Emma didn't tell Alexander about her text exchange with Voss.
She told herself it was strategic—better to wait until she had more information, until she understood what Voss actually wanted. But the truth was simpler and more complicated: she was afraid of Alexander's reaction. Afraid he'd shut down the possibility of negotiation entirely. Afraid he'd try to control the situation the way he controlled everything else.
So she kept quiet.
And the secret sat between them like a wall.
Alexander came home from the office that evening looking exhausted. He'd spent the day with investigators, going through every piece of Voss's current business operations, looking for leverage of their own.
"Find anything?" Emma asked, handing him a scotch.
"Maybe. Voss's company has been moving money through shell corporations in the Caymans. It's legal on the surface, but the pattern suggests tax evasion. If we can prove it—"
