Ryan had always trusted his instincts.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XfHH9kAX8
It's what made him a sharp businessman and an even sharper leader.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkAGX1QX2N
But lately, it wasn't just boardroom politics bothering him.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXqzdLvwDH
It was the cold prickle on his neck... every time Samantha walked alone.
Every time Angelique smiled in a crowd.
Every time something didn't feel right.
He reviewed the firm's CCTV footage again—footage from the parking lot, the lobby, the daycare drop-off.
And there she was.
Trina.
Once.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6T0Hj50XR
Twice.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWgsGZMx7G
In places she had no reason to be.
She never approached. Never said a word.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q2lIGkPHt
But she was always watching.
Ryan's jaw clenched.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE7oeiR2hk
He hit pause. Screenshot. Saved.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT65nmmxrv
Then he stood up.
"No more waiting."
That night, he drove to Samantha's house unannounced.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB61P1cAWTA
She opened the door, wearing one of his old hoodies and a curious expression.
"Is everything okay?"
"No," he said bluntly. "But it will be. I need to talk to you."
Over coffee, Ryan laid out everything—his suspicions, the footage, the patterns.
Samantha listened quietly. She didn't flinch.
"I always felt it," she admitted softly. "But I didn't want to believe she'd go that far."
"She's escalating," Ryan said. "I think she's planning something."
Sam nodded, eyes sharp now. "Then we plan something too."
The next day, Ryan made two phone calls:37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSNCtYWnKJ
One to Private Security.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2u3lmRHWR
One to Legal Affairs.
Samantha would be protected. Watched. Guarded.
He wasn't taking chances.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxA8B0TXwh
Not again.
But elsewhere in the city...37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay8erWOqgU
Trina was reading an email.
It was a reply.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1HZVJMmJU
From an anonymous PR handler.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KUDByf31R
One she paid to publish something under a fake tip-off.
"Article goes live in 48 hours. Your name stays clean."37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFckhCrCGc
"Do you want to remain anonymous?"
Trina smiled.
"Absolutely."
And so, the stage was set.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62NoHzCauv
One man protecting.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFleS7dvbJ
One woman plotting.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK1bIeFHO5
And one storm just waiting to break.
37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN2PydzR3k
