Victor Kane had never been one for idle conversation, especially with journalists. They were often prying, opportunistic, and far too eager to dig into matters that didn’t concern them. So when he first encountered Madeline Sinclair—a fiery, ambitious journalist whose work was gaining rapid attention—he instinctively braced himself, ready to fend off the questions he knew would come. Yet, as she approached him, he found himself intrigued in spite of himself.The setting was a high-profile corporate event, one Victor had reluctantly attended to keep up appearances. The grand ballroom was buzzing with influential people, all vying for attention and eager to network. Victor was used to these scenes, the superficial smiles, the empty handshakes, and the way everyone hid their true intentions behind polite conversations. He had nearly managed to slip away when he noticed her.Madeline Sinclair. He’d seen her name in the press, known for her hard-hitting articles on corporate malfeasance an