Matthew went to settle Annie, and Reese headed straight upstairs.


    The second she walked into the development team''s office, she could tell something was off. People were clustered in little groups, sneaking nces at her, their whispers buzzing nonstop.


    "Did you see the forum? de''s core data got leaked!"


    "I saw! It was posted anonymously, but the IP address came from Reese''s officeputer!"


    "You''re kidding. She''s one of the leads. Why would she leak anything?"


    "Who knows? Didn''t the security bureau investigate her before?"


    Reese frowned, not expecting L to move so fast. She and Matthew hadn''t even secured proof of L''s connection to Leslie, and L had already gone and leaked the data.


    Reese turned, ready to find Matthew and figure out what to do next, but L blocked her way.


    "Wow, Reese, you actually showed up at ckOak. If I were you, I''d be halfway out of town already, before the security bureau came for me again."


    L looked her up and down, looking way too pleased with herself. "I just heard n say the bureau''s on their way here right now.


    "You got luckyst time and cleared your name, but this time the evidence is airtight. Let''s see you get out of this one."


    This time b hadn''t bothered faking an P address. She''d


    tampered with the security logs and


    made sure to leak the data from


    Reese''s own office when no or


    was around.


    The evidence was stacked. There was no way Reese could talk her way out of this.


    L felt a surge of satisfaction. The person backing her had promised that if she pulled this off, she could move abroad, or, if she wanted to stay in the country, they''d get her a spot at DeepQuanta.


    She nced around, seeing everyone nodding and shooting Reese looks full of me, and felt more confident than ever.


    Reese stood in the middle of it all, her face calm. "L, you know exactly who''s behind this. Don''t pretend you don''t."


    "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    L''s heart skipped a beat, panic shing in her eyes, but she held her ground. "Reese, are you trying to pin this on me? I don''t even have ess to that data!


    "Everyone knows you started here as an assistant. You always stayedte after everyone else left. Weren''t you just waiting for a chance to steal something?"


    "Yeah, I saw Reese working alone plenty of times after hours," another jealous developer chimed in, sounding a little too eager.


    "Exactly. L''s not even on the core team. How would she get her hands on that data?"


    "Reese, stop trying to frame someone innocent."


    "L, don''t worry. We''ll all back you up. We know you didn''t do this."


    Reese gave a coldugh, about to say something, when a group of men in ck suits walked in, shing their badges.


    "We''re with the National Security Bureau. We''re here to investigate the recent data breach. Please cooperate."


    L''s eyes lit up. She pointed


    straight at Reese, her voice shrill et


    with excitement. "Officers, that''s her Reese! She''s the one who


    leaked the data. Arrest her!