whiskey. The city skyline blinked beyond the towering windows, a web of golden lights and ambition. He swirled the li

ded her about not going through him, he could see that Damien was impressed. He was the one who was supposed to impress Damien not Lorai

rang. Righ

hesitate

son has been suspended indefinitely. They found enough on him to st

t Nathan's lips.

s he tried to bury," Conrad added, a hint of amusement in

n who sat on the compliance committee and prided himself on sniffing out corruption like a bloodhound was now headed for a public, humiliating downfall. It was ironic, almost poeti

messages, the financial press. He didn't check them. He didn't need to. He could already se

o was in

care about the temporary turbulence. He thrived in the chaos. And this was just phase t

aution, he could slip through whatever he needed. Whisper the right things

t the fire of the whisk

f wanted to amuse him further,

orne was in

sphere. She was flanked by four others, all senior team members, legal and operations.

owledge him. No

. I want full details on the charges being laid against Ben Nelson. If there's

, ma

has a whole. Ben's whole image is linked to Th

et righ

wary eyes. "Start drafting a statement for the press. I wan

ady o

red. "Pull up the internal audit trail. If there

like a general on the battlefield poised, commanding, not missin

he was

go

d been right, Loraine Thorne shouldn't be underestimated. But the best part of chess w

oved toward the window. His phone was s

d, his voice low. "Le

g the documents,"

sy for Loraine to

want that" Conra

ontrol of the room, directing lawyers and strategist

er fix it. But we provide

to play

ero," Nathan sai

m passes, she shoul

ust as Loraine finished delegating and dismisse

she said

ow smile. "Quite th

ow sharp, calculating. "We'r

ct nothing le

say thank you. Didn't praise or question. Just held his gaz

nt of her perfume lingering behind l

glass again, v

ate," h