“Save your friend’s business and go back to your quiet life.”

“Or watch Gabriel lose everything because of your pride.”

I looked at Gabriel, searching his face for any sign of hesitation.

He had built this company from nothing after leaving the police force.

It was his life’s work, his pride, and his shield against the world.

His expression was carved from granite, his dark eyes fixed on my father.

“Do not do it, Claire,” Gabriel said, his voice steady.

“He is bluffing.”

“Am I?” Richard asked.

He took his phone from his coat pocket and tapped the screen.

He held it out so the glowing display faced us.

It was a draft of a press release from Senator Sterling’s legislative office.

The headline announced an immediate probe into Vale Security for suspected espionage and unauthorized data breaches.

The damage to Gabriel’s reputation would be instant and permanent, even if the charges were eventually dropped.

No major corporate client would risk their data with a firm under state investigation.

My throat went dry.

I had wanted justice for my mother, but not at the cost of Gabriel’s future.