004

Rhea

“Running away?” Alec asked.

I swallowed hard, my fingers instinctively tightening around the strap of my handbag.

What on earth am I supposed to say?

After everything that happened last night, every word I could think of sounded stupid.

“No…” I finally answered, though even I could hear how forced and hoarse my voice sounded.

“Good. Have a seat.”

He gestured toward the couch.

I pressed my lips together.

If the ground could just split open and swallow me whole, I’d gladly let it.

Anything was better than standing here, facing the man I’d had a one-night stand with.

Alec calmly walked over and sat down while I remained frozen for a second.

Breathe, Rhea.

You didn’t commit a crime.

It was one reckless night.

You’ll tell him it meant nothing, and that’ll be the end of it.

With that thought, I slowly walked over and sat opposite him.

“Listen…” I began, only to realize he was giving me his full attention.

For some reason, that made me even more nervous.

“What happened last night was a one-time thing. I was drunk and didn’t know what I was doing. It would be best if we both pretend it never happened.”

The words tumbled out so quickly that I wasn’t even sure they made sense.

“Oh?” A faint smile appeared on his face. “I have no intention of doing that.”

I blinked.

Huh?

“Why not?” I asked.

“How do you expect me to forget?” he replied casually. “Am I supposed to erase my memories?”

I bit the inside of my cheek.

This man…

“I have an offer for you.”

An offer?

“What is it?”

“I’m sure you’re aware of your current situation.”

The smile on my face disappeared.

“Your career is already hitting rock bottom. If this continues, you may never work as an architect again.”

Every word felt like someone pressing harder against an open wound.

“Are you mocking me?”

I let out a bitter laugh.

“Of course you’d benefit the most if my career is destroyed. There’d be no one left to compete with you.”

For years, we’d been rivals.

Every major project eventually came down to either Alexander Sinclair or me.

Now…

I’d lost before the competition had even begun.

“I’m not mocking you, Rhea.”

His voice remained calm.

“I’m simply stating the facts.”

“You have nowhere to go.”

“Nothing to fight back with.”

My lips trembled.

He’s right.

And I hate that he’s right.

“My design was perfect.”

I looked him straight in the eyes.

“I still have the original copy. I’ll prove my innocence.”

His expression barely changed.

“Your father already held the press conference.”

My breathing stopped.

“It ended only a few minutes ago.”

“He publicly announced that you’ll take responsibility and resign from Lancaster Group.”

Everything inside me froze.

He actually did it…

Peter really sacrificed me.

And Mom…

She stood there and let him.

A sharp ache spread through my chest.

For one foolish second, I’d hoped she’d stop him.

I stood abruptly.

“I need to leave.”

“What exactly are you going to do?”

His voice followed me.

“Yell at him?”

“Cause a scene?”

“Or drink yourself unconscious again?”

I turned so quickly I almost lost my balance.

Anger burned through every inch of me.

“Don’t you dare look down on me.”

“I’ve never looked down on you.”

He slowly stood and slipped his hands into his pockets.

“I’ll help you clear your name.”

The anger inside me paused.

“I’ll investigate the collapse.”

“I’ll find the evidence.”

“I’ll also give you a job.”

I frowned.

Why?

“What do you want in return?”

A satisfied smile crossed his face.

“Good.”

“We’re finally making progress.”

His next words nearly made me choke.

“You’ll be my girlfriend.”

“What?!”

The word escaped before I could stop it.

“You heard me.”

He said it so casually that I wondered if he had lost his mind.

“Never.”

I folded my arms.

“Not in a million years.”

Is he insane?

“I’m your only option, Rhea.”

His confidence irritated me.

“I have the influence.”

“The resources.”

“And the power to uncover the truth.”

As much as I hated admitting it…

He wasn’t wrong.

If anyone could fight Peter’s influence…

It was Alexander Sinclair.

Still…

This was the same man who had competed against me for nearly every important project throughout my career.

Even the healthcare center.

He almost won that contract.

A painful thought crossed my mind.

If Alexander had gotten that project…

Would the building still be standing today?

I immediately pushed the thought away.

No.

My blueprint was flawless.

I refused to doubt years of my own hard work.

“I already know how to prove my innocence.”

I straightened my shoulders.

“I don’t need your help, Mr. Sinclair.”

I turned toward the door.

“If you change your mind…”

His voice stopped me for only a second.

“You know where to find me.”

I didn’t answer.

If I stayed any longer, I might actually consider his ridiculous proposal.

And that scared me more than I wanted to admit.

I hurried out of the hotel and finally switched my phone back on.

Before I could even dial Ivy’s number, her call came through.

Of course it did.

She’d probably been worried sick.

I climbed into a taxi before answering.

“Where the hell have you been?” she shouted.

I winced.

“In a hotel.”

“I needed some space.”

There was a long sigh on the other end.

“I figured.”

“Did you watch the press conference?”

My chest tightened again.

“No.”

“They’re tearing you apart online.”

“The public wants you to apologize instead of hiding behind your father’s name.”

Every sentence felt like another weight pressing onto my shoulders.

So this is what becoming the country’s villain feels like.

“Did you get the flash drive?” Ivy asked.

“Not yet.”

“I’m heading home now.”

A pause.

“Why didn’t you take it yesterday?”

Images of Darius and Mira flashed across my mind.

I immediately looked out the taxi window.

“Something happened.”

“I’ll explain later.”

“Meet me at my house.”

I ended the call before she could ask more questions.

The taxi soon stopped outside my house.

I paid the driver and walked inside.

Silence.

The same house that once felt like home now felt unfamiliar.

My gaze drifted toward the couch.

Don’t.

But it was too late.

The image of Darius and Mira together replayed inside my head.

I forced myself to look away.

Focus.

The flash drive.

Nothing else matters.

I rushed to my work desk.

It wasn’t there.

I searched every drawer.

Nothing.

I searched again.

Still nothing.

My breathing became uneven.

No…

It has to be here.

I searched my bedroom.

The kitchen.

The bathroom.

The living room.

Even the backyard.

Nothing.

I returned to the desk.

Again.

And again.

The more I searched, the more panic consumed me.

Where is it?

Where did it go?

Please…

It’s my only proof.

Tears blurred my vision.

If I couldn’t find that flash drive…

I wouldn’t just lose my reputation.

I’d lose everything I’d spent years building.

My heartbeat pounded painfully against my chest.

Another wave of dizziness washed over me.

Not again.

My vision blurred.

The familiar pounding behind my eyes returned.

The tumor…

With trembling hands, I reached into my bag for my medication.

I barely managed to pull out the bottle before every ounce of strength drained from my body.

The room spun violently.

No… not now…

My knees gave way beneath me.

Darkness swallowed everything.