The morning after their almost-silent exchange, Evelyn barely slept. She could still feel the heat of Wolfe's gaze, the unspoken something that passed between them. But more than that, she could feel a crack forming—not just in her, but in him too.
She arrived early, her hair pulled back tighter than usual, her blouse a shade colder. Armor.
He was already in the conference room, surrounded by files. But he didn't acknowledge her.
Not even a glance.
She cleared her throat. "I traced the funding back to two departments—Legal and Acquisitions. Someone's laundering discretionary spending through old project budgets."
Still no reaction.
"Sir?"
"Leave the file," he said curtly, without looking up.
Evelyn felt something inside her tighten. She set the folder down and turned to leave, but paused at the door.
"You can't unring a bell, Mr. Wolfe."
That made him look up. Sharp. Dangerous.
"And what bell did you think you rang?"
Evelyn met his gaze. "The one you heard last night. Don't pretend it didn't sound."
The silence between them roared louder than any shout.
---
She spent the rest of the day in the data center with Malik, a senior systems analyst who looked like a DJ but coded like a ghost. Together, they traced the shell companies linked to Rhys.
"I don't get it," Malik muttered. "Why would someone inside your own company risk that kind of exposure?"
"Maybe they think they're safe," Evelyn said. "Or maybe they think Wolfe isn't watching."
She returned to her desk to find a handwritten note.
"9:00 PM. 91st floor. Do not be late."
There was no name. No signature. But she knew who it was from.
---
At exactly 9:00 p.m., she stepped onto the 91st floor—an unfinished level, raw concrete and scaffolding where the tower's future expansion had been paused.
He stood near the edge, looking out into the dark skyline.
"This is where I come to think," he said without turning. "Where I remember who I was before the money. Before the tower."
Evelyn stood beside him. "Why bring me here?"
"Because you're part of it now."
He turned to face her. "You found the leak. You proved you're more than clever—you're dangerous. I need dangerous."
"I'm not here to be used."
"No," he said. "You're here to be tested."
She moved closer. "And what happens when I pass every test?"
He didn't smile. "Then you become my equal. And that's the most dangerous position of all."
A long pause.
Then she whispered, "And what if I want more than power?"
This time, he did smile.
"Then you're already in trouble."
He stepped closer, too close.
But before either could speak again, his phone buzzed.
He read the message—and his face changed.
"What is it?" she asked.
He looked at her.
"They moved first," he said. "Rhys made contact with the board."
Evelyn felt her stomach drop.
"So it begins."
Wolfe nodded. "The war for Wolfe Global has started."