LOGINKENDRICKIt was Saturday afternoon, and I sat in my home office with my laptop open. The house was unusually quiet without Nalani hovering around me, which was exactly what I needed for a few hours. I spent most of the morning dealing with company matters, but my mind kept drifting back to the Nikolai case.The more my team uncovered, the less straightforward everything became. I put my phone on speaker, as Matthew went through the latest findings.“We've found something else,” he said.I twirled my pen, focused. “What did you find?”“There was another device connected to the network shortly before the transactions were made. We've traced part of its activity, and it doesn't match anything we've previously associated with Nikolai.”My expression sharpened. “Are you sure?”“Yes. We're still verifying everything, but the evidence could help establish that Nikolai wasn't the person operating the system.”I sat forward. “That could be important.”“It is. If we can establish the chain pro
YULIAI sat comfortably in the passenger seat while Adeline drove through the busy London streets. “We're almost there,” Adeline said.“Great. I desperately need this.”Taking advantage of my day off, I was headed to the salon to snip a few ends and switch up my hairstyle. I needed something that made me feel refreshed.Hair, nails, and a few hours of pampering with my best friend.“I know. Your hair has been begging for attention.”I touched the ends of my hair. “I was thinking of cutting it slightly.”“Finally.”I laughed. “I knew you'd agree.”“Of course. You've been talking about cutting it for weeks.”I opened my mouth to respond, but my phone began ringing.My stomach fluttered at the sight of Kendrick’s name displayed on the screen.“I know you're going to answer that,” Adeline stated, peeking at the screen. “See her blushing.”I tried not to smile. “I am not.”The phone continued ringing.“Just answer him,” she blurted, laughing.“Fine.” I slid the green icon, and his voice
KENDRICKI had arrived at the restaurant nearly twenty minutes early, looking forward to seeing Yulia all day. And the closer it got to seven, the more impatient I became.I checked my phone for the tenth time, waiting in the private room until the door finally opened. A staff member stepped inside first. “Mr. Fernsby, Miss Yulia has arrived.”I stood instantly as Yulia came into view.My eyes moved over her without permission.She looked pretty. Her outfit struck the perfect balance between elegant and effortless, completely commanding my attention. When her eyes met mine, I could still see the same Peaches I'd known years ago.She scanned the private room and smiled. “You didn't close it down this time, huh?”I chuckled. “I just needed a private room this time.”She raised an eyebrow. “Convenient.”“I learned my lesson.”She laughed softly and walked farther into the room.I picked up the flowers I'd arranged earlier and held them out to her. “These are for you.”“Awww.” She accep
YULIAKendrick placed the final document on the table and leaned back in his chair. “This is the part that concerns me.”I looked down at the document. His team’s new findings contradicted the previous hearing's evidence. They discovered digital trail inconsistencies, unusual access patterns, and falsified records designed to make it look like Nikolai authorized the transactions.I exchanged a look with Harrison.He slowly nodded. “That changes things.”“It does,” Kendrick said. “We still don't know who was behind it, but we're certain some of the activity attributed to Nikolai didn't originate from his known devices.”Harrison picked up one of the documents. “This is good.”Kendrick raised an eyebrow. “Yes. And I’ve let Alexander’s team know.”Harrison then explained. “If someone used Nikolai's credentials without using his devices, it strengthens our argument that the evidence against him isn't as straightforward as the prosecution claims.”He cut his eyes at me. “We can present t
KENDRICK“WHAT?”Yulia's shocked voice didn't surprise me.I had expected it.She watched me as if I'd just told her I'd sold my entire company overnight. I could see questions forming in her eyes, but she seemed too stunned to ask.“What about your daughter?” she finally asked.“Nalani has nothing to do with this, but I’ll always be her father.”“She deserves a stable family.”“She deserves parents who are honest with each other,” I replied quietly. “And Natalie and I haven't been that for a long time.”Yulia looked back at me. “You've thought about this?”“Yes. I thought about it last year. I've thought about it every time Natalie and I sat across from each other at dinner and had nothing to say.”Something shifted in Yulia's eyes. “But you stayed.”“I did.”“Why?”Nalani and my mother.Those were the reasons I had stayed. Instead, I said. “I told myself it was easier to stay, for everyone.”Yulia folded her arms. “And now?”“Now I don't believe that anymore.”She stared at me. I c
YULIABy Saturday night, I was already questioning why I'd agreed to attend.I stood in front of my mirror, taking one last look at myself in my black gown. The charity event was being held at The Dorchester, and Adeline had insisted I dress up because, according to her, “charity events are still social events, and you can't show up looking like you just left the office.” I had laughed when she said it, but now, standing in a fitted black dress with my hair falling loosely around my shoulders, I understood exactly what she meant.I grabbed my clutch and headed downstairs.A few minutes later, as I stepped into the event hall, I understood why Adeline had been so excited. The room was beautifully decorated with soft lights, tall floral arrangements, elegant tables, and photographs from the children's programmes the charity supported. It felt warm rather than overly formal, and for a moment, I was glad I'd come.“Yulia!”I spun around as Adeline marched toward me.She threw her arms
KENDRICKI shouldn’t have kissed her. It wasn’t even a kiss worth overthinking—just her cheek, a brief moment of contact that should’ve meant nothing.But it did, and that was the problem.I ruffled my hair, staring blankly at the surveillance analytics displayed across my MacBook’s screen while ab
YULIA“This is it?” I asked, glancing around the parking lot filled with cars. “Yes.” Kendrick parked his car and turned to me. “Ever been to a street race?”I shook my head wildly, speechless all of a sudden. His expression barely changed, but his eyes said otherwise . “Then prepare yourself. Yo
KENDRICK“What were they thinking, letting her live with you?” Victor asked, leaning back lazily in the chair across from my desk like he owned the space.“Safety.” I shrugged, flipping through the folder in front of me without bothering to look up. “Apparently, her father thinks London will collap
YULIA“We’re almost there, baby girl.” My father watched me as I angled towards the side window, lost in my thoughts.“I still can’t believe you eloped and got married.” I glanced at him, and he was smiling.“Well… I can’t be single forever. I’m ready to settle down and spend the rest of my life wi







