Chapter 61

Author’s POVThe container door remained open yet no one dared to move closer. In a moment, Ryan stepped forward. Almost immediately, the metallic scent hit first. It was faint, but present. The scent was not strong enough to overwhelm, but the expression on everyone’s face showed it did more than enough to unsettle.His eyes adjusted to the dim interior, and then he saw it. It was not cargo nor anything that belonged to a legitimate shipment.He could see crates, sealed and unmarked. One of them had already been forced open. Inside were stacks of tightly wrapped packages, each identical in size, carefully concealed beneath a layer of industrial lining that had been sliced through in haste.Philip exhaled quietly beside him. “That’s not ours.”Ryan didn’t respond. Instead, he reached forward, pulling the lining back further, and getting a sharp tingle on his hand. His expression hardened, not from surprise, but from confirmation.“They didn’t just want to disrupt our activities,” Phil

Last Updated : 2026-07-03

Chapter 62

Author’s POVRyan searched her face, studying every flicker of emotion that crossed it. He wanted to believe her. The strange part was that a part of him already did, and it wasn't because of her words. Anyone could say the right thing when circumstances demanded it.It was because Samantha rarely offered reassurance she didn't intend to keep."Then stop shutting me out," he said quietly.Samantha lowered her eyes for a brief moment before looking back at him. The firmness she had worn since walking into the house softened ever so slightly, revealing a hint of exhaustion she could no longer hide."I've been doing this alone for too long," she admitted. "Trust doesn't come naturally anymore."Ryan gave a faint nod. "Neither does silence."A corner of her lips lifted, though the smile never quite reached her eyes."I suppose we have that in common."For a moment, neither of them spoke.The tension between them had changed. It no longer carried the sharp edge of suspicion. Instead, it se

Last Updated : 2026-07-04

Chapter 63

Author's POVThe room remained dim despite the expensive chandelier hanging overhead. Its golden light barely reached the far corners, leaving sections of the room swallowed by darkness. The busy city was shut out beyond the windows by thick curtains.The older man stood beside the window with one hand clasped behind his back. He had not touched the wine poured for him as his attention rested on the city below. There was a soft knock on the door to the room."Come in."The subordinate entered immediately."The secretary has reported." The older man did not turn."And?""Mr. Leigh suspects nothing."A slow smile appeared on his face."I expected as much.""The dock operation failed. The Andersons discovered the shipment.""They were supposed to."The younger man frowned. "They were?" The older man finally turned."You still think the container was meant to remain hidden.""It wasn't?" The younger man asked, confused. "No.""Hidden evidence has no value." He walked casually toward the

Last Updated : 2026-07-05

Chapter 64

Samantha's POVRyan disappeared into his study without another word. I waited a moment before following him. The door was already open.He had spread several files across the large mahogany desk. There were shipping manifests, inspection reports, invoices and logistics summaries everywhere, covering nearly every inch of the polished surface. Another monitor displayed live market data, where Anderson Corporation's stock continued to fluctuate by the second.Ryan didn't acknowledge my presence immediately. Instead, he was reading through one of the manifests with complete concentration, making notes in the margins as though the world outside that room wasn't threatening to pull his company apart.I stood quietly for a few seconds, watching him work. For someone whose corporation had just become the center of a growing scandal, he was remarkably composed. He did not look like he was ignoring the crisis. It looked more like he was stepping into it, fully aware. I finally broke the silenc

Last Updated : 2026-07-06

Chapter 65

Ryan's POVThe doorbell rang just as David reached for another folder, and I didn't need to think twice to know who it was. Mom never announced her arrival twice."I'll get it," I said, pushing my chair back.As I walked to the front door, the walk felt longer than it should have. Maybe it was because everything that had happened today had finally begun catching up with me. Or maybe it was because I already knew the conversation waiting on the other side of that door.The moment I opened it, she looked me over from head to toe without saying a word. Her gaze moved from my face to my shoulders, then to my hands, almost as though she was making sure I was still in one piece.Only when she seemed satisfied did she finally speak."Have you eaten?"Despite everything that had happened, the question almost drew a smile from me."I've been accused of trafficking illegal goods today, Mom.""And starving yourself won't improve your defense."She brushed past me before I could respond, carrying

Last Updated : 2026-07-10

Chapter 66

Ryan's POVSleep never really came. Every time I closed my eyes, another headline flashed across the darkness.ANDERSON CORPORATION LINKED TO ILLEGAL SHIPMENT.AUTHORITIES WIDEN INVESTIGATION.SHAREHOLDERS DEMAND ANSWERS.By the time the first hint of dawn slipped through the curtains, I was already dressed. The study looked worse than it had the night before.Files remained scattered across the desk exactly where Samantha and I had left them. My laptop screen glowed with overnight market reports, while two tablets displayed live financial updates from different exchanges. Red figures dominated every graph. Our stock had opened lower in the international market.I reached for my phone before the coffee beside me had a chance to cool. Philip answered on the second ring."I've been expecting your call.""I know." I exhaled."The media isn't slowing down.""I know.""The board wants an emergency meeting.""They'll have one." Philip hesitated."They're nervous.""They're supposed to be."

Last Updated : 2026-07-11