Page 100 of Hard Knot

Felix seems equally invested, though he expresses it differently. His defense of her is more logical, more focused on exposing the system's hypocrisy. But there's an undercurrent of genuine care in his voice that sets my teeth on edge.

Holmes, though... Holmes is a problem.

His silence speaks volumes. Even without seeing his eyes, I can sense his resistance. Whether it stems from genuine disapproval or simple stubbornness doesn't matter.

Anyone not actively supporting Elizabeth makes my list.

Phillips's voice pulls me from my thoughts as he outlines their "options" for Elizabeth's future. Each word feeds the fire building inside me.

Laboratory services.

Alternative placement.

Sex trafficking dressed up in bureaucratic language.

My fingers curl into fists as I listen to him casually discuss Elizabeth's fate like he's arranging a business merger rather than condemning someone to slavery or death.

Oh, I have plans for you, Phillips.

Firing him would be too quick, too clean.

No, he deserves something more... creative.

Something that will make him understand exactly what it feels like to be at the mercy of those with power over you.

When Elizabeth finally enters the room, her voice carrying that familiar edge of defiance, it takes everything in me not to immediately reveal myself.

I want —need— to see how this plays out.

Her strength amazes me. Even after overhearing her own death sentence being discussed, she maintains that fierce independence that first drew me to her even before Harvard.

The way she stands up to Phillips, to Victoria, to the entire corrupt system — it only confirms what I've always known.

She's meant for more than this.

The moment Phillips mentions the dismissal papers, I know it's time to act.

"390 points should be enough, yes?"

The surge of Alpha energy I release as I enter the room is deliberately overwhelming — a show of force that has Victoria practically cowering in the corner.

Good. Let them feel what real power is like.

"Who..." Victoria manages to a whimper, "Who exactly are you?"

Watching Phillips scramble to bow, to apologize for a scheduling conflict I deliberately engineered, brings a dark satisfaction.

"Mr. Morrison," he stammers, "I apologize! Your appointment wasn't scheduled until later this afternoon?—"

"The Morrison Empire," I cut him off, already tired of whatever bullshit excuse he’s trying pull, "doesn't operate onyourschedule. And the last time I checked, I'm here to finalize the official ownership documents of Knot Academy that were approved by myself and my fellow founders."

Watching Eli’s eyes widen in surprise gives me a hint of delight because I’m sure she’s not only surprised to see me but she’s unaware of how things have changed in my power dynamic.

How my alpha status has grown exponentially in the realms of hierarchy, just as swiftly as my bank account.

"What does that mean?" I hear Eli whisper.

I can’t help but look down at her, smiling menacingly like a predator who’s found his prey. I know from the way her eyes are dilating that she isn’t “frightened” by me.

---