Ryan had always trusted his instincts.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNMU3SJSsH
It's what made him a sharp businessman and an even sharper leader.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRRsgMMKxH
But lately, it wasn't just boardroom politics bothering him.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRPJYI4p7p
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.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rvuhwtKHF
Twice.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgkDJyVBtS
In places she had no reason to be.
She never approached. Never said a word.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOrLCsblMX
But she was always watching.
Ryan's jaw clenched.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYQjRAIJyh
He hit pause. Screenshot. Saved.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuNAyDMV4d
Then he stood up.
"No more waiting."
That night, he drove to Samantha's house unannounced.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2txAV6z6ri
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:39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWyeksMSWa
One to Private Security.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte1GUzZBMh
One to Legal Affairs.
Samantha would be protected. Watched. Guarded.
He wasn't taking chances.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7QOn373Mq
Not again.
But elsewhere in the city...39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTvXVjfOxr
Trina was reading an email.
It was a reply.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFN8m4vbDk
From an anonymous PR handler.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4jzUhLgby
One she paid to publish something under a fake tip-off.
"Article goes live in 48 hours. Your name stays clean."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk4usX0RPH
"Do you want to remain anonymous?"
Trina smiled.
"Absolutely."
And so, the stage was set.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbRDMrWtz1
One man protecting.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ406j7I7YHY
One woman plotting.39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7mx2juwiB
And one storm just waiting to break.
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnzhb5aynl
