2025-08-17 21:52:28
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CHAPTER 652
"I have heard plenty," Elias replied calmly. "Apparently, the President has committed an unforgivable crime by loving his wife." Steven rubbed his forehead. "They believe she should never have discovered the Circle. Some are questioning whether I can separate my family from my responsibilities." "And what do you think?" Steven paused. "I think they are entitled to question the security failure. Jennifer entering that chamber was unacceptable. But I will not apologize for protecting her, and I will not allow anyone to threaten her because of what she discovered." There was a brief silence on the line. Then Elias spoke. "Good." Steven straightened. "Good?" "Yes, Steven. Good. I wanted to hear that from you." Elias's voice carried a seriousness Steven rarely heard from him. "When I began preparing you for this position, I knew you possessed the intelligence to manage the Circle. You could read a room, understand a threat, negotiate with difficult people, and mak
CHAPTER 651
He closed the file. "This meeting is over." Nobody moved until Steven turned toward the doors. Then Victor spoke behind him. "Sir, the Circle has survived because we have never allowed emotions to interfere with duty." Steven stopped. For a moment, he remained facing the doors. Then he turned back. "And the Circle has survived because I have never confused duty with cruelty." His gaze fixed on Victor. "Do not mistake my love for my wife for an inability to lead. If anything, what happened yesterday has reminded me exactly what kind of man I refuse to become." He walked out. The doors closed behind him. ***** Luisa caught up with Steven in the corridor. "Steven." He stopped. "Mother," he replied, acknowledging her position in the family before her position in the Circle. She studied his face. "They will continue to question this." "I know." "Some believe Jennifer is now a permanent vulnerability." Steven's jaw tightened. "Then they should
CHAPTER 650
Steven received the summons forty minutes later. He was sitting in his study at home when his secure phone vibrated. The message contained only one sentence. EMERGENCY SESSION. FULL ATTENDANCE REQUIRED. He read it, then placed the phone on his desk. Jennifer stood near the doorway, watching him. "They're calling you back, aren't they?" "Yes." "Because of me?" "Because of what happened that day." She approached him slowly. "Steven, I don't want you to fight your entire organization because of me." He looked up immediately. "Listen to me carefully. You are not a mistake I need to correct. You are not a liability I regret marrying. And I will not walk into that chamber and allow anyone to convince you otherwise." "But they believe I should never have known." "Some of them do." "And what if they demand that you choose between me and the Circle?" Steven stood. "Then they'll hear my answer." Jennifer caught his hand before he could walk away. "Please
CHAPTER 649
A departure announcement sounded overhead. Andrew opened his eyes, tucked the photograph away, and boarded. He had no guarantee he would reach Mexico. He had no guarantee Juliana would believe him. He had no guarantee he would even get the chance to stand before her. But he had seven days. And for the woman he loved, he was prepared to fight for every single one of them. At the Andreas mansion, Juliana stood before her bedroom mirror while a stylist adjusted the final details of her wedding outfit. Her phone lay on the dressing table beside the wedding schedule. Seven days. Everyone around her was excited. Her family was discussing the guest list, the security arrangements, and the final preparations. Harrera had called twice that morning, asking whether she wanted to visit the venue with him. She had laughed, teased him, and promised to see him that evening. She had sounded like the happiest bride in Mexico. But beneath her calm expression, she was countin
CHAPTER 648
The sun was beginning to set when Andrew made his move. He had waited until Kelvin left the room to speak to the restaurant owner, hoping to convince him to pay Andrew's remaining wages. Andrew knew he should have left a note. He knew Kelvin would panic when he discovered the empty bed and the missing backpack. But he also knew Kelvin would come after him if he had even the slightest idea where he was going. And Andrew couldn't risk that. He slipped out through the back entrance, carrying everything he owned. The little envelope of savings sat inside his bag. He had counted the money so many times that he knew the amount by heart. It wasn't enough for a flight. It wasn't enough for a comfortable journey. It might not even be enough to get him through the first stage of the route he had been considering. But it was what he had. He had no passport he could safely rely on for the journey, no secure contacts waiting for him, and no guarantee that anyone would help hi
CHAPTER 647
Andrew pulled the straps tight. "She's getting married." Silence. Kelvin stared at him. "Who?" Andrew turned around, his eyes bloodshot. "Juliana. She's marrying Harrera in seven days." Kelvin's expression changed immediately. "Oh, Andrew..." "No." Andrew shook his head violently. "Don't. Don't say it like that." Kelvin took a careful step toward him. "Where did you hear this?" "On the television at the restaurant. They showed the photographs. They were laughing, holding each other, talking about their wedding as though the world had never done anything wrong to either of them." He let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh. "She looked happy, Kelvin." Kelvin said nothing. Andrew's eyes shone with fresh tears. "She looked happy with him." "Andrew, you don't know what she knows." "Exactly!" The shout startled Kelvin. Andrew dragged both hands through his hair. "That's exactly why I have to go! I don't know what that bastard has told her. I don't kno
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