Chapter 26
vui, little boge. Somut delda ami only be paid in blood. Give
regards to holde,”
The test Dom last night banned in my mum
I donggest my exhausted body into my apartment,
to us was feeding information to Rachel.
ely slept since serling it–time
After om natto escape Jim Palmer a trap in Culesado,
meguntain lion on the trail, and the frantic flight back to New York, I hoped for a moment’s
Instead, I was flown tight back into Raclurt’s paychiological warfare.
My ankle Hisobbed as I collapsed to the coach, muscles screaming from me desperate flight down the mountain.
Six years cumming from Robert, asd now |
spaare one–hunted, but by a predator who knew all my weal
raknesses and none of his limitations.
My phone rang, jolting me upright. I grabbed it willest checking the caller 11), my nerves too frayed for caution.
“Hello?” My sewer was sandpaper rough,
“Sage” just heating Caspian say my name sent electricity racing down my spine, “Palmer’s making moves. Emergency Board meeting. My agent just called with a matning
I snapped into lawyer minde, fatigue momentarily forgotten. “We need to meet. Tonight.”
Morgan Wright at Bar? Serity’s already checking t
Il be there!
After we hung up, the apartment silence pressed in like a physical weight.
alid doses to the kitchen foot, lagging my knees to my chest, when my phone vibrated with a text from an unknown number
Dad might be in jail, but we’re not done, little girl, Miss me:
Rachel’s game was clear–using Robert’s initial to keep the psychological torture going,
Before I could
a violent knock cattled my dut, sending me sembling to my feet with my heart in my throat,
I grabbed a heary paperweight from my desk and peered through the prephole.
Not Rachel or Robert, but something almost
errifying- a pack of reporters crowding my hallway with cameras and microphones.
I yanked the door open, immediately blinded by flashes.
Sage Winters! What’s your relationship with Caspian Drake?” they shouted, wo
voices inverlapping in a predatory chorus
“How did you find out where I live?” I demanded, clutching the paperweight behind my back.
A blonde reporter thrust her microphone toward me.
source told us you two knew each other in high school and recently rekindled your romance. Is It
I’m just his attorney,” I said through clenched teeth.
A lanky reporter pruned. “Word is you two had some kind of arrangement in high school? A live hundred a Brienge? (hi unfinished businen?!
Die Booded my
They knew about the bet. Rachel was al
was altrady feeding them my past,
dollar bet? Is that why you’re his lawyer now?
I slammed the door and leaned against it, trembling. The press was just another weapons in Rachels arsenal–one that could destroy both my professional peystation and Casplan’s career
I spent the next few humira paring my apartment, cheskir the window every fifteen minutes to see if the reporters had given up
They hadn
Chapter 26
Instead, their numbers grew. With each passing hour, my anxiety ramped up along with
my
back determination to fight
By three–thirty, I stood in front of my bedroom mirror dressed in my most formal black suit–armor for the battle ahead.
My phone buzzed with Caspian’s message: Already at the office. Security will meet you at the entrance.
I swallowed an anxiety pill, then p
perked through the blinds.
The media crowd had doubled, with TV van
vans now parked outside. This wasn’t just local interest this was national news.
Rachel had made sure of it
Taking a deep b
breath, I grabbed my
briefcase and yanked open the door with the determination of someone walking into battle.
The reporters swa
orters swarmed instantly, questions firing like bullets, cameras flashing like strobe lights.
“Make way!” I pushed through the crowd, elbowing past a reporter who grabbed my arm.
“Caspian said you two have a history, is that true?
I jerked away. “Touch me again and I’m calling the police!”
I barely made it to my car, locking myself inside as lenses pressed against the windows.
Speeding out of the parking lot, I noticed several motorcycles and a news van following.
the water cooler, Olivia Sterling flashed her fake smile.
At Morgan & Wright, colleagues watched me pass, whispering behind their hands. Near the
Our star attorney makes her entrance,” she said sweetly, then lowered her voice. “Watch out for Palmer. He’s been circling all day.”
The warning caught me off guard, but before I could respond. Olivia had sauntered away
I continued to the conference room, where I heard Caspian’s low laugh followed by a woman’s response. Something sharp and unexpected twisted in my chest
I pushed open the door to find Caspian in a tailored navy suit that emphasized every inch of his athletic frame.
Beside him stood Diana Wright and a younger woman I didn’t recognize.
His eyes brightened when he saw me. “Sage.” Just my name, but the way he said carried such relief it made my heart stutter.
“This is Amanda Morris,” he said, gesturing to the younger woman. “Former PR consultant for the Palmer family.”
“Jeffrey Palmer forced me 14 resign because I refused to participate in his illegal activities,” Amunds explained, her expression grim. “Including hiring your stepfather to harass you.”
Diana nodded. “And manipulating team contracts. Amanda has brought evidence.”
Her phone rang, and her face hardened as she checked the screen. “Palmers downstairs with his legal team.”
Amanda a face went pale. “He knows I’m here. I was careful, but—”
“Thats impossible,” Caspian said, voice tight. “No one followed us.”
Danas expression turned calculating. “Unless someone inside Morgan & Wright told him.”
The implication hung in the air for a moment before the conference room door swung open.
Jeffrey Palmer strode in, immaculate in his tailored suit, every inch the billionaire team owner.
Victoria followed, her perfect features twisted with malice as she glared at me
tent what made my
Standing in the doorway behind them was Rachel Miller, elegant as a knife blade and twice as dangerous.
Chapter 26
Her
T eyes–so much like Roberts it made my stomach clench–locked onto mine with predatory focus
“How touching,” she said, voice like silk over broken n glass. The quarterback and his lawyer girlfriend plotting together. Just like old times, right Sage?
serious mistake.”
Her gaze shifted to Amanda. “And you. Did you really think we wouldnt find out about the files you took? That was a serious
Diana stepped forward. “This is a private meeting. Mr. Palmer. You weren’t invited.”
Palmer’s smile never reached his eyes. “Oh, but we have something you need to see.”
e set a manila folder on the table, sliding it toward me. Before you continue whatever misguided crusade you’re on.”
He
Rachels lips curved into a smile that sent ice down my spine. “Open it, little sister. It’s time we finished what
Daddy started.”
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how in the world could she go back to a destroyed apartment. no mention of it being repainted, furniture being replaced, etc. is author even aware of what sho’s writing?
where is sage’s mother in all of this?
