Lorenzo's throat tightened unexpectedly, though he masked it quickly behind his familiar, composed smile, straightening his jacket with practiced ease. "Well," he said, "I suppose I owe you a drink."For the first time, he looked at Joshua less like someone he needed to protect and more like a man who could stand beside him.Later that evening, Lorenzo investigated the rival's accusations and discovered that the man's return was not simply about revenge.Lorenzo sat alone in his study, several old files spread across his desk, pulling records and making quiet, urgent calls to contacts he hadn't spoken to in years.Someone had recently given him information about Lorenzo's past and specifically directed him toward Joshua.Someone fed him this, Lorenzo thought grimly, reading through a report one of his old contacts had sent him. Directed him straight toward Joshua specifically. This wasn't spontaneous. This was arranged.Lorenzo immediately became cautious because the person who suppli

Someone at the far end of the table whispered, not quietly enough, "He looks like he's about to fold.""Or beg," another murmured.Joshua remained calm and revealed that he had already expected Victoria to use the supplier issue against him."It's accurate," Joshua said, closing the folder and setting it aside. "The restriction is real. I expected you to bring it up."Victoria's smile flickered. "Did you?""Of course," Joshua said. "It's what I would have done."He produced a second agreement showing that Galaxy had secured another supplier earlier that morning.Joshua slid a single document across the table. "Galaxy signed a new supply agreement at eight o'clock this morning. Greater capacity, better pricing, and a faster delivery window than the supplier you're so eager to hold over me."The alternative was even stronger than the one Victoria had tried to control.The investors leaned in, scanning the pages. The murmurs shifted in tone almost instantly."This is considerably stronge

Joshua recognized the name immediately but refused to explain everything he knew about the person."He was," Joshua said. His voice gave nothing away."You know more than that.""I do," Joshua said. "It isn't relevant yet.""Isn't it?" Victoria pressed. "You went very still when I said the name.""Victoria," Joshua said evenly, "you'll get the answers when there are answers to give."Victoria noticed his reaction and realized the mystery was much older than their current rivalry.She watched the stillness in his face, the way his eyes lingered on the name a moment too long. This isn't about the two of us, she thought. Whatever this is, it started long before either of us built anything.Before they could investigate further, one of their sources suddenly withdrew his cooperation after receiving a threatening message."Mr. Hart," the source said over the speaker, his voice unsteady. "I can't help you anymore.""What happened?" Joshua asked."I got a message an hour ago," the man said.

The following morning, Natalie confronted Selena about the meeting. She had barely slept, the photograph replaying in her mind, and she arrived at Selena's apartment before the city had fully woken."Who was that man?" Natalie demanded, dropping her phone onto the table between them, the photograph glowing on the screen. "Why were you meeting someone connected to Joshua's enemies?"She demanded to know why she had been meeting someone connected to Joshua's enemies and why she had been asking for private information about Galaxy."And why do you need private information about Galaxy? Contracts, executive access, legal position. Explain that too."Selena remained calm and refused to give her a direct explanation, which made Natalie even more suspicious."Business is full of meetings, Natalie," Selena said, lifting her cup with unhurried grace. "I don't account for every one of them.""That isn't an answer.""It's the one you're getting," Selena said pleasantly.Selena reminded Natalie t

"Mr. Hale," Damien said, taking the seat across from him in a quiet, wood-paneled office. "I believe we share an inconvenience named Joshua Hart."Richard leaned back, watching him. "Go on."Damien presented himself as someone who could help Richard weaken Joshua without exposing their connection."I can help you weaken him," Damien continued, "and your name never has to appear in any of it. You keep your hands clean. I take the risk.""And what do you get out of it?" Richard asked."The satisfaction," Damien said coldly, "of watching him fall."Mark remained involved only from a distance.He continued working for Natalie while quietly dealing with the consequences of his earlier decisions, the beating he'd given Damien's contact, the folder he still couldn't stop thinking about, and the growing feeling that he had sold himself to the wrong people.He noticed Damien becoming more independent and warned him that Joshua was not someone who could be attacked carelessly."Be careful, Dami