Matthew finally rxed when he saw her smile. He let go of her hand. The drive was smooth, the car weaving past all the usual traffic. In just over half an hour, they pulled up in front of the Vista Tech office tower. The building stood right in the middle of the old city, a familiarndmark in Bridger Lake''s business scene.


    They parked and walked into the lobby. The elevator took them up to Vista Tech''s floor, where the receptionist greeted them with a practiced smile.


    "Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?"


    "I''m here for Hank."


    She barely finished speaking before Hank stepped out of another elevator. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Reese and Matthew, shock all over his face.


    "Reese, what are you doing here?"


    Reese skipped the small talk. "I''m here about the de project and to sign the share transfer agreement."


    Hank looked stunned for a second, then hurried to show them in. "Let''s go to my office... It''s quieter there."


    Inside, Hank poured warm water into sses and set them down for Reese and Matthew.


    "Reese, you really don''t owe the Meyer family anything anymore. After everything that''s happened..."


    He trailed off, unable to meet her eyes. He clearly didn''t have it in him to ask her for help.


    Reese didn''t respond right away. She picked up her ss, took a slow sip, and finally spoke.


    "Because of the whole Bailey and Grace mess, Vista Tech''s reputation is in shambles. Thepany''s been dragged through the mud, and with Nathaniel now a wanted fugitive, there''s no way you''re getting the de partnership on your own."


    Hank''s face fell. He already knew all of this. He knew it better than anyone and it was exactly why he didn''t want Reese getting dragged in any further.


    "But I can help you," Reese said, changing the conversation.


    "I can get the de partnership through Ramos Corporation and then subcontract the work to Vista Tech."


    She and Matthew controlled the core tech behind de. Ramos Corporation was a major partner, which meant they could easily hand off the civilian side of the project to Vista Tech if they wanted.


    Hank just stared at her, totally floored. He''d always figured Reese was finished with the Meyer family. Maybe she even hated them now. He never thought she''d offer to help, not after everything.


    Before he could get a word in, Reese kept going."m not doing this for the Meyer family, and I''m definitely not doing it for you. I just don''t want Sebastian and Joseph to win. They want to see the Meyer''s crash and burn so they can swoop in for the leftovers. I''m not giving them that satisfaction."


    She paused, her tone turning serious. "But let''s be clear. I''m taking ny percent of the profits."


    A real smile finally broke through on Hank''s face. The Meyer family was hanging by a thread. Landing this project meant they might actually survive maybe even turn things around. At the very least, it would buy them time and restore some credibility.


    He got it. Reese was already going above and beyond. She didn''t owe them anything. If anything, they owed her.


    "Deal," Hank said, not hesitating.


    Reese nodded. “My assistant, Vivian, will reach out to iron out the details. We''ll get the contract drafted soon. You''ll need to provide all yourpany''s documentation."