Kyle’s eyes flicked once toward Marcus, then returned to the attorneys as he lifted a hand and pointed at the detective.“That man right there was engaged to the deceased. And somehow he is also the one investigating the circumstances of her death.” Kyle’s voice stayed even. “Do any of you consider that coincidental?”On hearing that, Marcus’ chair legs scraped sharply against the floor as he shot to his feet.“Excuse me?” he bellowed. "You better watch it, Mr. Kyle."The prosecuting attorney’s expression did not change.“I don’t know if it’s coincidental,” she said, “but I’ll tell you what it is not. It isn't proof that Catherine didn't commit suicide after being bullied by her boss.”Lena leaned in close to Kyle’s shoulder, her voice a sharp whisper. “What the hell are you doing?”Kyle ignored her, his eyes remaining fixed on the attorneys.“Of course I know that,” he answered the prosecuting attorney's remark. “Which is why I have access to a secret video recording of Catherine’s a

“Kyle?” Olivia called, narrowing her eyes as she leaned forward. “I’m listening.”Kyle leaned back in his chair, the leather giving a faint creak beneath him. He picked up the pen resting on his desk and rolled it slowly between his fingers, watching her with quiet amusement. A low chuckle escaped him.“What do you think?” he asked.He let the question hang for a moment, studying the curiosity in her expression. “You thought I doctored the video recording?”Olivia’s mouth curved into a knowing smile. She gave a soft chuckle and shook her head. “I’m certain you’d do anything for Dora. So no, I wouldn’t be surprised if you took it that far.”Kyle’s smile deepened, faint but genuine. He set the pen aside and rested both forearms on the desk. “Well, my private investigator is one of a kind. Besides, the detective handling the case was clearly biased from the beginning.”Olivia nodded slowly. The amusement in her eyes faded as the weight of the situation settled over them again. “Right.”

The kiss deepened almost without either of them intending it to. Kyle’s hands moved with slow, careful hunger–one settling at the small of Dora’s back while the other traced the curve of her waist through the soft fabric of her blouse. Her fingers responded in kind, sliding up the front of his shirt and lingering over the steady rise and fall of his chest before curling lightly into the fabric.Their mouths moved together with growing urgency, the restraint they had maintained throughout the evening gradually giving way to the warmth between them. For a few heartbeats, it felt as though the moment might even carry them further than either had intended.Kyle felt Dora lean into him, felt the slight parting of her lips inviting him closer, and his body responded before his mind could catch up.Then Dora stopped.She drew back just enough to break the kiss, her breath still uneven between them. Kyle felt the change immediately and pulled away as well. The sudden absence of her touch l

The moment Kyle’s car screeched to a stop beneath the glowing emergency bay lights, the hospital’s night team sprang into action. Orderlies and nurses rushed forward, opening the rear doors before Sophia had even fully stepped out.Several pairs of hands carefully lifted Eleanor from the back seat and transferred her onto a waiting gurney. Within seconds, they were wheeling her through the automatic doors and down the short corridor, with Kyle and Sophia following close behind.The sharp scent of antiseptic hung in the air as fluorescent lights hummed overhead. When they reached the double doors marked Emergency – Authorized Personnel Only, a nurse stepped in front of them and raised a hand.“You’ll have to wait here.”The doors swung shut with a soft hydraulic hiss, leaving Eleanor on the other side.Sophia began pacing almost immediately, her arms folded tightly across her chest as her heels clicked against the polished floor. Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed from worry. Every

Vivian nodded. “Yes,” she said, her voice thin. “It could. It really could.” Then she held his gaze, searching his face. “Is there anything that can be done?” James let the question hang between them. He drew his brows together, taking on the appearance of someone carefully considering the problem. After a few seconds, he stepped closer to her and stopped just an arm’s length away. Then he met her eyes with a calm, almost gentle expression. “Of course, Vivian,” he said. “There are a thousand things that can be done. Nowhere in God's green earth has a brother’s conviction ever affected his sister’s company or her legal rights. The two are separate, and the law always keeps them that way.” Vivian still looked unconvinced. She rubbed the side of her neck, her fingers restless. “And what about the testimony Raymond could give once they question him in court? Have you thought about that?” James reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder. The touch was light but delibe