"Leslie told me you found out the baby''s hers. She said you''re only doing all this to get back at her," Sebastian said, his voice tight with frustration.


    "Reese, are you out of your mind? You actually forged evidence just to drag Leslie down? Do you even realize that''s illegal?"


    He paused, his tone a shade softer. "It''s not toote to stop. Go to the NSB, tell them you messed up, admit you faked the evidence. Turn yourself in. I''ll back you up, I promise. I''ll figure out a way to get you out of this."


    "Oh, like you did for Leslie?" Reese let out a bitterugh that quickly dissolved into tears she couldn''t hold back. "Sebastian, is that really what you think of me? That I''d do anything for revenge?"


    She swiped at her tears, her eyes suddenly steely. "I didn''t set Leslie up. And I''m not taking anything back or apologizing. Her whole ''aplice'' story is a joke. She''s just trying to drag me down with her and you can''t even see it!"


    "That''s impossible," Sebastian shot back, frowning. "Sure, Leslie can be a little scheming, but when ites to national matters, she''d never go that far."


    "Oh, so she wouldn''t, but I would?" Reese nced at the security camera in the corner, then fixed her re on him. "Remember, Sebastian, you pushed for the Big X and ckOak deal. And I had no idea you vouched for Leslie at the NSB until today. Want to deny that?"


    "Yeah, I did it, but only because Leslie saved my life. I—"


    "I''m really sick of hearing that excuse," Reese cut him off. "You get that the only reason I''m even still here is because Leslie told them you order? That


    Vouched for her on my.


    was behind it all? If you hadn''t done


    that, I''d be out by now, free and


    clear. You wouldn''t even have a


    reason toe in here and lecture


    me."


    "That''s not true." Sebastian''s frown true." deepened. That''s not what Leslie had said to him. Even if she could be conniving, she wouldn''t lie about something that could clear her name. "Reese, just stop. Sooner ofter, NSB''s going to realize your evidence is fake. If you confess now, I can still help you."


    "You think I need your help?" Reese had had enough. She leaned back in the interrogation chair, lifted her chin, and stared him down, her eyes cold. "Just wait.


    It won''t be long before you figure out who''s really lying."


    Once Matthew showed up with the surrogacy proof and that recording, Sebastian would be lucky to save himself, let alone her. And he thought he was the one in control?


    "Wait for who?" Sebastian looked at


    her, irritation ring at her stubborn silence. "You don''t actually think Matthew can get you out of you? Reese, stop being so stubborn. Just admit you were wrong, and I''ll take you home. Isn''t that better?"


    Matthew? Seriously? He was just some tech guy who spent a few years in the army. He was just a civilian now-how could he possibly help?


    Reese had nothing left to say. She closed her eyes, her longshes casting soft shadows on her cheeks, shutting Sebastian and all his words out. She looked like she wouldn''t listen to him no matter what he said.


    "You''re impossible!" Sebastian pointed at her, his finger trembling with anger, but her icy silence just made it all bounce back on him. Finally, he dropped his hand and kicked the table hard. The dull thud echoed through the empty interrogation


    room.


    Meanwhile, in the observation room right next door...