ally thrived in the quiet of early mornings, but today, the silence felt oppressive. As he

ew of the city skyline through the large window-it all exuded the control he was desperately trying to maintain. He w

m since the early days of the company. Daniel had been given to Julian when he was a child, a

sk efficiency. He placed a cup of coffee on his desk and handed hi

ly registered the taste. "Keep an eye out for any mes

ssion that told Julian he had already noticed the tension in h

ted to say more, but he respected his space. "

Julian replied, managing a sma

a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and turned his attention to the folder b

the screen was brief, but it sent a jolt of tension through

nd the company's head of security. King was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a laid-back demeanor that held his s

ed into one of the chairs across from Julian's desk, his casual posture a st

tempt to lighten the mood. "Just tr

sygoing expression giving way to concer

n just a friend; he was someone who had pulled Julian out of more than a few

Julian began, his voice low. "Missing money

ant, replaced by the sharp focus of the se

oice. "She's been digging into the finances, and now her grandfather is involved.

kind of someone who doesn't

. But there's more to this. The message I just got-it's from them. They'v

forward. "And what d

now who's behind it and other things surrounding this matter but I still have to

eed to be careful. If this guy is as dangerous as he sounds,

ady despite the unease gnawing at him.

"Don't keep this from Erica. She ne

ell her. But first, I need to get through this

on the shoulder. "Just keep you

s tie as he prepared to face the board. The weight of the situation st

calm confidence. The board members looked up as he entered, t

Julian said, his voice s

c discussions. Julian kept his composure, playing the part of the unflappab

t. The game was far from over, and Julian Sinclair wasn't one to lose. But he knew tha