Morning sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows of the Smith Group headquarters, illuminating the large executive office at the top floor.
Ryan Smith sat behind his desk, reviewing several documents spread neatly before him. His expression was calm, but his eyes were focused.
Across from him sat Liam, leaning comfortably in the chair with one leg crossed over the other.
Liam watched Ryan for a moment before speaking.
"You heard about it already, right?"
Ryan didn't look up.
"Yes."
Liam sighed.
"So Hazel finally knows the truth."
Ryan turned a page in the report calmly.
Liam studied him carefully.
"You're surprisingly quiet about it."
Ryan placed the document down.
"She needed to know eventually."
Liam nodded slowly.
"Still… she looked pretty devastated last night."
Ryan's gaze shifted briefly toward the large window behind him.
Hazel's tearful face from the balcony flashed through his mind.
For a brief moment, something cold moved in his eyes.
Then his expression returned to normal.
Liam leaned forward slightly.
"So what now?"
Ryan picked up another document and slid it across the desk.
Liam glanced at it.
Then his eyebrows rose.
"Malone Group shares?"
Ryan nodded.
"I bought them."
Liam blinked in surprise.
"Wait… how many?"
Ryan answered casually.
"Enough."
Liam flipped through the pages quickly.
His eyes widened.
"Ryan… this is a huge percentage."
Ryan remained calm.
"It's only the beginning."
Liam leaned back slowly.
"Hold on a second."
He looked at Ryan carefully.
"You're secretly buying Malone Group shares… after Kyle traded Hazel to you?"
Ryan didn't respond.
Liam frowned.
"Why?"
Ryan's voice was calm.
"I'm not helping him."
Liam waited.
Ryan tapped the desk lightly once.
"I'm controlling him."
Liam stared at him for a moment.
Then he laughed quietly.
"Of course."
He shook his head.
"That poor idiot Kyle really has no idea what kind of man he made a deal with."
Ryan said nothing.
Liam leaned forward again.
"So what's your plan?"
Ryan looked down at the documents again.
"Malone Group shareholders are losing confidence."
Liam nodded.
"That's why many of them are selling their shares."
Ryan's lips curved slightly.
"Which makes it easy for me to buy them."
Liam suddenly understood.
"You're slowly taking control of the Malone Group."
Ryan didn't deny it.
Liam whistled softly.
"Ryan… that's brutal."
Ryan's gaze turned cold.
"He traded Hazel."
The room fell silent.
Liam crossed his arms.
"So this is revenge."
Ryan looked at him.
"No."
Liam raised an eyebrow.
Ryan's voice remained steady.
"It's justice."
At that moment, Ryan's phone buzzed on the desk.
He glanced at the screen.
It was a message from Bella.
Bella: Hazel hasn't left her room all morning.
Ryan's gaze darkened slightly.
Liam noticed.
"So… what about Hazel?"
Ryan stood up from his chair.
"She needs time."
Liam smirked slightly.
"That's not what I meant."
Ryan paused.
Liam looked directly at him.
"You're doing all this because of her, aren't you?"
Ryan didn't answer.
But the silence itself was enough.
Liam chuckled quietly.
"Well… this is going to get interesting."
Ryan picked up his coat.
"I have a meeting."
Liam stood up as well.
"With Malone Group?"
Ryan walked toward the door.
"Yes."
Liam followed him out of the office.
"Does Kyle know yet?"
Ryan stopped briefly before entering the elevator.
His lips curved slightly.
"Not yet."
Then the elevator doors closed.
And somewhere across the city…
Kyle Malone still had no idea that the man he made a deal with was already tightening a silent grip around his entire company.