By early evening, Patrick''s bodyguards had safely delivered Vivian to a five-star hotel close to the hospital. The suite was booked ahead of time, and security was airtight.


    As soon as she stepped inside, Vivian called Reese. Her voice trembled, caught between relief after a near-miss and an unspoken vulnerability.


    "Reese, I''m okay. Patrick''s people got here just in time. Honestly, I was terrified."


    "I''m just d you''re safe." Reese''s voice was gentle, warm and reassuring, like sunlight after a storm. “Did those men hurt you at all?"


    "No, they didn''t get the chance. They were just following me, but Patrick''s team showed up before anything could happen," Vivian said. She took a shaky breath, starting to calm down. "But I think I know why they were after me. Something came to mind."


    Reese straightened up, her curiosity piqued. "What is it? Take your time."


    "My dad was going through some old Meyer Group files a while back and identally found one of Dous'' private journals," Vivian said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "He read about a deal the Meyer family made with some overseaspany twenty years ago. There was also something about a ''core document'' hidden in a secret room at the old Meyer house. He doesn''t remember exactly where, but he saw the words ''study, bookshelf, hiddenpartment.”” Reese''s breath caught. "Are you sure? Did the notebook say anything else? Like apany name or someone involved?"


    "My dad said there was a name. He thinks it was Nathaniel."


    Nathaniel.


    Again, Nathaniel.


    Reese and Matthew exchanged nces, both of them instantly realizing what this meant. Everything started to fit together.


    Now it all made sense. Nathaniel


    was after that core file, the one


    hidden in the secret room at the old Meyer estate. That file must hold proof of the fflegal partnership from twenty years ago, the kind of evidence Nathaniel and Bailey would do anything to keep buried.


    Reese gripped her phone a little tighter, trying to contain her excitement. "Vivian, you''re sure you remember those words? ''Study, bookshelf, hiddenpartment"?"


    "Absolutely." Vivian sounded certain. "After I realized I was being followed, I kept thinking about it. I just called my dad to double-check. He confirmed it."


    "There''s something else, Reese." Vivian paused, then her voice grew steadier. "Sebastian''s people reached out to me. They threatened my family and tried to get me to spy on you and Mr. Wiles, and to stealpany secrets."


    Reese felt her heart drop. Annoyance flickered in her eyes.


    They''d already agreed to settle things in court, to go through with a mediated divorce. And here Sebastian was, pulling this behind her back. Was he really pushing her to burn everyst bridge between them?


    him no," Vivian said


    "But I told him


    quickly, a hint of pride in her voice. "Reese, you have always been so good to us. Even if it costs me, I''d never betray you. I secretly recorded the whole thing. Thave proof of everything he said.


    "These recordings could be evidence against Sebastian. Maybe they''ll help you."


    Reese felt a rush of gratitude. "Thank you, Vivian."


    "Don''t worry about your family. I''ll make sure they''re protected. From now on, I''ll cover your brother''s tuition and your parents'' medical expenses. You won''t have to worry about anything."


    "Reese, that''s too much..." Vivian began, but Reese cut her off.


    "This isn''t up for debate. It''s a decision." Reese''s voice was steady and kind. "Right now, your only job is to stay put at the hotel and look after yourself. Don''t go anywhere."


    "If you need anything, call me anytime. Patrick''s guys are right outside, so you''repletely safe."