Reese saw what was happening but didn''t ask about it. She already knew it had to be Karter texting, probably with updates from the Ratcliff Global board meeting. Still, she chose to trust Matthew. She believed he could handle whatever came up.


    They took their time with dinner, almost an hour, both of them eating until they werepletely satisfied. When Matthew finished paying, he took Reese''s hand and led her out of the sushi ce, his voice steady again. “Had enough? Now we go see Joseph at Ratcliff Global."


    Reese nodded, her rxed mood shifting to one of focus and resolve. "I''m ready."


    They got back in the car. This time, Matthew started the engine without a second thought and sped off toward the Ratcliff Global headquarters.


    Meanwhile, over at Vista Tech, Hank sat in his office, staring at a stack of reports, his brow furrowed in frustration. Just a few minutes earlier, he''d gotten a call from an unknown number. The guy on the other end said he was calling on behalf of Ratcliff Global, and his voice was all arrogance and attitude.


    "Mr. Meyer, Mr. Ratcliff asked me to pass along a message," the caller said, barely hiding the mockery in his tone. "Vista Tech is tangled up with a wanted criminal now, your reputation''s ruined, and you still think you can win the de project subcontract? Completely delusional."


    He kept going. "If you know what''s good for you, you''ll pull out of the project on your own and tie yourpany to Ratcliff Global. Maybe then Mr. Ratcliff will take pity on you and help Vista Tech through this mess. Otherwise, you''re on your own."


    the


    Before Hank could even process threat, the PR department sent word that things were getting worse. All over the inte, rumors were popping up about Vista Tech


    .n


    running out of money and going bankrupt. Someone had even faked financial statements and posted them everywhere. The wholepany was on edge. People were whispering in the halls, and a few key employees had already turned in their resignations.


    Hank was at his wit''s end. He knew, without a doubt, that Joseph was behind all of


    it. Joseph wanted to force Vista Tech out of the de project and send Reese a clear warning.


    He stared at his phone for a long moment, then finally called Reese.


    Right then, Reese was in the passenger seat of Matthew''s car, watching the city blur past her window. Her phone lit up with Hank''s name. She felt a pulse of worry but answered with a steady voice. "Hey, Hank.”


    “Reese, it''s bad," he blurted,


    sounding panicked and desperate.


    "Joseph sent someone to threaten me. They want us out of the


    de


    project Now there are rumors everywhere about us going under. The office feels like it''s falling apart, and people are already quitting. You have to do something."


    Reese''s expression turned cold, her eyes sharp. Joseph was fast. She hadn''t even


    made her move yet, and he was already bringing the fight to them.


    gan track.


    "I get it," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "Keep everyone calm. Tell the team the rumors are fake Vista Tech isn''t going bankrupt, and the de project is still Have the PR department release a statement right away to clear things up. Get them to collect every bit of evidence about who''s spreading the lies. We''re taking this legal."


    "I''m on my way to Ratcliff Global right now. As soon as I finish there, I''lle straight to the office."