Page 18 of Falling for the Grump Billionaire

“Wait here,” he says curtly, dialing a number.

The seconds stretch like hours, each one amplifying the pounding of my heart. Behind me, the guards shift subtly, their presence a constant reminder that I’m treading on thin ice.

Finally, the receptionist hangs up. “Mr. Kane will see you. Take the elevator to the top floor.”

Relief washes over me, mingled with a fresh wave of nerves. I nod, murmuring a quick thank you before heading to the elevators. The ride up is silent except for the soft hum of machinery. My reflection stares back at me in the mirrored walls, and for a moment, I don’t recognize myself.

I look tired. Frayed. Determined.

The elevator chimes softly as it reaches the top floor, the doors sliding open to reveal a sprawling office space bathed in warm, understated lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the city, the glittering skyline stretching as far as the eye can see.

Dominic Kane stands near the windows, his silhouette sharp against the backdrop of lights. He doesn’t turn as I step into the room, my heels muffled by the plush carpet.

“You have an interesting way of requesting a meeting, Ms. Stone,” he says, his voice calm but edged with something I can’t quite place.

I square my shoulders, forcing myself to stand tall. “I didn’t think you’d respond to an email,” I reply. “And I needed answers.”

At that, he turns, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. The intensity of his gaze is enough to make me falter, but I hold my ground.

“Answers about what?” he asks, his tone unreadable.

“About the leaks,” I say. “About whoever’s trying to destroy your company. About why they’re watching me.”

For a moment, his expression doesn’t change. Then something flickers behind his eyes—an emotion too quick to name. Concern? Frustration?

“Watching you?” he repeats, his voice quieter now. “What do you mean?”

I pull out my phone, my fingers swiping through the gallery until I find the photos. Holding the screen out toward him, I take a step closer.

“They sent these to me tonight,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “They’ve been following me. They broke into my apartment, erased my files, and left me a message.”

Dominic takes the phone from my hand, his movements measured. He studies the photos in silence, his gaze narrowing slightly with each one.

“What message?” he asks, his tone sharper now.

I hesitate for only a second before meeting his gaze. “They said, ‘I warned you.’”

For the first time, his expression cracks. It’s subtle—a flicker of something dark and dangerous—but it’s enough to send a chill down my spine.

“You should have stayed out of this,” he says, his voice low.

“And you should stop pretending you don’t know what’s going on,” I snap, taking another step forward. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like someone is trying to destroy everything you’ve built. And now, they’re dragging me into it.”

His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t immediately respond. Instead, he turns back toward the window, his hands clasped behind his back. The silence stretches, heavy and charged.

Finally, he speaks. “If they’ve targeted you, it’s because you’re close to something. Too close.”

My pulse quickens. “What am I close to?”

Dominic glances over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. “That’s what we need to find out.”

The weight of his words sinks in as I stand there, my heart hammering in my chest. “We”? The last thing I expected was for Dominic Kane to admit he needs me as much as I need him.

“You’re saying I’ve uncovered something,” I say carefully, trying to piece together his meaning. “Something you don’t even know about?”

Dominic’s lips press into a thin line. “It’s not a matter of what. It’s a matter of who. These leaks aren’t just corporate sabotage—they’re personal. Someone with access to my company. My life.”

“An insider,” I murmur, my mind racing. Caldwell’s warnings, the erased files, the cryptic messages—they all start to align.

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