Moris leaned against the kitchen counter, studying Sarah with an expression that revealed nothing. Isabel, on the other hand, made no effort to hide her suspicion.
"You expect us to believe you suddenly grew a conscience?" Isabel crossed her arms. "Forgive me if I find that hard to believe."
Sarah let out a small, humorless chuckle. "I don't blame you. But I know Julian, and I know how he operates. He won't stop until Moris is completely destroyed." She turned to him. "You need me."
Moris tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp. "And what do you get out of this?"
Sarah didn't hesitate. "A second chance."
At that, Isabel scoffed. "You don't deserve one."
Sarah met her glare, but her voice remained even. "You're right. I don't. But I also don't intend to be collateral damage when Julian decides he's done playing fair."
Moris finally moved, setting his untouched coffee aside. "You said he's not working alone. Who else is involved?"
Sarah hesitated for a fraction of a second. "Vivienne Langley."
The name sent a cold current through the air. Isabel sucked in a breath. Even Moris's expression darkened.
"Vivienne?" Isabel repeated. "Are you serious?"
Moris's mind flashed back to his past encounters with Vivienne Langley. A master manipulator, brilliant, ruthless—and once, someone he almost trusted.
If Julian had brought her in, this wasn't just business anymore. It was war.
The Woman in the Shadows
Vivienne Langley stood in Julian's private study, scrolling through a tablet. She looked effortlessly composed, her dark eyes scanning pages of financial data and business projections.
Julian watched her. "Well?"
She didn't look up. "He's planning something small. Something lean." She clicked her tongue. "Smart."
Julian smirked. "Moris was always annoyingly good at adapting."
Vivienne finally met his gaze. "That's why we need to hit him where it hurts. Not just his finances, Julian." She set the tablet down. "His people."
Julian leaned forward. "You have a plan."
She smiled. "Of course I do."
The Meeting Before the Storm
Moris, Isabel, and Sarah sat in silence, the weight of their conversation settling over them.
"So what's the plan?" Sarah asked.
Moris exhaled slowly. "We get ahead of them."
Isabel frowned. "How?"
Moris's phone buzzed before he could answer. He picked it up, scanning the message. His expression hardened.
"What is it?" Isabel asked.
He turned the screen toward them.
It was a news headline.
"Ex-Sinclair Employees Speak Out: 'Moris Abandoned Us.'"
Sarah cursed under her breath. Isabel grabbed her phone and checked other news sources. "This is everywhere."
Moris clenched his jaw. Julian was already moving.
Sarah met his gaze. "Still think you don't need me?"
Moris didn't answer right away. He glanced at Isabel, who looked just as furious as he felt.
Then he turned back to Sarah.
"Let's get to work."