An Offer of Alignment

The words refuse to settle.

The call came from inside Reyes Holdings.

I stare at Adrian’s phone as if the message might change if I look long enough. But it doesn’t. The investigation team’s report remains on the screen.

Call origin traced to internal Reyes Holdings routing hub.

My pulse beats harder.

“That’s impossible,” I say quietly.

Adrian doesn’t respond immediately. “Is it?” he asks.

I look up sharply. “You think someone inside your company tried to run me off the road?”

“I think someone inside the building used our network.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

“No.”

“But it narrows the field.”

The room feels colder suddenly.

“How narrow?” I ask.

Adrian picks up the phone again. “Daniel’s team is tracing which internal access point routed the call.”

“How many people have access to those systems?”

“Hundreds.”

“That’s not narrow.”

“It will be.”

“How?”

“Security badge logs.”

The realization creeps slowly into place.

“You’re checking who was in the building that night.”

“Yes.”

“And comparing it to who had the ability to route a call through the system.”

“Yes.”

I exhale slowly. “So someone used your company’s infrastructure to cover their tracks.”

“Correct.”

“Which means they’re smart.”

“Yes.”

“And close.”

Another quiet yes.

My stomach tightens again.

“Why would someone inside Reyes Holdings want to hurt me?”

“There are several possibilities.”

“Corporate leverage.”

“Yes.”

“Board control.”

“Yes.”

“Or personal motives.”

“Yes.”

The last option sits uneasily in my chest.

Before I can ask another question, my phone vibrates on the desk.

The screen lights up.

Marcus Dela Torre.

The name hits like a stone dropped into water. Ripples spread instantly through the room.

Adrian notices the screen. His expression doesn’t change.

“Answer it,” he says calmly.

I hesitate.

“He knows you’re back in the public eye,” Adrian adds. “Ignoring him won’t stop that.”

I inhale slowly and swipe to accept the call.

“Marcus.”

His voice comes through smooth and familiar.

“Alessa.”

The sound of my name in his voice pulls at something deep inside my memory. A familiarity I can’t quite place.

“You’ve been busy today,” he continues.

“That’s one way to describe it.”

“I saw the board meeting footage.”

Of course he did. Financial reporters must be replaying it everywhere by now.

“You handled yourself well,” he says.

“Thank you.”

“But the situation around you is escalating.”

“Yes.”

“And Reyes Holdings isn’t exactly known for protecting its weak links.”

My jaw tightens slightly. “I’m not a weak link.”

“I know that,” Marcus says gently. “But markets don’t operate on personal truth.”

I glance briefly at Adrian. He’s leaning against the desk now, arms folded, watching me without interrupting.

“What do you want, Marcus?”

A soft chuckle. “Direct as always.”

“You didn’t call to compliment my boardroom posture.”

“No.”

“So why did you call?”

There’s a pause. Then Marcus says something that makes my chest tighten.

“I want to help you.”

Silence fills the room.

“With what?” I ask carefully.

“With what’s coming.”

My fingers curl slightly around the phone. “And what exactly is coming?”

“Pressure,” he says. “From the board. From the media. From investors who don’t like uncertainty.”

“I’m aware.”

“Yes,” Marcus says softly. “But you’re still underestimating how aggressive they’ll become.”

I glance at Adrian again. His expression remains unreadable.

“What are you proposing?” I ask.

Marcus doesn’t hesitate. “An alliance.”

The word lands heavily.

“With you?” I ask.

“With Valez Urban Development.”

My stomach tightens. “My father’s company.”

“Yes.”

“That’s convenient.”

“It’s practical.”

“Explain.”

“You step away from Reyes Holdings temporarily,” Marcus says smoothly. “Join Valez as a consulting architect while the situation stabilizes.”

The room feels suddenly very quiet.

“And in return?” I ask.

“We protect your reputation.”

I almost laugh. “You mean you control the narrative.”

“Same outcome.”

“Not the same method.”

Marcus’s voice softens slightly. “Alessa… you don’t remember the last five years.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“You also don’t remember how brutal the Reyes board can be.”

“I just watched them.”

“That was mild.”

I feel Adrian’s attention sharpen slightly beside me.

“What makes you think I’d leave my husband’s company?” I ask.

Marcus’s answer is calm. “Because you might not trust him.”

The words slice through the air.

My chest tightens.

“Adrian has protected you for years,” Marcus continues. “But protection and control can look very similar.”

I glance at Adrian again. He doesn’t react. Doesn’t interrupt. Just watches.

“You’re implying something,” I say.

“I’m suggesting caution.”

“And joining VALEZ would remove that concern?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because there you’d have your father’s protection.”

“And yours.”

“Yes.”

The familiarity in his voice tugs at something in my chest again. But something else pushes harder now. Suspicion.

“Marcus,” I say quietly.

“Yes?”

“Were you involved in the SUV incident?”

The line goes silent for two full seconds. Then he exhales softly.

“No.”

“You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

“Because the vehicle belonged to Valez Urban Development.”

Another pause.

“I know.”

“So explain that.”

“I can’t.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“I’m aware.”

I glance at Adrian again. His gaze hasn’t left my face.

“Your offer,” I say slowly.

“Yes?”

“I’m declining.”

Marcus exhales quietly. “I expected you might.”

“Then why make it?”

“Because circumstances change.”

“And if they do?”

“My offer will remain open.”

His voice softens again. “You don’t remember everything, Alessa. But some people in your life haven’t changed.”

“Goodnight, Marcus.”

I end the call before he can say anything else.

The silence in Adrian’s office returns instantly.

“What do you think?” I ask.

Adrian studies me for a moment. “I think Marcus just made his first strategic move.”

“You think he’s involved?”

“I think he’s positioning himself.”

“For what?”

“For the moment when you start doubting me.”

The blunt honesty makes my chest tighten.

“You don’t sound worried.”

“I’m not.”

“Why?”

Adrian steps closer.

Because I don’t think he expected what happens next.

I reach out and place my hand lightly on his sleeve. The contact surprises both of us.

“I’m not doubting you,” I say quietly.

For a moment Adrian says nothing.

Then his phone vibrates again. Another message from Daniel.

Adrian glances at the screen. His expression shifts instantly.

“What is it?” I ask.

“They finished the badge log analysis.”

My pulse quickens. “And?”

Adrian turns the phone toward me.

One name is highlighted in the report.

ACCESS USED – 1:42 AM

LEVEL 32 NETWORK HUB

My breath catches.

Because Level 32 is the executive floor.

And the name beneath it is someone I recognize.

Someone who sat in the boardroom earlier that day.

Adrian’s voice lowers.

“The person who routed the call…” He looks at me carefully.

“…was inside the meeting this morning.”