-ups on the scree

orization layer. The missing pages. Whoever had done this was clean. Without the highest-level a

ntil the 8:00

took a long gulp. The bitter, icy jolt hit her syste

struct it?

e access logs from the past half hour, the trimming marks on the paper, and the PR department's operational records in

tin and embedded a new clause at the end. A "R

irms known public information. All cross-border risks not explicitly authorized

confirm legal compliance, while the internal risk rep

ion triggered. Highest-level ale

her screen, the risk control offic

Cedar flooded the

nal guards. He'd changed into a dark gray bespoke su

nd remained poised above the sub

to assume liability for raw data. The missing attachments and trimming marks have already been syn

son who signed tak

rently followed Asher in, hi

ou. If you only found the problem now

nally lo

es

ed the su

o its final version. The newly added cla

approval of cross-border funds. Responsibility for original data authentic

tor's expression

ened ano

, a PR department internal

he paper version

olled f

ete attachments disappea

ing director, her voi

who deleted those attachments

ng director's forehead. "This i

nti

calm, but heavy enough to c

rector's mout

s away, expressionless, watching the screen.

finger slid across the trackpad, pu

terminal: Acting PR Dire

l office fell i

face went gray. "Mr. K

rcy's desk, his gaze fixed on the audit c

rtment dictate risk control

st the edge of her desk, his cold gaz

e was slick with sweat. "

sher's gaze cut through him like a blade. "Your permissi

mouth, then closed it. He didn't dare say another w

om fel

of Darcy's glowing s

n han

sk control team just saved a thirty-million-doll

ed deep within his steel-gray pupils. He looked down a

s highest-level performance bonus to

stare. "Bare

, his tone snapping back t

, change into formal wear. You're com

flickered.

e there tonight." Asher straightened his cuffs, elegant and co

ut, leaving the statem

nd over her mouse, then pres

ose permissions

to touch him. Asher didn't even let him explain. And." Maeve's expression grew complicated as she looked at Darcy. "That Hunt Night tonight. Every

ir, her fingertips tracing t

n. I'm not stay

Top-floo

collar traced the line of her neck, covering every

ay a temporary black-g

tone was respectful. "Without an insignia,

ushed it back. She reached for her own standard

ect lead. Not under

a second, then bowed and

trace of scent was sealed away. To the wolves in the banquet hall, she would r

ed open

d's formal attire, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, the storm-w

ID badge pinned to her left chest

insig

Tonight my role is project auditor. If I walk in wearing your person

't nee

as silent for

p professional boundaries she'd drawn. No anger surfac

recognizes bloodline. Without an insign

Darcy met his eyes without flinching. "If Kingston's autho

orner of his mouth lifted,

simply extended his

through the authorizati

her hand on it. Through the fabric of his suit, she

ou, Mr.

tly. "Standing beside me to

ugh the faint mechanical vibration, the heavy Alpha pres

i

tor doors

wept toward them at once, from the storm-wolf insignia on Asher

e side, blocking the entrance. He b

nging an unmarked outsider through the door. The Elders' Cou