A Dangerous Invitation

Emily stared at the message from Julian Blackwood, her heart pounding in her chest. His words were both a warning and a challenge one she wasn't sure she was ready to face. Yet, something inside her refused to back down.

She quickly slipped her phone into her bag as Daniel flagged down a taxi.

"You okay?" he asked, noticing the distant look on her face.

"I'm fine," she lied. "Just thinking."

Daniel raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Let me know if you want me to dig deeper on Solstice Holdings. This thing is bigger than we thought."

Emily nodded, but her thoughts were still on Julian. He wasn't just a story anymore he was becoming a mystery she needed to solve.

By the time she returned to her apartment, the city skyline twinkled outside her window. She tossed her bag onto the couch and checked her phone again. No new messages. For some reason, disappointment tugged at her.

Before she could overthink it, another message came through. This time, it wasn't a warning.

Julian Blackwood: Dinner. Tomorrow. 8 PM. I assume you know where my office is.

Emily's breath caught. Was he offering her an opportunity or baiting her into a trap?

A journalist knew better than to get too close to their subject. But if Julian was willing to talk, she couldn't afford to walk away.

After a brief pause, she typed a response.

Emily Taylor: I'll be there.

The moment she hit send, she knew she was playing a dangerous game.

And Julian Blackwood played to win.