Nathaniel was on the run now, wanted by the police andpletely out of options. He could barely protect himself, let alone threaten Bailey anymore.


    If Reese knew what''s best for her, withdrew her report against Grace and stopped digging into her mother''s ident, then Bailey would have nothing to worry about.


    Once Vista Technded the civilian contract for the de system, he''d still be sitting at the top as chairman of Meyer Group. He could keep living the good life, surrounded by respect and luxury, just as he always had.


    That thought brought a real smile to Bailey''s face, something he hadn''t felt in a long time.


    He flicked his cigarette into the ashtray, stood up, and walked over to the bar. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey, poured himself a full ss, and took a long drink. The warm burn slid down his throat, and he let out a satisfied sigh.


    It had been years since he felt this rxed.


    All he needed now was for Reese to drop the case.


    As he thought about it, a frown creased his brow.


    Yesterday, he''d told Dous to spread everything about Dylon online. The inte had exploded, people couldn''t stop talking about it. And this morning, he got word that the police had already shown up at Ramos Corporation.


    Reese should have gotten the message by now. She knew he had more dirt on Dylon, so she should havee running, ready to negotiate, ready to back off and drop the charges.


    Dylon was her uncle and had run Ramos Corporation for years. His mistakes were thepany''s mistakes. Reese always put thepany first, so protecting Ramos Corporation should have been her top priority.


    But as the day slipped into night, there was still nothing from her. No calls, no messages, not even a hint that she cared. It was like she wasn''t worried at all.


    A knot of anxiety twisted in Bailey''s stomach.


    Reese always so headstrong and impossible to sway. Once she made up her mind, she wouldn''t let go, no matter what.


    What if she refused to drop the case? What if she was determined to drag Grace down, even if it meant destroying everything in the process?


    Bailey let out a low, annoyedugh.


    He had to admit, out of all his kids, Reese was the one most like him. She was sharp, calcting, and always knew how to y the game.


    But she was still too young, too set in her ways. She didn''t understand that being too stubborn would only break her in the end.


    Did she really think he was out of moves?


    Bailey took another drink, his fingers drumming on the bar, thinking. If Reese wanted to y hardball, he''d just have to show her how it was done. .


    He started plotting his next move, but before he could get far, the butler came rushing in, looking pale and frantic.


    "Sir, something''s wrong!" The


    butler''s voice trembled. "There are police outside. They''ve surrounded. the vi. They said they want to take, you to the station for questioning."


    The ss slipped from Bailey''s hand, crashing to the floor. Whiskey sshed over


    his clothes as shards of ss scattered everywhere.


    He didn''t care about the mess. All the color drained from his face. His and


    eyes went wide with shear


    "The police?" he managed to gasp. "Why would they be here?"