"Why does it feel like every step forward costs me another piece of myself?" Alex muttered, staring at the rain streaking down the massive windows of his penthouse. The question lingered in the air, heavy with frustration and exhaustion.
The storm outside mirrored the chaos within him. The brief moment of relief he felt after exposing Evelyn's latest scheme had vanished, replaced by a gnawing sense of unease. It wasn't over—not even close. His phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with Sarah's name.
"Alex," Sarah's voice was tense. "We have a problem."
Alex straightened, the weight of her tone sinking in. "What happened?"
"It's about the construction deal with Northside Developments. Evelyn's people are claiming fraud, saying you faked the permits. They've already tipped off the authorities."
For a moment, Alex couldn't breathe. Fraud? Permits? This wasn't just a professional attack—it could ruin him personally.
