As Benson was dragged away and the seals snapped shut around the cargo, the dock slowly exhaled from shock into uneasy silence. Officers began redirecting workers, cameras were shut down, and the Iron Meridian was formally placed under investigation hold. Selene gave one last order for all documents and logs to be secured, then turned toward the dock office. Whatever had just been exposed on the deck was only the surface. The real answers, and the real traitor, were waiting inside.The dock office smelled of paper, oil, and stress.Selene stood at the center table, the seized documents spread out in neat rows under bright lights. The sounds outside were muffled now—boots moving, radios crackling—but the chaos had been sealed behind thick glass and authority.She picked up a log sheet and tapped it once with her finger. “Who initiated this booking?”The Titan Crest executive shifted in his chair. Sweat had darkened the collar of his shirt. “It was… routed through special approval,”

The room didn’t feel like an apology anymore.It felt like a trap.Selene sat with her shoulders straight, but the air around the table had turned sharp, like glass waiting to cut. The tall windows poured in warm light, yet every face across from her looked colder by the second.Janet Yulian smiled like she was hosting a celebration, not cleaning up a crime.“Before anyone thinks this is an ambush,” Janet said smoothly, “let me repeat it clearly. Titan Crest regrets what happened at Dock Nine. We accept that the proper owner channel was bypassed.”Selene didn’t blink. “You call that bypassed. I call it attempted theft.”A quiet cough came from one of the investors. He was older, heavy around the shoulders, with the look of a man who had signed contracts since before Janet was born.“Madam Selene,” he said, “the word theft is strong.”Selene turned her eyes to him. “Strong actions deserve strong words.”Janet lifted a hand as if calming a child. “We understand your anger,” she said. “

Ethan lifted his eyes from the screen, and the room felt smaller.Janet’s smile stayed on her face, but it tightened at the corners like it was glued there. Petra Sloane leaned back with a look that said she was ready to enjoy the show. Malik crossed his arms, already bored. Selene’s fingers stayed near Ethan’s on the table, and Ethan felt the faint tremor she was trying to hide.Janet tapped her pen once, slow and mocking. “By all means, Mr. Ethan,” she said sweetly. “Enlighten us.”Robert Gibson gave a small laugh. “Try not to pull out family pictures,” he added. “We’re talking business here.”Ethan didn’t look at Robert. He didn’t look at Janet either. He set his phone on the table so everyone could see it, then slid it forward a little, calm like he was presenting a report at a normal meeting.“I’m not here to argue feelings,” Ethan said. “I’m not here to trade insults.”Malik’s mouth curved. “Then why are you here?”Ethan met his eyes briefly. “Because facts are faster than ru

The room didn’t erupt when Orson Vale spoke. It didn’t need to.Silence fell in a different way this time, heavier and deliberate, as chairs shifted and attention realigned. Where Janet had once commanded the center, eyes now moved past her without effort, landing on Selene as if pulled by gravity.Orson leaned back slightly. “Let’s talk capacity,” he repeated, calm and final.Janet’s fingers curled against the armrest. She forced a smile that no longer reached her eyes. “Capacity can be discussed,” she said quickly, “but only if we address the operational risks—”Petra Sloane raised a hand without looking at her. “We already are,” she said. “By speaking to the owner of this seemingly marvelous ship, which is you.” Malik nodded once. “Exactly. The asset is hers. The authority is hers.”Janet opened her mouth again, then closed it.Selene didn’t rush to fill the space. She straightened in her seat, her posture was relaxed but grounded, like someone who didn’t need to fight for atten

Janet’s chair scraped the floor as she stood, but she didn’t leave yet.Her voice came out smooth, trained, like she could still steer a room even while losing it. “Before everyone walks out smiling,” she said, “I need to ask one last thing.”A few people paused mid-handshake.Selene didn’t move. She simply kept the folders in her hand, calm like she had already won and didn’t need to prove it again.Orson Vale looked over slowly. “Ask,” he said, bored, like he was giving her one minute out of respect.Janet’s gaze swept the investors. Malik. Petra. Orson. “You’re making a heavy commitment,” she said. “And I understand why. The Iron Meridian is big. It looks powerful.”Malik’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t compliment before you poison unless you’re desperate.”Janet ignored the jab. “This isn’t poison,” she said. “It’s caution. One ship. One owner. One temper.”Selene’s eyes chilled. “Pick your words carefully Mrs Yulian.”Janet held up both hands as if she had been misunderstood. “I’m no