Gregory had actually been nning to tell Soren about the car ident for some time now.


    He''d only kept quiet because Liam had threatened him, and Gregory had been wavering ever since. It wasn''t just about his own future-Liam had a point: Soren didn''t care for Evangeline. Even if he found out, it would only add to his burdens, not solve anything.


    As Soren''s assistant, Gregory''s job was to ease Mr. Fawkes''s troubles, not create more. He''d convinced himself that a well-intentioned lie was better for everyone.


    But the day he saw Evangeline, alone and silent, clutching her paperwork at the courthouse, waiting to finalize the divorce, he''d started to have second thoughts. Her solitary figure haunted him. If he stayed silent, Soren might never know how much Evangeline had suffered for his sake. The divorce was inevitable now, but some things, at least, deserved to be brought to light.


    He''d meant to tell Soren today, but the birthday g preparations had kept Soren busy from dawn till dusk, and Gregory hadn''t been able to find a quiet moment. Now, as Soren finally brought up the topic himself, Gregory didn''t hold back.


    "About Miss Yates''s ident-the other driver involved was Miss Whitmore. She lost her baby that night... it was because of the crash."


    Upstairs at the hospital, the mood was rowdier. Liam had juste back from the olddy''s birthday banquet, only to be stuck working the night shift again. Bored out of his mind, he''d called in a few friends.


    After the party, chatter had spread: the reason the old woman gave Evangeline shares in the familypany was to force Soren and Evangeline back together. In no time, a betting pool had started-would Soren remarry Evangeline for the money, or resist the temptation and stick with Poppy?


    Now, in the hospital''s break room, another round of bets was flying. Would Soren try to win Evangeline back, or just pressure her into handing over the shares?


    "No way he chases after her again," snorted one guy. "He finally got rid of her. To Soren, Evangeline''s like a well-trained dog-why pamper her when a little discipline keeps her in line?"


    "Exactly," said another. "We all know how obedient she is. She''ll probably hand over the shares before Soren even asks."


    "Don''t be so sure," a third chimed in. "That''s half the Fawkes fortune. You think she''ll just give it up?"


    "She always acted like she loved Soren more than money," someone scoffed. "Maybe that was just because she thought the payout wasn''t big enough."


    "If she had any sense, she''d return the shares," said another. "It''s one thing to take them—another to keep them safe."


    "The Fawkes family isn''t short on ways to get those shares back," someone muttered. "Once the olddy''s gone, Evangeline will be lucky to keep anything. She might even get payback."


    Their voices ovepped in a chorus of spection-until the office door suddenly flew open with a thunderous bang.


    Everyone froze. Liam jumped, nearly tumbling out of his chair.


    "What the " He bit off the curse as soon as he saw who stood in the doorway.


    Soren.


    He stopped smiling, the words dying in his throat. Soren stood in the hall, silhouetted by the harsh light, his features carved from stone, eyes cold and lethal.


    A chill ran down Liam''s spine. He''d never seen Soren like this before-like a man fresh from murder.


    "Hey, Soren!" Liam forced augh, taking a step forward.


    He didn''t get far. Soren strode into the room, lifted his foot, and drove it straight into Liam''s chest.


    The blow was brutal. Liam doubled over, feet leaving the ground as he crashed into a desk behind him. The desk copsed with a deafening tter, papers and mugs scattering across the floor.


    The others nched, wide-eyed with terror.


    "Get out," Soren snapped, not even ncing their way.


    The message was clear-he was only here for Liam. The others scrambled to their feet, mumbling excuses as they fled the room.


    Liam groaned, clutching his chest. He hadn''t expected Soren to show up-not tonight, not like this. He had no idea how long Soren had been listening.


    Desperate to exin, he stammered, "Soren, we were just messing around, you know? Just blowing off steam. If you don''t like it, I''ll—"


    Soren cut him off, voice like ice. "A month ago. Who was the pregnant woman the hospital kicked out?"