)

The private plane's cabin had a soft, dim light that gave an almost magical glow to the comfortable leather seats. Grayson sat in one of those seats, his fingers occasionally tapping on the armrest in a rhythm that mirrored his swirling thoughts. The hum of the engines seemed to echo his restlessness, a reminder that time was of the essence.

"Alison," he repeated, a hint of desperation creeping into his tone. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at the lack of response.

Grayson leaned against the window, his attention out at the city lights below yet his mind was filled with thoughts of her. "Alison," he said once more, his voice softer this time, laced with a touch of empathy.

And then, just as he was about to give up hope, a faint sound crackled through the earpiece. "Did you miss me?" Alison's voice, though slightly slurred, carried a soft chuckle.

Grayson's relief was palpable, a weight lifted from his shoulders. Alison's voice sounded oddly carefree and light. "Are you drunk?" Grayson's brows furrowed. Mason's voice murmured in the background, raising more questions. "Is Mason there with you?"

"He's here, but not here," Alison teased. "Imagine Mason and I sharing a drink. Now that would be a sight to see, wouldn't it?"

Grayson could hear faint shouts of Mason in the background - "Who are you talking to?" Mason's words were sluggish and slow. Alison responded with a peal of laughter, as if Mason's words were the funniest thing she had heard all night. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Dammit Alison, Grayson couldn't help but sigh inwardly, acknowledging that she was drunk.

Grayson pinched the bridge of his nose, his patience being tested. "Hudson found your lost records," Grayson took a deep breath, trying to remain patient despite the challenge of getting through to Alison. "We could present this evidence to the authorities and expose Mason."

With Hudson possessing Alison's records, she was now legally recognized. The disappearance of her lost files would be trailed back to Mason - guilty as charged.

There was a momentary pause, and Grayson could almost picture Alison processing his words. "Do you believe that Hudson would let us have access to my records?" Alison's voice took on a more mischievous tone.

Grayson had expected Alison to ask that question. Hudson had told Grayson that he had no reason to turn Mason in. He believed that, up until now, Alison had caused more pain, suffering, and difficulties, despite being in the hospital due to Mason. Mason had given them money and helped them escape their old lives, which was a significant reason why Hudson didn't want to report Mason - it would mean losing the financial support they depended on. Yet, Grayson was aware that Hudson still cared about Alison's well-being.

Hudson had admitted that he regretted not being a better brother to Alison. Just like their parents had high hopes for Alison, Hudson had also placed his own expectations on her, and even shut her out when she needed his support the most.

Hudson's involvement went beyond just being concerned; he actively tried to help Alison. Hudson had put himself on the board, and started playing.

But the most important moment came when Hudson had broken down in tears upon realising the risks Alison was facing. Grayson understood that it's not common for a 25-year-old to cry easily. There had to be something deeply touching for Hudson to cry about.

Thinking back, Grayson remembered Nash crying after his breakup with Alisa. Initially, Grayson had thought it was strange to cry over a breakup. But looking back, he realised it must have been painful. Nash had played their grandfather's games longer than anyone has, and probably suffered more than the rest of his brothers. Alisa had chosen their family's legacy over Nash, and that decision carried a lot of emotional weight for both of them. With the changes that Avery and Libby had brought, Alisa might have felt regretful about her choice now.

"I do," Grayson's response was resolute. "And I believe William would too."

For a moment, there was silence on the other end, broken only by Mason's distant murmurs.It seemed as though Grayson's mention of William had struck a chord with Alison. When she finally spoke, her voice was much quieter, almost sombre. "There's no real incentive for them to assist. Once they're out of the hospital, they'll likely move on with their lives, and as for me..." She hesitated briefly, the sound of a sip—presumably from a glass of red wine—lingering in the background. "I'll continue with whatever's left of my life."

Why can't she see that this is her chance to win? Grayson's patience was wearing thin, especially with Mason's presence looming in the background. "Alison, you can either cooperate and help bring him down, or you can face the consequences alongside him."

"Isn't that a matter of perspective?" Alison's response dripped with sarcasm. "What's right for one might be wrong for another. You can't mend broken glass. You can only pick up the pieces and create something new."

"You have a chance Alison," Grayson insisted, his voice cold. "You can win against Mason's own game-"

"And what about you, huh?" Alison's voice quivered as she retorted. "Have you thought about what could happen to you?"

Grayson's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected Alison to turn the tables on him.

Did she plan this all along? Was that why she told him to go to the hospital?

Alison had been protecting Grayson this whole time, wanting him to grasp that her victory would mean defeat for him.

"Do you really believe Mason will let you walk away, now that we're this close to exposing everything?"

Grayson imagined her sitting there, her brows furrowed, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her wine glass. He wondered if she was torn between her desire to protect him and her own hesitation to fully commit to taking down Mason.

For the first time in their conversation, Alison's voice held a note of clarity. "I put my entire family on the board, gambled on them, and I lost. I put you on the board, and... "

There was a moment of silence, broken only by Mason's singing in the background. Alison's voice grew even softer, and Grayson strained to hear her words. "I can't risk losing again."

Grayson felt his heart tighten. She didn't want him to suffer like her family, or couldn't bare it. He knew that Mason had power and connections that could cause trouble in his life, but Alison couldn't see the full picture.

Her missing records could prove Mason's guilt temporarily, maybe for 2 or 5 years in jail, but with the social contract, Mason could be imprisoned for a very, very, very long time.

Winning a legal case against someone who drugged you into signing a contract is complicated because it involves legal and evidence challenges.

To start, Grayson needed Alisa, a lawyer who knows about contract or criminal law. Alisa would be able to provide Alison with legal advice tailored to her situation and jurisdiction.

Second, Alison needed to prove she had been drugged, she needed medical evidence like test results or statements from people who saw it happen. But Grayson was sure Mason got rid of that evidence.

The next step would be for Alisa to carefully study the contract itself. She would look for any signs that Alison was forced or unable to understand when she signed. Also, check if there were any witnesses or things Mason said that show what he really meant.

Any correspondence, text messages, emails, or other communications that indicate Alison's state of mind or the other party's intentions can be crucial in proving her case.

Lastly, if Mason has a history of tricking or pressuring people into unfair contracts, any evidence of such behaviour could strengthen Alison's case. She would need to outline the damages she suffered as a result of signing the contract, which include financial losses, emotional distress, and any other relevant negative consequences.

"This isn't about me. This isn't about Mason. This is about you, Alison Emrys," Grayson replied firmly. "I take calculated risks, while you jump into them blindly." Grayson closed his eyes, and remembered their first argument at their financial class. He remembered every single word she said.

"Sometimes you have to take a leap of fate," they both said it simultaneously, and Grayson could practically hear Alison smile.

"You always were stubborn," Grayson stated, his tone lightening a little.

"I learned from the best," Alison sighed, and Grayson could picture her rubbing her temples as if trying to ease a headache from drinking. "What's life without risks?"

"Those were your words, not mine," Grayson's lips curved into a faint smile.

Alison's response was unexpected, just the way Grayson liked it. She burst into a rendition of a popular song, her voice slurred but surprisingly melodious.

"I did my best, it wasn't much,

I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch,

I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool ya,

And even though it all went wrong,

I'll stand before the lord of song,

With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah."