f a table, as if anchoring herself to the present. The conversation with her grandfather had gone better than she had expected, but it ha

o tell Julia

he one she was supposed to trust the most in the world. But what sh

working in his study, his presence a soft, distant hum of keystrokes and occasional murmurs. She paused at

Julian's footsteps approaching snapped her back to the present. She looked u

leaned down to kiss her cheek. "Y

f guilt through her. She forced a smile, trying to k

ent, his brow furrowing. "Do

d, knowing that the time had come. "Julia

meanor. He straightened, the casual warmth in his eyes

their seats, the silence between them heavy with unspoken fears. She took a deep breath, her hands trembling

ross his face. "My company? What do you

al discrepancies-money that seemed to be missing or moved around without any clear reason. At first, I t

elief. His mouth opened slightly as if he was about to speak, but no words ca

to help." she continued. "That's why I went to see my grandfather today

didn't you tell me about this sooner?" he asked, his voice tight with f

y resting it on top of his clenched fist. "I didn't want to upset you until I knew more," she said softly, her v

began to pace the living room. "I can't believe this," he muttered, more to

t crossed Julian's mind. Those were enough to show the exte

it happened, but it did," she said, her voice steady despite the emotions threatening to

int of something Erica could not decipher in his eyes. "Who could be b

seat to stand in front of him. "But whoever it is, they're close to us.

at she could see the muscles twitching. "Of course,

o figure this out together," she said, squeezing his hand gently. "My grandfather agreed to help us,

e tension in his posture remained. "Your g

ion. "Yes. He has connections and resources that we don't have, and he's already started

essed her words. "I just can't believe this is happening," he said, more to hi

ear. "But we'll find out. We'll dig through every record, every transaction until w

o be careful, Erica. If someone's doing this, they might try to cover their trac

an't let fear control us. We have to stay stron

jaw set with reso

acing, ulian was her partner, her equal, and she knew that together, they could overcome anything. "We're in th

r hand, his grip f

nse of purpose. Erica pulled out her laptop, opening the files she had compiled on

line on the screen. "Whoever did this, they're good. Bu

hey were so confident, why would they make

e. Or maybe they thought no one would notice. But we

arching for patterns and inconsistencies. The work was painstaking and exhausting, bu

turn moments later with renewed determination. Erica admired his tenacity, though she could see the toll it was taking on him.

ble. She picked it up, seeing a message from her grandfather. Her heart ra

g. "My grandfather... he found something. It