While Leander sat in his office, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk, his mind was focused on running over the events of the past few days. Yet, Dorian had pushed him too far. The constant accusations, the lies, and the betrayal had worn thin. It was time to settle things once and for all. He knew Dorian was a man full of pride, and Leander was determined to shatter that today.The door creaked open, and his assistant poked her head in. “Mr. Goldstein, Dorian’s here. Should I send him in?”Leander nodded, keeping his expression calm. “Let him in.”Dorian walked in with a stiff posture, his face trying to hide the tension, but it was clear in the way his jaw tightened and his eyes flickered around the room, avoiding Leander’s direct gaze. He sat down across from Leander, trying to look composed, but his shoulders were tense."You wanted to see me?" Dorian asked, his voice lacking its usual confidence.Leander leaned forward, locking eyes with Dorian. "Yes. We need to clear the air

Leander drove in silence, his hands steady on the wheel, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the air between him and Yvonne. Yvonne sat quietly in the passenger seat, her arms crossed loosely, looking out the window. The earlier excitement from the island had faded, replaced by a quiet tension that Leander could feel but didn’t address. After a while, Yvonne turned toward him, breaking the silence. “Leander, I’ve been thinking.” Her voice was soft but carried an edge of uncertainty.Leander glanced at her briefly before focusing back on the road. “About what?”She hesitated, clearly trying to gather her thoughts. “About today. About the island, everything. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it was amazing, but…” She paused, searching for the right words. “Why did you take me there?”Leander didn’t respond immediately, the question hanging in the air between them. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, not out of anger, but because he knew Yvonne would eventually ask. It wasn

Leander clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The weight of everything seemed to press down on him—the investigation, the rumors, the doubt creeping into his own inner circle. It was suffocating, but he couldn’t let himself break. Not now. Not ever. He handed the tablet back to Elaine, his expression hardening.“Get the legal team in here now,” Leander ordered, his voice sharp.Elaine hesitated for a moment before nodding and quickly stepping out of the room. Leander’s eyes drifted to the city skyline outside his office window. How had things spiraled so far out of control? Everything he had worked for was hanging in the balance because of a few forged documents and an orchestrated attack by someone desperate enough to see him fall.As the minutes passed, Leander remained motionless, his mind racing with possibilities. If Dorian thought he could win this, he had clearly underestimated Leander’s resolve. There was no way he would lose his legacy without a fight.

After their serious discussion about Leander’s challenges, she invited both Leander and Wyatt to stay for dinner. It was an informal meal in comparison to the royal events she was used to, but that was the point. Brianna wanted them to feel comfortable, even though the weight of their earlier conversation still lingered.The dining room was lit with soft, warm lighting, creating a calm atmosphere that contrasted with the tension from before. The table was modestly set, but the food that arrived was anything but. Plates of fresh seafood, roasted vegetables, and rich sauces filled the air with delicious aromas. Alyssa excused herself after a brief meal, leaving the three of them to talk more freely.Wyatt broke the silence as they started eating. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting a royal dinner tonight. This is fantastic.”Brianna smiled, her eyes moving between Wyatt and Leander. “I thought it would be nice to relax a little. After all, we have a lot of work ahead of us. It’s better

Leander adjusted his tie as he stepped out of the venue. The air was cool, and the city lights shimmered in the distance. He felt a strange mix of relief and satisfaction after the night’s events. The Innovator’s Legacy Award had caught him off guard, but it was a moment that he’d remember for a long time.As he made his way to the black sedan parked at the curb, Wyatt, who was walking beside him, nudged him with a grin. “That was something else, huh? Camila’s face was priceless.”Leander smirked. “She deserved it.”They got into the car, the interior quiet, the buzz of the evening slowly fading away. Leander leaned back into the leather seat, still processing the events when Wyatt’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his expression shifting slightly.“Leander, you might want to know this,” Wyatt said, handing over the phone.Leander took it, reading the message. It was from one of Wyatt’s contacts, someone who had been keeping an eye on Dorian lately. The text was brief but to the point