Reese stood at the window, watching the endless stream of cars below, her heart pounding so hard it almost hurt. There was a tightness in her throat she couldn''t


    swallow away.


    So Alex really was in touch with Grace. And now he was here at Bridger Lake.


    "Keep an eye on him. When he settles in, let me know. I want to meet him," she said quietly.


    She wanted nothing more than to finally learn the truth about that car ident all those years ago, to expose everything Grace had done and make her pay. But she couldn''t risk blowing her cover now-not after everything she''d put into this.


    "I''ll handle it. I''ll update you when it''s set," came the reply.


    As soon as the call ended, Reese tried to steady herself with a deep breath, but her phone rang again before she could even exhale.


    It was Patrick, the guy Mr. Ratcliff had tasked with helping run Ramos Corporation.


    She pressed her fingers to her temples and answered. "Ms. Meyer, is this a good time for you?"


    "Yeah, go ahead," Reese replied, leaning against the cool window. She found herself absentmindedly scratching at the ss, leaving faint marks behind.


    "Word about the incident at this morning''s conference is everywhere. Everyone knows the baby didn''t make it.


    "Now the whole town thinks you caused Ms. Ramos'' miscarriage on purpose.


    "And Mr. Wiles from Iron Financial has gone nuclear. He''s cklisting Ramos Corporation.


    "All our partners sent termination letters at noon. Even the banks have frozen our credit. We won''tst another three days at this rate.


    "And Mr. Meyer is meeting with the shareholders, trying to buy up their shares.


    "They''re scared you''ll drag them down with you, even more scared Mr. Wiles will take it out on Ramos Corporation. They''ve banded together and want answers from you.


    "If you don''t give them something, they''ll sell all their shares to the Meyer family first thing tomorrow. If this goes on, I''m scared-"


    Ramos Corporation won''t survive.


    Reese felt a cold weight settle in her chest. She frowned, exhaustion washing over her.


    Those shareholders had been loyal to Dylon''s side for years. She''d always expected they''d turn on her eventually. She''d wanted to buy them out and get rid of them once and for all. Their mutiny now didn''t really surprise her.


    But Bailey moving now? That, she hadn''t seening.


    They were trying to corner her, to leave her with nowhere to run.


    "I get it," Reese said, her voice scratchy. "Anything else from the Meyer family?"


    "Mr. Hank Meyer wants to meet you," Patrick replied. "Should I set something up?”


    Hank wanted to see her? What for?


    Reese hesitated, then nodded to herself. "Alright. I''m at ckOak. I''ll be free tonight. Set it up.”


    She needed to know what Hank was nning.


    The moment it she hung up, Reese leaned against the wall, feeling like all her energy had drained out through her feet. Her phone slipped from her hand and hit the carpet. with a dull thud, but she couldn''t bring herself to pick it up.


    Thete autumn sunlight streamed through the window, warming her skin, but it did nothing to melt the chill inside her.


    Was she really supposed to just watch her mother''s legacy get snatched away by the Meyer family, handed over to Bailey and Grace?


    No way. She couldn''t let that happen. But she didn''t have the money to buy out the other shareholders.


    Outside her office, Matthew stood holding a stack of data reports, watching her through the ss. His eyes softened with concern.


    He lingered for a moment before turning and heading to the lounge, pulling out his phone.


    "Get in touch with all Ramos


    Corporation shareholders. If the met


    want to


    sell, I don''t care what the


    terms are buy up every share.


    they''re offering


    "And make sure nobody knows who''s buying. Tell them it''s just a third-party investment.


    "And one more thing-make things difficult for the Meyer family. Don''t let them get toofortable financially."


    He hung up and walked back to Reese''s door.


    Reese was still leaning against the wall, eyes closed, lost in thought. Matthew


    took a breath,posed himself, and knocked gently.


    "What''s on your mind?" he asked.


    Reese opened her eyes and managed a small smile when she saw him. "Nothing much. Just tired.


    Is the mess from the conference getting to you?


    Matthew didn''t call her out on pretending to be fine. He just smiled back and


    shook his head. "Nothing I can''t handle."