Chapter 216: The Truth Chris Didn't Want to Hear

Chris sat in his office, the city lights of Washington, D.C., casting a cold glow through the massive windows behind him. He drummed his fingers against his desk, jaw clenched as he listened to Ethan's voice through the speakerphone.

"You were right. She met with someone. And you're not gonna like who it was."

A pause.

Chris exhaled slowly, already sensing the answer. "Who?"

Ethan hesitated. That wasn't a good sign. Ethan never hesitated.

"Ava Sinclair."

The name hit like a bullet.

Chris sat back in his chair, staring at nothing. His mind worked fast, running through scenarios, trying to find a logical explanation—one that wouldn't mean betrayal.

Ava Sinclair.

Skylar's old friend. The woman who had always doubted him. The one who had vanished for years, only to return as a vocal opponent of his rule.

And now she was back. Meeting Skylar.

"You sure?" Chris finally asked, though he knew Ethan wouldn't bring this to him unless he was.

"Traffic cameras caught them together at a small café downtown. Skylar dismissed her security before she went in," Ethan confirmed. "They talked for almost an hour. Then they left separately. I don't know what they discussed, but from the body language? It wasn't just some casual reunion."

Chris's fingers curled into a fist.

"What the hell is she thinking?" His voice was quiet, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.

"Want me to have someone pick up Ava?" Ethan asked.

Chris didn't answer immediately. His first instinct was to eliminate the problem. Ava was a threat—if she was trying to turn Skylar against him, that was an act of war.

But Skylar…

Skylar had lied to him.

That part burned deeper than anything else. She had come home to him that night, looked him in the eye, and lied.

Why?

Did she regret what they had built? Was she doubting him? Or worse… was she turning against him?

No.

Chris refused to believe that.

"Not yet," Chris finally said, his voice cold. "Skylar hasn't cracked. If Ava is trying to recruit her, I want to know exactly how far she's gotten."

"And if she has gotten far?" Ethan asked.

Chris's expression darkened.

"Then I'll handle it myself."