After she hung up, Reese lingered at the warehouse door, her thoughts all over the ce.


    She hadn''t missed the doubt in George''s voice. She knew that once she handed this evidence over to the police, Sebastian''s scandal would explode into the open for everyone to see.


    But honestly, Sebastian had crossed way too many lines. If she didn''t push back, Ratcliff Global and Sebastian would always act like she owed them.


    A sharp gust kicked up dust from the lot, stinging her skin with the cold. Reese hugged her coat tighter and looked up just in time to see Karter walk out with a group of uniformed officers.


    The officer in front held a folder and wore an awkward, apologetic smile-a total 180 from his earlier, all-business attitude.


    "Ms. Meyer, I''m really sorry about all this."


    He hurried over and handed her the folder. "We checked everything thoroughly. All


    the quality control reports for the warehouse''s materials areplete, and


    everything is up to safety standards.


    "We got a real-name report, so we had to investigate. I''m sorry for the inconvenience. I hope you understand."


    Reese took the folder, her eyes turning cold. "A real-name report?


    "Whoever this ''concerned citizen'' is, I wonder how they even managed to turn our steel supplies into a safety risk," she said, her voice t.


    The officers instantly froze, ncing at each other, their eyes flicking over to Karter.


    Karter''s face gave nothing away. The lead officer fidgeted, his smile tight and his tone suddenly vague.


    "We have to protect theinant''s identity, Ms. Meyer. And... well, the person who filed the report is someone we really can''t afford to upset. Please, don''t make it harder for us."


    "Can''t afford to upset?" Reese gave a soft, humorlessugh, but there was no warmth in her eyes.


    In Bridger Lake, there was only one person with that kind of pull, someone who''d go after Ramos Corporation this relentlessly. Of course it was Sebastian.


    She let it drop, closed the folder, and handed it back. "Since it''s all sorted dut, you can take off the seal Next time someone files a int,'' I hope you''ll check the facts first."


    "Absolutely. Of course," the officers said quickly. They signaled to their team to remove the tape, apologized a few more times, and then hurried off.


    l


    As their car turned the corner and disappeared, Karter walked over. "Ms. Meyer, you don''t have to worry. My boss already made some calls about all this. It won''t happen again."


    "Thank you," Reese said with a nod, knowing she''d just created another headache for Matthew.


    She needed to get stronger, and fast. She couldn''t keep letting people hold leverage over her. She had to make sure nothing like this happened again.


    She narrowed her eyes, thoughtful. "Mr. Shaw, there''s something I''d like you to do for me."


    "Your boss has a lot of connections. Can he help look into Mr. Ratcliff''s will, the one he made before he died?"


    Mr. Ratcliff had told her, right before he passed, that he was leaving her shares in Ratcliff Global.


    If she had those shares, she could get inside thepany, have a real voice on


    the board. This whole mess might never have happened.


    It had been a while since the old man died, but she hadn''t seen a trace of that will. Something was definitely off.


    "...Alright. I''ll ask him," Karter said, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.


    He''d only ever heard his boss


    mention, once in passing, that the Ratcliff family had hidden the will after the old man''s death. Nobody talked about it. The family was tight tipped But somehow. Ms. Meyer seemed to know Matthew might be able to find it.


    "Is there a problem?" Reese asked, picking up on his hesitation.