Sebastian drew in a slow breath, locking eyes with Leslie for a moment before forcing himself to settle down.


    "While I worked with Big X, we never got into anything technical. I definitely didn''t leak any state secrets. You can check all the records. It''s easy to prove."


    It was only a matter of time before the truth came out.


    He walked over and sat in the interrogation chair, meeting the interrogator''s gaze.


    "Ask whatever you need. I''ll answer everything I can."


    Right now, all he wanted was to get out of this ce as fast as possible and limit the damage to Ratcliff Global.


    ...


    By evening, the city was glowing. Reese stood outside Maple Street Diner, tugging her coat tighter around her shoulders.


    "Ms. Meyer."


    George''s car rolled up next to her. He got out, handed his keys to the valet, and came over. "Have you been waiting long?"


    "Not at all. I just got here," Reese replied, shaking her head. "Sorry to pull you out after work. It was urgent."


    She hadn''t expected Bailey to call her the same afternoon she''d signed the share transfer agreement, insisting shee by that evening with herwyer to wrap up the details.


    They must really be panicking.


    She gave a slight smile and walked in with George, heading for the private booth Bailey had reserved.


    Bailey let out a frustrated noise when they walked in. "So you''re keeping us waiting now? Getting a bit full of yourself, aren''t you? Do you even want the shares?"


    Reese nced at her watch, a teasing light in her eyes. "It''s only been an hour since you let me know. If that''s too long, I can always go."


    Bailey was at a loss for words. He looked like he wanted to argue, but Hank quietly tugged on his sleeve.


    Knowing this was the wrong time for a fight, Bailey just shot Reese a re, then turned to the man beside him.


    "This is Tyler, Meyer Group''s chief legal advisor. He came in from Brookfield today to handle the share paperwork."


    "Miss Meyer." Tyler nodded politely.


    The formality threw Reese for a second. She looked up at him. He was about forty, handsome in a quiet, refined way.


    Noticing her nce, Tyler adjusted his sses and smiled, pushing a file across the table to her.


    Share Transfer Application was printed on the cover. Bailey''s signature was already in the representative''s box. She looked to George, who nodded, and then signed her own name as the transferee.


    Tyler smiled again, split the documents into two sets, and handed one to Reese.


    "I''ll head back to Brookfield as soon as we''re done and file the paperwork tomorrow. We''ll also handle the tax deration for the transfer. The public notice should be up within three business days, and after that, the shares are officially yours.


    "Miss Meyer, this is your copy for your records. We''ll need your ID for verificationter."


    Reese took the file, looking up at Tyler. "So once the notice is posted, the shares are mine?"


    He nodded. "Yes."


    With that confirmation, Reese let out a real, rxed smile.


    Bailey watched her, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Now that the paperwork''s basically done, when can you go to Vista Tech and fix the tformpatibility issue?"


    Reese''s smile faded. She slipped the documents into her bag and looked up, her tone light. "Whenever I feel like it."


    "What''s that supposed to mean?" Bailey''s face darkened. "Reese, don''t push your luck."


    "The shares were my mother''s. They should have been mine all along." Reese''s voice cooled. "I don''t owe anyone the de partnership just because I''m finally getting back, what''s rightfully mine. And anyway, the shares aren''t officially in my name yet, are they?"


    She pointed at the second copy of the application on the table. "How do I know


    you won''t just screw me over again likest time after I solve your problem?"


    "Reese!"


    Bailey''s temple throbbed as he mmed his hand on the table and shot up. "Ramos Corporation is barely hanging on because of a few core projects. Aren''t you worried I''ll tell Sebastian about you and Matthew? If he finds out, Ramos Corporation is finished."


    "You haven''t told him already?" Reese shot him a cold look. After she''d left Vista


    Tech that afternoon, Patrick had already called her.