Bailey seethed, but with Reese constantly getting in the way, their only shot atnding the de system was to work with Ratcliff Global.


    Usually, Bailey would have hung up without a second thought, but they''d already sunk so much into securing this deal. If they couldn''t lock down the civilian rights to de, the Meyer family would be staring down bankruptcy.


    He pressed his lips together and forced himself to say, "For the east side project with Ratcliff Global, we are willing to offer an extra five percent."


    Five percent wasn''t a small number. It hurt to even say it out loud.


    Joseph''s eyes lit up with satisfaction. Bailey was clearly desperate.


    "You''re generous, Mr. Meyer," Joseph replied, his tone cool. "But Ratcliff Global doesn''t really have a leader right now. It''s not just up to me."


    He paused. “Still, if you''re true to your word, I can try to bring it up at the next meeting."


    That was all Bailey needed to hear. Relief washed through him. Joseph was the obvious sessor for Ratcliff Global. If he was willing to speak up, there was hope.


    "Thank you, Joseph. Really."


    After he hung up, a smile grew on Joseph''s face. "Let the legal team know. I want a new contract ready for Bailey to sign, fast."


    "Yes, Mr. Ratcliff." The assistant nodded and left the office.


    Now alone, Joseph walked over to the window, staring down at the city lights. Matthew was done for, Bailey had given up profits for a project he''d never get, and that was bound to spark drama between Bailey, Reese, and Sebastian.


    He thought back to thest time he''d seen Reese at the family home, running around, handling everything. Joseph narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.


    ***


    In the chairman''s office at Meyer Group, Bailey set down the phone, a hard look in his eyes. Joseph was proving even tougher to deal with than Sebastian, Still, they could just get a piece of de, the Meyer family might survive this. And one day, Bailey promised himself, he''d get back every penny of profit he''d lost today.


    "Dad, something happened!"


    The door mmed open. Hank rushed in, looking rattled.


    Bailey''s heart dropped. "Weren''t you going to the police station to bail out Grace? Why are you here alone?"


    Other than the de deal, Grace''s case was the only thing eating away at himtely.


    "They closed Grace''s case. The police won''t allow bail."


    Bailey stared, shocked. "Closed the case? Wasn''t all that evidence faked by Reese?"


    "No." Hank shook his head, looking sick as he remembered what the detective had told him.


    "Reese didn''t fake a thing. I saw the evidence and the statement myself."


    Hank''s


    did voice wavered. "Grace really


    àlex to do it. Dad, we just


    med Reese for everything, all these years..."


    The memory of Reese yelling at him, calling him out for siding with the wrong person, stung worse than ever. Hank felt nothing but regret. He couldn''t believe they let Reese suffer so much, forced her togrow up with the Ramos family, left her to deal with all that pain alone.


    She hadn''t been lying. If Grace really nned it, she could have easily set up the


    dash cam recording ahead of time.