CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Uncovering Motives

Nicole sat in her office, tapping a manicured nail against the polished wood of her desk. Tyler Winslow had made himself a problem, and Nicole Melbourne didn't let problems fester.

"Emma, dig up everything you can on Tyler Winslow's business dealings," she ordered.

Emma nodded and got to work, fingers flying over her keyboard. Nicole leaned back, watching her assistant with calculating eyes.

Did she truly believe Tyler was involved in money laundering? No.

Tyler Winslow was too smart, too deliberate. Offshore accounts? That was a smokescreen—a distraction meant to keep prying eyes occupied while the real game played out elsewhere. But why go to such lengths? What was he hiding?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Rachel.

Nicole hesitated, then answered.

"Nicole, I've been thinking... about Tyler," Rachel's voice was cautious. "Be careful. He's not what he seems."

Nicole's grip on the phone tightened. "What do you mean?"

"I overheard some things. People are saying Tyler's involved in shady deals—things that could destroy even you."

A slow, cold smile touched Nicole's lips. "Destroy me?" Her tone was amused. "Rachel, you should know by now—I don't fall. I make others fall."

Rachel sighed. "Still, be careful."

The call ended, and Nicole's smile faded. Rachel was worried about her. That was rare. But the fact remained—Rachel didn't know Tyler like Nicole did.

At least, Nicole thought she did.

"Nicole."

Emma's voice pulled her back. She turned to see her assistant staring at the screen, eyes wide.

"I found something."

Nicole stood, moving beside her.

Emma pointed at a list of transactions. "Tyler's company is linked to several offshore accounts."

Nicole arched a brow. "And?"

Emma hesitated. "Nicole, these accounts funnel through multiple shell companies. The patterns are... odd. They're meant to look like money laundering, but something's off."

Nicole smirked. "Exactly what I expected."

Emma frowned. "You think he's faking it?"

"Of course. Tyler Winslow is a man who thrives on misdirection. He's letting people think he's into something dirty, so they don't look for what he's actually doing."

Emma exhaled. "Then the real question is—what is he hiding?"

Before Nicole could answer, her phone buzzed. A text.

Unknown Number: Tyler's not the only one with secrets, Nicole. Meet me at the Blue Diamond Club at midnight. Come alone.

Nicole's gaze lingered on the message.

The first text had been easy to ignore. This second one? It piqued her interest.

Was this person implying that she had secrets? That they knew something about her?

Nicole smirked and deleted the text. If this was a game, she'd play it—on her terms.

But for now, she had another mystery to solve.

"Emma, get me everything you can on these accounts," Nicole ordered.

Emma nodded, already typing.

Just then, her phone rang again. This time, the name flashing across the screen made Nicole pause.

Victoria Melbourne.

Nicole inhaled, steeling herself before answering.

"Nicole, darling," Victoria's voice was distant, but sharp. "I hear you're investigating Tyler Winslow."

Nicole's jaw tightened. "Mother, how did you—"

"Never mind that," Victoria interrupted smoothly. "Drop this, Nicole. You're playing with fire."

Nicole's eyes narrowed. "Why do you care?"

A silence stretched between them before Victoria spoke again.

"Because you're not the only one watching him."

Nicole's pulse spiked. "Explain."

Victoria's tone was unreadable. "There are things, Nicole, that even you don't understand. Walk away before you burn everything down."

Nicole exhaled sharply. "I don't back down."

"Then don't say I didn't warn you."

The line went dead.

Nicole stared at her phone.

Her mother never warned her unless there was something bigger at play.

Just what the hell was Tyler Winslow involved in?

The only way to find out was to confront him directly.

Tyler's Office – The Power PlayTyler looked up from his desk as Nicole strode in. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes gleamed with something close to amusement.

"Nicole," he greeted smoothly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Nicole shut the door behind her, crossing the room with slow, deliberate steps.

"Your business dealings," she said. "I know about the offshore accounts."

Tyler leaned back in his chair, completely unfazed. "Do you?"

Nicole met his gaze, searching for any flicker of reaction. There was none.

"Just prudent financial planning," he added.

"Don't insult my intelligence, Tyler."

His lips curved slightly. "I wouldn't dare."

Nicole folded her arms. "What's your real motive?"

Tyler studied her, his silence stretching between them like an invisible thread. Then, he exhaled softly and stood, closing the space between them.

"Perhaps," he murmured, "I want to protect my interests. Just like you."

Nicole's instincts screamed danger—not the kind that made her pull away, but the kind that dared her to step closer.

She didn't blink. "You expect me to believe that?"

Tyler smirked. "No. I expect you to keep digging, because I know you won't stop until you have answers."

Nicole hated that he was right.

"Fine," she said coolly. "Let's play, then. But I want transparency, Tyler. No more secrets."

Tyler's smirk deepened. "You want transparency? Very well. Meet me at the rooftop bar tonight. 9 PM."

Nicole arched a brow. "And why would I do that?"

"Because, Nicole," he said softly, "you want to."

Her pulse kicked up, but she kept her expression cool.

"Come alone," he added, his eyes glinting.

Nicole held his gaze a moment longer before turning on her heel. "We'll see."

She walked out, her mind racing.

Was Tyler testing her? Challenging her?

And why did she feel like she was already two steps behind?

A Final Warning – The Unknown Number

As Nicole reached her car, her phone buzzed again. Another text from the unknown number.

Unknown Number: Remember, Nicole. Tyler's not the only one with secrets. And neither are you.

Nicole stopped cold.

Her?

This wasn't just about Tyler anymore.

Someone knew something about her.

A slow, dangerous smile curled her lips.

Fine. Let's play.