Adira's POV
Two days after the gala, my phone wouldn't stop ringing.
At first, I thought it was congratulations. Instead, it was chaos.
"Adira, you need to see this." Sam burst into my office, phone in hand.
I took it and froze.
On the front page of The Daily Standard:
"Williams Legacy in Question: Family Rift Leaked by Inside Source."
Pictures. Quotes. Twisted stories. My childhood scars dragged into the spotlight. My mother's coldness, Ashley's cruel words, even whispers that my father only ever saw one daughter as his heir.
Ashley had gone for blood.
My chest tightened as I scrolled. It wasn't just gossip anymore. This was character assassination and it was working. Investors were calling again. Some threatened to pull out.
I felt the world tilt, but then Jayden stepped forward, calm as steel.
"She's not after your company this time," he said. "She's after you. Your name. Your place in this family. If she can make you look illegitimate, she thinks she can erase you."
Kendrick slammed a fist against the table. "Then we don't just defend, we hit back. Harder."
Sam placed a hand on my shoulder. "But Addy... are you ready for this? Because if you fight Ashley on this level, there's no going back."
I looked at each of them Jayden, steady and unreadable; Kendrick, fierce and angry; Sam, loyal and protective.
"No going back?" I said slowly, feeling my spine straighten.
"Good," I whispered. "I'm done running."