CHAPTER 66

Jessica felt a heavy weight settle in her chest as her father’s hand rested on her shoulder. The warmth of his touch was a stark contrast to the coldness in his eyes, and she knew that she had just stepped into a world from which there might be no return. She had convinced him, for now, but she knew better than to believe that Andrew Lane would ever fully trust anyone—not even his own daughter.

“Thank you, Father,” Jessica said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. She stood up, mirroring his movements, and tried to match the same confidence in her posture. “I won’t let you down.”

Andrew’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “See that you don’t. There’s much work to be done, and I’ll be expecting results soon.”

Jessica nodded. “Of course.”

Andrew turned away from her, his attention shifting back to the papers on his desk, dismissing her as if the conversation had never happened. Jessica took that as her cue to leave. She walked out of the study, her footsteps echoing in the empty