"Elena," Joshua said, stepping forward, "these documents were never presented to you. You've never seen them, and neither has your father's company. That story doesn't hold together."Elena's confidence faltered visibly, her eyes darting toward the folder as though calculating whether denial was still worth attempting. "I—there must be some mistake.""There's no mistake," Joshua said, taking the folder from her hands without resistance from the officer beside him.Joshua took the folder and opened it in front of everyone, flipping through the pages slowly, deliberately, letting the silence stretch. Inside were copies of several confidential investment proposals, including information about deals Joshua had not yet accepted."These are our unsigned proposals," Monica said, peering over his shoulder, her expression darkening with every page. "Deals still in negotiation. Nobody outside this floor should have access to this. I locked these down myself two days ago."Monica immediately und

This left Natalie feeling visibly uncomfortable, her hands tightening in her lap as she stared at the table, unable to meet anyone's eyes."So you're telling me," the lead executive said slowly, glancing toward Natalie, "that his talent isn't recent at all. It's been there the entire time.""Obviously," Victor said. "I'm honestly stunned anyone's debating this. If I were sitting where you are, I'd have signed already."The meeting concluded shortly after, the earlier tension dissolving into brisk, businesslike agreement as the executives began discussing next steps, Natalie's earlier objections effectively buried beneath Victor's unprompted testimony.After the meeting, Victor privately approached Natalie and made it clear that he found her attitude toward Joshua strange."Natalie, right?" Victor said, catching up to her near the elevator as the other executives dispersed."That's right," she said stiffly."Can I ask you something?" Victor said, his tone genuinely curious rather than

"Filing reports, running errands, that kind of thing," Joshua said evenly, echoing the exact words used against him days earlier at his own headquarters. "I believe that's how you once described my position.""I— that's not—" Whitmore stammered, glancing helplessly between Lorenzo and Victor, both of whom were watching with barely concealed interest. "Joshua, I had no idea. If I'd known—"Joshua did not insult him. He simply reminded him that some people only recognize talent after they have lost the right to control it."You don't need to explain," Joshua said calmly. "Some people only recognize talent after they've already lost the right to control it. You're not the first, and you won't be the last."The former boss desperately attempted to repair the relationship and asked Joshua to reconsider their past. "Joshua, please," Whitmore said, his earlier bravado completely gone, replaced by visible desperation. "Whatever happened between us before, surely we can move past it. I'd very

"Mr. Hart," the director said, his voice tight with concern, "we've found something concerning during a routine review of your mother's file. Someone attempted to access her private hospital records using false authorization credentials."A routine examination had revealed an unusual irregularity in his mother's medical records. Someone had attempted to access her private hospital file using false authorization.Joshua's expression immediately changed. "When did this happen?""Sometime within the last twenty-four hours," the director said. "We caught it during a security audit. Whoever attempted it used credentials that shouldn't have granted access at all."He ordered the director to lock down the records and investigate every person who had accessed them. "Lock down every file connected to her immediately," Joshua said, his voice hardening. "I want a full log of every person who's accessed those records in the past month, no exceptions.""Understood, sir. I'll have it compiled withi

The argument became emotional as Joshua demanded the truth from both of them. "Enough," Joshua said, his voice cutting through both of theirs, sharp enough that the room fell instantly silent. "Both of you. I want the truth. Now."His mother finally admitted that she had deliberately hidden parts of his father's past because she wanted Joshua to grow up without being dragged into those dangerous circles. "I hid it from you," Eleanor said, tears welling in her eyes as she sank back into her chair, "because I wanted you to grow up normal. Ordinary. Safe from whatever world your father got tangled up in. I wanted you far away from all of it, Joshua. I thought I was protecting you.""Mom," Joshua said, his voice softer now, kneeling fully in front of her, "what world?"Before Joshua could learn more, several men attempted to force their way through a secondary entrance of the villa."Sir!" a guard's voice crackled urgently through the radio, cutting sharply into the tense silence. "Breach