Ryan Cox froze, narrowing his eyes. "You? What are you doing here?"

Emily Blair arched an eyebrow. "I have something to discuss with you, Mr. Cox. Would you mind joining me in the conference room?"

Lucas Cox straightened up, his expression calm. "Dad, you should go."

Ryan's face darkened instantly. "So that's what's going on. When did you start conspiring with Emily Blair?"

Lucas replied evenly, "That's not important."

Ryan let out a derisive laugh. “Ungrateful brat. Siding with outsiders to take me down? If I'd known, I would've taken care of you the day you were born. Worthless."

Lucas smiled right back. "Dad, let's not talk about what you 'would have' done. We're already here. Regret won't help you now. You'd better come with us quietly."

Ryan's eyes narrowed further. “What exactly are you two planning?"

Emily rapped her knuckles crisply against the glass wall beside her. "Mr. Cox."

She gestured toward the conference room, palm up. "After you."

Of course, Ryan wasn't about to follow orders so easily. He grinned, his gaze turning cold and calculating.

"Emily Blair, you're here because of that incident, aren't you? Still can't let it go? It's been days. I heard your assistant's been too rattled to show up for work."

He laughed again, callous and unrepentant. “But what can I say? It's a shame, really. Maybe you should tell your precious assistant to think about why I singled her out. It wasn't anyone else, was it? If she didn't dress to attract attention, none of this would have happened. Takes two to tango, you know?"

Emily's eyes darkened, a mirthless smile tugging at her lips. "You should enjoy laughing while you still can, Mr. Cox. In a moment, you won't feel like it anymore."

Ryan barely spared her or Lucas a glance, his tone hard as steel. "This is my company. Who are you to tell me where I can or can't go? If anyone's leaving, it should be you."

Suddenly, he raised his arm, jabbing a finger at Lucas. “Not just Emily Blair. You too. Get out of my sight! I can't stand traitors."

Lucas's voice was low and cold. "What's that supposed to mean?”

Ryan sneered. "I made you the manager of this branch. Well, I'm taking it back. You're finished here. From now on, you're no son of mine-go find your own way and don't expect me to care if you sink or swim."

Lucas's stare was icy. "Let's see how long you can keep this up."

"Mr. Cox," Emily said, glancing at the clock on the wall, "You're running out of time. I'm asking you nicely now, but if you refuse, someone else will come escort you out." Ryan snorted, pulling out his phone. "Trying to scare me? You're still too naive. I'll have security throw you both out right now."

But as soon as Ryan reached for his phone, a group of people approached.

Men and women, all sharply dressed in dark suits, each carrying a black briefcase, their faces serious and composed. Leading them was a woman with a sleek ponytail, about thirty-four, the most self-assured of them all.

"Which one of you is Ryan Cox?" she asked.

Ryan stared at them, momentarily thrown. "Who are you people?"

Lucas nodded toward their briefcases. "Take a look at the logo."

The woman stepped forward, producing a document from her case and holding it up

for all to see. "I'm with the Bureau of Investigation. Ryan Cox, you're under review for embezzlement. We're here to conduct an inquiry."