"I have put up with your bad attitude for years," Mr. Malta sneered, pointing a finger at her. "You think you are too smart and too independent. But let me make one thing clear: you live under my roof, you carry my name, and you will do what I say."His brows twitched."If Ezra's father leaves this business deal because of what you did that night, I will take away your money, your cards, and every good thing you have. Do you understand me?"Raina kept quiet, but her eyes narrowed into a glare. Her forehead wrinkled with anger as she listened to him talk down to her."Look at me when I speak to you!" Mr. Malta snapped, taking a step toward her. "You will go to Ezra's house tomorrow morning. You will say sorry to Ezra, si

"If the seals break in the field," Slayde continued, his dark eyes locking onto Harlyn, "the repair costs and lawsuits will wipe out your profits three times over by next year. You are trading real quality for a quick payout to hide your lack of cash."The board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats. They looked down at the heat test numbers on the screen, then at Adin's pale face, and finally back at Harlyn.Harlyn’s hands squeezed into tight fists under the table. Slayde had not just checked their products; he knew every single weakness because he had created the original design years ago."This board will not listen to product advice from a criminal who just got out of prison!" Harlyn shouted, trying to get the board back on her side."You don't have to listen to me," Slayde said smoothly.He leaned forward as Viktor stepped up and placed a single sheet of paper on the glass table."As a twenty-five percent owner, I am using my legal right to stop any material change that

Raina froze, her breath catching in her throat as Slayde’s voice echoed across the room. The hot tear on her cheek suddenly felt icy cold. She stared at him, her heart thumping against her ribs in pure shock. Of all the people who could have walked through those doors, Slayde was the last person she expected to see.Her green eyes watched his large, calm frame by the entrance. A wave of mixed feelings rushed through her. Part of her felt a sharp spike of relief, she knew what he was capable of after watching him toss Ezra like a rag doll the night before. But another part felt exposed and humiliated. He was seeing her at her weakest, pinned down by Ezra's bodyguards and crying over cheap insults about her failed dreams.Raina bit her lower lip and forced her chin up, refusing to look weak. She stopped struggling against the guards' iron grip, keeping her posture stiff and her eyes on Slayde. The danger in the room remained, but the moment Slayde took a single step inside, the

Viktor adjusted the rearview mirror, glancing back at Slayde, who was staring out the window with a cold, blank expression."Sir," Viktor spoke up quietly, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "Are we truly going to leave Miss Malta like that? Her father will not take today's incident lightly, especially with Ezra involved."Slayde didn't shift his gaze from the glass. "I came to handle business, Viktor, not to play hero for a woman who walks into obvious traps.""She was cornered," Viktor noted mildly."And she chose to stand there," Slayde replied, his voice flat and steady. "I see no reason to keep helping someone who brings nothing to the table. Let her handle her own father."Viktor didn't push the matter further, simply nodding as he steered through the afternoon traffic. A few minutes later, the car pulled up to the curb in front of a quiet, high-end restaurant. Viktor stepped out to open the door, and Slayde walked inside to eat his meal in peace.**The Next DayThe morning

But the man sitting across from her today didn't look like a broke ex-convict who had gotten lucky. He moved with total authority, surrounded by a dangerous confidence that even Dominic's loudest threats couldn't break.A cold realization settled in her chest. Slayde wasn't acting like this on his own.‘There has to be someone behind him,’ Harlyn realized, her fingers tightening into fists under the table. ‘Someone extremely powerful is backing him, feeding him capital, and helping him buy up Delyas shares.’She stared at his calm face, comparing it to Dominic's loud, sweating face right next to her. Dominic was losing his temper, screaming about the past just to keep control, while Slayde sat there like a king watching two peasants throw a tantrum.A sharp spike of unease shot through her. Had she completely misjudged Slayde when they were together? Or had she missed something massive about who he really was before they sent him to prison?Harlyn's mouth went dry. For the first