Chapter 41

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“I apologize, Mr. Horvath, but the people I hired tried their best and they didn’t find anything. Again,” Mondo said after serving Liam a hot cup of tea. “We thought we thought we had this time, but it seems our information was either wrong

or-

“Or we were purposely baited,” Liam finished Mondo’s sentence le closed the document on the tablet and leaned back.

“Mr. Horvath if I may say something..” Mondo cleared his threat.

“You may,

“I think.. if your hunch was right, and that Old Mr. Rossi was indeed murdered by the same people who caused the accident years ago, then perhaps it’s better if we handle this matter even more discreetly. I mean.

“I know what you mean, Mondo.” Liam tapped the edge of the tablet with his finger.

Mondo stood nearby, his posture rigid, waiting for further instruction. The room was dimly lit, the glow from a single desk lamp casting long shadows that mirrored the heavy tension between them.

“Keep it contained.” Liam said finally. “No one outside the team is to know we’re still investigating.”

Mondo nodded. “Understood, Mr. Horvath. But I’m concerned. If this goes deeper than we anticipated, we might be walking into something we’re not fully prepared for

Mondo had a point. After the old man’s death, Liam had started digging–first out of curiosity, then out of necessity. What he found left him unsettled. The deeper he went, the clearer it became that the man he thought he knew had lived a far more complicated life. Secrets, tangled alliances, and scandals lurked in the shadows.

The revelations painted a picture far from the image of strength and honor Liam had always admired. It wasn’t just messy- it was dangerous. And as much as he hated to admit it, the more he uncovered, the more he realized this wasn’t something Izzy could face alone.

“We’ve been prepared for this since the moment I stepped in. I knew what I was up against,” Liam said.

Mondo hesitated, then added, “And if the Rossi Group’s board makes their move once Miss Izzy turns twenty–six?”

Liam’s jaw tightened. He didn’t respond immediately, his thoughts spiraling back to the promises he’d made years ago, Izzy’s grandfather had been adamant about one thing: she was to be protected, no matter the cost. Liam had agreed, not fully understanding the weight of that responsibility at the time. Now, every move he made felt like a chess piece being placed on a board where the stakes were constantly shifting.

“That’s exactly why we can’t lose momentum,” Liam said finally “Once she gains access to her shares, they’ll try to leverage her. The board’s interest in her isn’t because of who she is; it’s what she represents–control They won’t hesitate to manipulate her, use her as a pawn.”

Mondo nodded but didn’t speak, his eyes scanning Liam’s face for further instruction.

extent of it,” Liam continued, more to himself now. “She doesn’t need to. Not yet.”

been about appearances or fulfilling the terms of a contract. It was about ensuring that when the board came for her–and he knew they would–she wouldn’t be standing alone. He’d positioned himself strategically, not just to shield her from

made.

taken her parents. The sudden and convenient death of her grandfather. It was all too neatly aligned with moments when the Rossi Group

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Chapter 41

destabilize the

briefly before forcing them to relax. He couldn’t afford to

into the Rossi Group’s board members. Their connections, their pasts–everything. I want to know who they’re aligned with, who benefits if Izzy loses control of

have to move carefully. If

won’t,” Liam interrupted. “You’ll ensure they don’t,”

pursue that lead further?” Mondo asked.

about money or power anymore. It’s personal. They’ve been picking off her family one by one, and they’ll come for her next if we’re not ahead of them.

brows furrowed, but he nodded. “Understood. I’ll allocate

need you to add more people to observe Calen Weiss, Monica, and Amalta. I want to know their moves and their

nodded again, silent this time.

him with a slight wave of his hand, leaning back in his chair once Mondo had left the room. The silence

had always been a pillar of vitality–active, sharp, and full of life. Even then, his voice had carried the weight

“She’s stronger than she

didn’t know the lengths he’d gone to for her, and she never would if he had

tonight. The way she’d looked at him on the dance floor–guarded, skeptical, but with a spark of the same defiance he’d always admired. She didn’t trust him, not entirely, and he couldn’t blame her. But he didn’t need her trust

in them clear. He wouldn’t fail her. Not against the board,

picked up the tablet again, scrolling through the dossier Mondo had left behind. Names, dates, connections–they were pieces of a puzzle he was determined to solve. For now, all he could

very least, forgive

“Liam?”

over the tablet as he looked up, caught off guard by Izzy standing in the doorway. She was wearing a white robe, her hair damp and clinging to her shoulders, a faint sheen of moisture still visible on her skin. Her pale complexion, framed by her slightly tousled hair, gave her an ethereal beauty that momentarily stole his breath.

held a wine bottle and

Jan

Chapter 41

in?” she asked,

a beat, his gaze flicking between her and the wine. “Since

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