“The city council just approved our zoning variance,” Julian said, though his expression remained serious. “But we have a rumor coming out of Boston.”

“What kind of rumor?” Margaret asked.

“Adrian Bennett just announced a press conference for Friday,” Julian said. “He’s claiming a major foreign investment will allow him to expand his operations to the Midwest.”

“He’s trying to muscle in on our market,” I said.

“He wants our waterfront project,” Julian said, leaning against the edge of the desk. “He’s telling his board that he can acquire your new structural designs because they’re derivatives of his existing patents.”

I felt a cold knot form in my stomach.

“They aren’t derivatives,” I said. “I redesigned the stress-load formulas from scratch after I left Boston.”

“Adrian doesn’t care about the truth,” Julian said. “He cares about survival. He needs a major win to satisfy his creditors.”

“He doesn’t know the London money is fake,” I said.

Julian looked at me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Are you sure?”

“Adrian is ambitious, but he’s short-sighted,” I said. “He trusts Serena because she represents the high-society connections he’s always craved. He wants to believe her.”