Chapter 25 - Liam’s Offer
Watching me navigate the crushing, multidirectional pressure of Marcus’s assault, the board's wavering loyalty, and internal betrayals, Liam finally stepped out of his usual supportive role and firmly intervened. We were standing in the kitchen of the penthouse, the city lights reflecting off the marble counters, when he made his proposition. "I need to use my old networks in the private investigation sector," Liam stated, his voice laced with an unyielding determination. "I can track down the exact origins of the dark money Marcus is using to bribe the shareholders. Let me do this."
I hesitated, my grip tightening around my coffee mug. Ever since the night I overthrew Ethan, I had fiercely guarded my independence. I wanted—no, I needed—to win this corporate war entirely on my own merits, terrified of slipping back into the toxic dynamic of relying on a man to fight my battles or secure my safety.
But as I looked up into Liam’s steady, respectful gaze, I saw no desire to control or overshadow me. I saw only a fiercely loyal partner offering a tactical advantage in a war we were fighting together. I realized then that accepting help wasn't a symptom of weakness; it was the ultimate proof of secure leadership. "Do it," I nodded slowly, exhaling the tension I had been holding onto. "Dig up everything. Find every hidden vulnerability he has."
