God. Ten years ago, they ripped Iris away from me. And now? Now they’re doing it again—with Cece. But subtler. Undermining her. Making passive-aggressive comments about her hair.
Now I’m one hundred percent sure that they brought Iris back because it wasthemwho contacted Miller-Moore. They must have known. And they want Cece gone somehow, and their snide remarks weren’t enough.
Fuck.
They’re even intervening in the merger. Sabotaging it from the inside, probably because they know now, that Cece and I are getting suspicious. About the potential embezzlement. And God knows what else.
If they destroy the merger, if I lose the presidencybecause of the clause—
Fuck.
Everything clicks into place. The pattern. The manipulation. The control.
I barely register that Iris is now standing a little closer. “Levi… I—”
“I’ll talk to you later,” I mutter hastily, already turning away. Because right now, there’s only one person I need to talk to.
I head back to Taewon, who’s clearly been watching my entire exchange with Iris. The confirmation must be written all over my face, because he doesn’t even ask. “I gotta go,” I say, breath sharp. “You handle my parents.”
He gives me a tight nod, all business. “I’ll politely decline.”
Fucking hell.
I roll my eyes. “Coward.”
He smirks, unbothered. “Survival instinct.”
Of course. Guess I’ll have to grit my teeth through one last round of champagne and small talk before I disappear. But if I’m going down, I’m dragging Tae with me. “Come on,” I mutter. “Let’s go smile and nod.”
He sighs, defeated. But relents. And just like that, I slip the damn mask back on.
For now.
??????
PRESENT DAY
I reluctantly left Cece when Vi came over yesterday. I still don’t know how much sleep sheactually got the night before—but she slept right through Vi’s arrival, and through me carrying her back to bed.
Vi told me she needs recovery time after an episode.
What rattled me wasn’t just her saying it. It was how confidently she said it. Like she knew exactly what had happened.
I have no idea how Vi even knew something was wrong. But I’ll learn. I’ll fucking learn.
Now it’s the next day—Sunday—and I’m at the office like an idiot. Staring at spreadsheets I’m not reading. Waiting for a phone call I’m not getting.
Cece said she was doing better today. That she had plans with Vi before Vi flies back to Kingston soon. Which means Cece won’t be alone for the day. So, technically, I shouldn’t bethisdistracted.
But I’m still desperately hoping to hear from someone else. The one person who could give me the confirmation I need. The truth I’ve been trying to stitch together for weeks now. If only he’d just hurry the fuck up.
It’s taking too long.
Then I hear it—a knock.
I expect Taewon, possibly coming in to berate me for showing up on a Sunday.
But when I lift my head, I freeze.
