The tension inside the Steel residence had become unbearable, but for once, it wasn’t directed at Alex alone. The moment she told Luca about the possibility of a traitor within the company, something shifted between them. The coldness that had grown like frost on glass finally cracked. Luca didn’t doubt her, didn’t brush it off. He took it seriously. And that—despite the chaos—was the one thing that made Alex feel less alone.
“We can’t let your mother know,” Luca said firmly, sifting through a thick stack of employee files in his study. “She doesn’t need more stress. Not in her state.”
“I know,” Alex murmured, flipping open another file. “That’s why I’m telling you, not her.”
Luca looked up at her from behind his desk. For the first time in days, he didn’t look like a businessman or a grieving husband. Just a father. “It has to be someone with access to confidential material. High clearance. A regular staff member couldn’t have known about our partnership with Hale Enterprise—let alone the marriage contract.”
Alex nodded, the words echoing her own thoughts. “Someone from the inside. Someone close.”
He hesitated before continuing. “And it could be someone from Zade’s side too. We share this contract. They might’ve leaked it.”
She winced at the thought. Contacting Zade again wasn’t exactly what she wanted to do. But Luca was right. This wasn’t just about pride anymore—this was about protecting their legacy.
So, even though her chest burned at the idea, she found herself pulling up the address on her phone once more. The Hale mansion. The gates loomed like stone giants as she approached, her steps echoing against the smooth tiles of the front path. She rang the bell. A janitor answered, blinking in surprise, then silently stepped aside to let her in.
Alex waited in the main hall, anxiety chewing at her spine.
“Didn’t I tell you never to come back here?” a sharp voice cut across the space.
Andrea Hale.
He stood by the stairwell, arms folded, gaze dripping with disdain. Alex didn’t even flinch this time.
“I’m not here for you,” she said coolly. “I need to speak with Zade. Business.”
Andrea’s laugh was short and venomous. “Business? That’s adorable. Maybe you should stick to what women do best: serving tea and smiling pretty. Not pretending you matter in deals that are out of your depth.”
Alex’s jaw tightened. “And maybe you should stop hiding behind your last name and learn some manners. Misogyny isn’t impressive—it’s just pathetic.”
He stepped closer, eyes flashing. “Careful how you speak in this house, little girl—”
“Back off,” Zade’s voice cut through the growing tension like a blade. He stood at the top of the stairs, staring down at them. “Andrea, go.”
Andrea glared but didn’t argue. He turned and disappeared into another hallway.
Zade descended with the silence of a shadow. “What the hell were you thinking, arguing with him?”
“I wasn’t going to let him insult me and my work,” Alex snapped.
Zade didn’t respond. He just opened the doors to his study and gestured her inside.
She entered, her spine straight, her voice calm. “We have a problem. Someone leaked the contract. Not just the pictures or the event gossip—but the actual documents.”
Zade shut the door behind him and leaned against it. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve already confirmed it. Only a few people had access—so either someone on my side is playing games or someone on yours is.”
He didn’t react with surprise. In fact, he looked like he’d already been expecting it.
“I need your help,” she admitted, her voice quiet. “If this gets worse, Steel Corp could face legal trouble or lose investors. We need to find the traitor.”
Zade nodded once. “Fine. Let’s start with your documents.”
They moved to the desk, combing through physical and digital files. Alex’s fingers were tight on the mouse as she scrolled through emails, shared drives, and scanned documents.
“Nothing strange so far,” she murmured.
Zade reviewed his own printed files. “Same here.”
Then, he turned to her. “You’re looking too far. Try closer.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It’s someone personal. Someone who knows your life. Your patterns. Not just the contracts. Someone like... Brenda.”
Alex’s head snapped up. “What? Are you serious?”
“You two were close. She had access to you, your schedule. Maybe more.”
“You don’t know anything about her.”
“I know she was the only one you kept close before all this,” Zade said smoothly. “The perfect candidate to exploit your trust.”
Before Alex could open her mouth and say something more, Zade leaned forward, his tone a little lower, his gaze a little sharper. Alex shivered under the look of those icy-blue eyes.
“Or maybe someone even closer... How about Michael?”
“Shut up,” Alex said sharply. “Brenda wouldn’t do that. She’s not like you. She has morals.”
Zade only shrugged. “Suit yourself. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when it all falls apart.”
Alex stood. “Mind your own staff, Zade. That’s your territory. Mine’s clean.”
Zade leaned back against the desk, unconvinced.
She didn’t wait for him to argue. She turned on her heel, walking out without another word. As she passed the hallway, she shot Andrea a glare sharp enough to slice stone. He watched her with a smug smirk, but Alex didn’t flinch. Not this time.
She had work to do—and someone was going to pay for betraying her family.