Bailey had always gone above and beyond for her. He hired private tutors when she needed them, and once he realized she had a real gift, he sent her overseas to


    study, determined to give her every chance to shine. She never wanted for anything. Whatever Hank had, she did too, and sometimes, she had things even Hank didn''t get. Bailey gave her everything he could, except for shares in the Meyer familypany. That was the only thing he held back.


    And now, just like that, the man who had always protected and spoiled her he was gone.


    Sofia dropped to the floor, pulling her knees close. Her shoulders shook so hard she could barely breathe. Tears kept falling, hitting the floor and spreading into dark, blurry puddles.


    Grace was still in custody, waiting for her trial. Bailey was dead. Hank med her for what Grace had done to Marie and hadn''t spoken to her in ages. Just like that, Sofia realized she waspletely alone, with nobody left to lean on.


    Her sobs were muffled, but the pain in them was sharp, almost shattering. She cried for a long time, until the sobs faded into quiet sniffles and the room finally felt silent.


    Nathaniel''s voice broke the hush. It was calm and t. “Are you done crying?"


    She sniffed and wiped her face with the back of her hand. Her nose was stuffy, her voice thick and hopeless.


    "What''s the point? What future do I even have?”


    She didn''t know why Bailey had ended up in police custody, but for the police to make such a big deal out of it, for it to end with someone dying, it had to be serious. If everything came out, the Meyer Group would crash, maybe even go under for good.


    Nathaniel had reached the bottom floor, listening at the exit before opening the door just enough to peek through. He spotted an old apartment building nearby and hurried over, grabbing a ck jacket from a clothesline on someone''s balcony. It was about his size, good enough.


    “Bailey''s gone. Hank can''t handle the Meyer family on his own." Nathaniel''s voice was pragmatic. “I checked. Their main focus now is artificial intelligence. You studied abroad for years for this. If you go back and help Hank keep things steady, he''ll be grateful, maybe even desperate for your help. The Meyer family will be yours. It''s just a matter of time."


    Sofia let out a bitterugh. "Hank? He''d never trust me."


    Ever since Hank found out about Grace and Marie, he hadn''t called her once. Not when Grace was arrested, not when Bailey died. It was like he''d forgotten she existed.


    "Instead of getting dragged into that mess, I might as well pack up and leave the country,” she muttered, half to herself. “At least that way I''d befortable. I don''t need all this."


    She started weighing her options. Bailey had bought her plenty over the years—a trust fund, an apartment overseas, enough to live on. Sure, it wasn''t the same as the easy money and freedom she''d had with the Meyer family, but staying now meant risking everything, losing even the little she had left. Better to walk away while she still could.


    Nathaniel''s voice snapped, "That''s stupid."


    He paused, halfway through putting on the jacket, clearly frustrated.


    "Whatever happened between your mother and me, it has nothing to do with you. If you run now, everyone''s going to think you''re guilty."


    He remembered why he''d gotten involved in all this in the first ce. Sofia had been born with a beart condition. He''d done things he wasn''t proud of, all so she could have a chance at a healthy life.


    Besides, now that the police were digging into everything, all the shady things he''d had Grace do for the


    ell


    Meyer Group would be exposed soonenorter. When that happened, Sofia would lose whatever Bailey left her. If he got arrested, his people wouldn''t help her, not for a second. She''d be on her own.


    Nathaniel couldn''t say all this out loud. So he just said, "If the Meyer Group goes under, do you really think you''ll get to keep any of what Bailey left you? You might end up in debt."


    He took a breath and softened his tone, trying to reason with her. "Why not take a chance? Help Hank get through this. You''re smart, Sofia. You shouldn''t just give up."


    He gave her a look, almost encouraging. "Let me help you. I can help you get the Meyer Group back on its feet. You could be the one in charge, the real leader."


    Sofia rolled her eyes. "Mr. Phillips, you can barely keep yourself out of trouble. How exactly are you supposed to help me?"


    "I''ve got my ways.” Nathaniel straightened his borrowed jacket, pulled on a mask, and stepped out of the building.


    "Set up a car for me. I need to get to Brookfield."


    He''d rented a warehouse at Pier 3 in Brookfield twenty years ago under the name Drew. It was where he''d stashed gold bars and all the leverage he''d collected on the fich and powerful—the ones who''d gotten organs through him all those, years ago with all that, he could start over.


    “Sofia, trust me. I won''t let the Meyer Group copse. I might even make it stronger.”


    Sofia hesitated. She didn''t know if he was telling the truth, but a guy like Nathaniel


    was always holding something back.


    Should she trust him and try to hang on to herfortable life, or just wait for everything to fall apart and the court to seize what little she had left?


    After a long silence, she made up her mind. “Fine. I''ll help you. But if you lie to me, I swear I''ll make you pay for it, no matter what."


    Nathaniel smiled, just a little. "Don''t worry. We''re in this together. I won''t let you


    down. Once you sort out the car, text me the te number. I''ll be waiting for you behind the hospital."