Nathaniel nced up at her, a sly smile curling at his lips, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Why are you in such a hurry? The real show''s just getting started."


    He set the folder down on the coffee table, sliding it across to Sofia. The sound of paper skimming the wood was almost loud in the quiet room.


    "That''s everything on Dous. He''s Bailey''s right-hand man, and he''s the key to unlocking their biggest secrets. I''ve got leverage over him, so he has no choice but to y along. Still, I need you to run interference.


    "Your job is simple. Pretend you''ve juste back to the country looking for help. Get close to Dous and find out exactly where he keeps the confidential files. That''s all I need from you.


    "And don''t let Bailey catch on. You''re the Meyer family''s second daughter, remember? That''s your perfect cover."


    Sofia picked up the folder, flipping through the pages quickly. A greedy, ruthless glint shed in her eyes.


    "So if I do this, Mr. Phillips, you''ll help me get back everything the Meyer family owes me? You''ll make sure Reese''s reputation is ruined, right?"


    "Of course." Nathaniel''s voice was calm, absolutely certain. "I keep my promises. You get me those secrets, I''ll get you your revenge. We both get what we want."


    He paused, his gaze sharpening. "But don''t try to outsmart me."


    Sofia''s expression tightened and she nodded right away. "I understand. I''ll do exactly what you ask. I won''t mess this up."


    She knew she was out of options now. Her only shot at revenge was to stick close to Nathaniel, no matter what.


    Reese, Sebastian, Matthew... anyone who had ever hurt her, she''d make sure they paid for it.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in Sebastian''s private apartment, the city lights glittered through the huge windows. Sebastian was at his desk, a thick folder on Vivian spread open in front of him.


    It had everything-her family history, her job records, even her parents'' medical files and her brother''s university overseas.


    He ran his finger over one line, a cold, twisted smile appearing. His eyes were icy,pletely unfeeling.


    Vivian''s brother was still studying abroad, and the cost was sky-high. Her parents were sick always needing expensive medicine Vivian was the only one holding her family together. That was her weak spot, and he was going to use it.


    "Come here," Sebastian said, his voice t and cold, like a gust of winter air.


    A bodyguard dressed in ck stepped in right away, head lowered. "Mr. Ratcliff."


    "Get in touch with Vivian," Sebastian said, watching him closely. "Tell her that if she helps me, I''ll pay every cent of her brother''s tuition and living expenses. I''ll make sure her parents get the best doctors and treatment."


    He waited a beat, his tone turning sharper. "But if she refuses, her brother will be shipped home. No


    more school. And tell the hospital to


    stop any extra treatments for her


    parents, Make her wat


    Make her watch her family watch me fami


    suffer."


    "Yes, Mr. Ratcliff." The bodyguard bowed and left, not wasting a second.


    Sebastian got up and walked to the window, staring down at the bustling city below. His eyes were dark with obsession, a dangerous energy surrounding him.


    Reese, you''re mine. You''re not going anywhere.


    That bastard Matthew doesn''t deserve you. Only I can give you the life you want. Only I can protect you.


    If you still want to choose him over me, then don''t me me for what happens next. I''ll tear apart everything you care about until you have no choice but toe back to me.