Lysandra Vale arrived at Kairo's estate without an invitation.
That alone set every internal alarm ringing.
Security protocols snapped into place the moment her car rolled through the outer gate. No cameras followed her this time. No dramatic entrance. She wore simple clothes, dark glasses, her hair pulled back. It was the least performative Naya had ever seen her.
Which made her dangerous.
"She's asking to see you," Naya said quietly to Kairo, standing at his side in the study. "Says it's urgent."
Kairo frowned. "I didn't authorize this."
"She claims it concerns Maribel."
That name did it.
Against his better judgment, Kairo nodded. "Five minutes. Then she leaves."
Lysandra was escorted in under watchful eyes. She didn't smile when she saw Kairo. She didn't flirt. She didn't try to close the distance. Instead, she stood stiffly in the center of the room like someone who knew she wouldn't be welcome long.
"You shouldn't have come," Kairo said flatly.
"I know," Lysandra replied. "But if I don't say this and something happens, I won't forgive myself."
Naya remained near the door, arms folded, gaze sharp.
"Say it," Kairo said. "Quickly."
Lysandra took a breath. "Maribel Crossley is not who she claims to be."
Kairo's jaw tightened. "You expect me to believe that now?"
"I don't care what you believe," Lysandra snapped, the first crack in her composure. "I care that you listen. She's connected to people you don't want near your campaign. I've seen her meet them. Quietly. Carefully. People who don't leave fingerprints."
"That's rich," Kairo said coldly. "Coming from you."
Lysandra flinched, then steadied herself. "You think I'm here for your bed. Fine. Believe that. But I'm not suicidal, and I'm not stupid. There are forces circling you that want your downfall. They care about leverage. And Maribel is leverage."
Naya's eyes narrowed. Something about the urgency felt… off. Not desperate. Calculated, maybe but also fearful.
"You're lying," Kairo said. "Or you're manipulating me."
"Then check," Lysandra urged. "Run a deeper background. Trace her funding. Her connections. Ask yourself why she showed up exactly when you were most vulnerable."
Silence fell heavy.
For half a second—just half—Kairo considered it.
And then anger surged.
"Get out," he said.
Lysandra stared at him. "Kairo.."
"I said get out," he repeated, voice hard. "You've crossed enough lines. You don't get to walk into my home and poison my team because you're jealous."
"This isn't jealousy," she said sharply. "This is survival."
Kairo turned away. "Escort her out."
Security moved in immediately.
As Lysandra was led toward the door, she twisted back, eyes locking briefly with Naya's.
"You already feel it," Lysandra said quietly. "That wrongness. Don't ignore it."
The doors closed behind her.
The silence afterward was thick, unsettled.
Kairo exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "She's trying to destabilize us."
"Maybe," Naya said.
He looked up sharply. "Maybe?"
Naya hesitated. Just a fraction. "I don't trust her motives. But… I don't ignore warnings either."
Kairo stiffened. "I won't let her get into my head."
"I know," Naya replied gently. "Just… let me verify things. Quietly."
He nodded, No! because Lysandra is insecure. "Forget her she just wanted attention "
Outside the gates, Lysandra stood beside her car, shaking not from fear of being thrown out, but from the knowledge that she'd done the one thing she never did. She'd told the truth.
And Kairo had refused to hear it.