Ryan had always trusted his instincts.40Please respect copyright.PENANAD7wDLdyfev
It's what made him a sharp businessman and an even sharper leader.40Please respect copyright.PENANAlIHLJn7y8a
But lately, it wasn't just boardroom politics bothering him.40Please respect copyright.PENANAhfp491kN34
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.40Please respect copyright.PENANAE9jgqRVVsi
Twice.40Please respect copyright.PENANAtgSxqLAhyy
In places she had no reason to be.
She never approached. Never said a word.40Please respect copyright.PENANAm2DEDvS8Hs
But she was always watching.
Ryan's jaw clenched.40Please respect copyright.PENANAnclDT4VIir
He hit pause. Screenshot. Saved.40Please respect copyright.PENANASnxJ2ilX41
Then he stood up.
"No more waiting."
That night, he drove to Samantha's house unannounced.40Please respect copyright.PENANAHnh7qfY0Bk
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:40Please respect copyright.PENANAH7FX8dQXDh
One to Private Security.40Please respect copyright.PENANAMkqbBAKzYQ
One to Legal Affairs.
Samantha would be protected. Watched. Guarded.
He wasn't taking chances.40Please respect copyright.PENANAYm3ZXzSxpi
Not again.
But elsewhere in the city...40Please respect copyright.PENANAq5Hg5p9HMl
Trina was reading an email.
It was a reply.40Please respect copyright.PENANAMaU61FLa8L
From an anonymous PR handler.40Please respect copyright.PENANAT5RM8oL3NQ
One she paid to publish something under a fake tip-off.
"Article goes live in 48 hours. Your name stays clean."40Please respect copyright.PENANABXlTNJqGhJ
"Do you want to remain anonymous?"
Trina smiled.
"Absolutely."
And so, the stage was set.40Please respect copyright.PENANAK009n1kRBv
One man protecting.40Please respect copyright.PENANAdf9Q9d57Ux
One woman plotting.40Please respect copyright.PENANA46hJnCNLcR
And one storm just waiting to break.
40Please respect copyright.PENANATtBifprKDr