The Woman in the Photograph

The next morning, the towering Vale Enterprises skyscraper gleamed under the cold New York sky. Inside, the air was crisp with efficiency—phones ringing, heels clicking against marble floors, hushed conversations of powerful men and women who built their fortunes within these walls.

Celeste Carter walked through the entrance, her heels sinking into the plush carpet as she approached her desk. A small smile played on her lips. This was it.

Her first day.

She had no idea that upstairs, in the heart of Vale Enterprises, something far more dangerous was unfolding.

An Unannounced Visit

Bianca had seen a lot in her time as Lucian Vale's secretary—deals worth millions being sealed over a handshake, competitors walking out of his office looking like they'd been gutted, and powerful men reduced to mere shadows in his presence.

But this?

Three men from the FBI standing at her desk, flashing their badges with an air of quiet authority? This was different.

Her stomach twisted with unease as she lifted the phone. Lucian needed to know.

The line rang once.

Logan picked up. "Talk."

"There are three agents from the FBI here to see Mr. Vale," Bianca said, keeping her voice professional despite the tension creeping up her spine.

Silence for a beat. Then—

"Let them in."

She nodded at the men, motioning toward the office doors. "Mr. Vale will see you now."

Without another word, the agents stepped forward, their movements calculated. As the heavy office doors shut behind them, the atmosphere thickened like a storm about to break.

The Meeting

Lucian Vale sat at his desk, as composed and unreadable as ever. The morning sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, casting a long shadow across the polished marble floor.

Logan stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching.

The lead agent, a man with silvering hair and a hardened expression, stepped forward."Good morning, Mr. Vale."

Lucian's gaze lifted to them, his expression as impassive as ever. "Is it?"

The agent smirked, setting a leather folder down on the desk."Depends on how you take this news."

He opened the folder, revealing a few scattered documents, though it was clear this was all for show. The real information was in their heads.

"Your life is in danger, Mr. Vale. You should be careful."

Lucian didn't react. He merely leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "And what makes you say that?"

Logan, however, wasn't as patient. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade."On what basis?"

The second agent chuckled under his breath. "Always the watchdog, huh, Briggs?"

Logan's lips curled into a smirk."Always the one cleaning up your messes, huh?"

The air crackled.

The lead agent gave Logan a warning look before turning back to Lucian."We have reason to believe you're being targeted. We've intercepted some concerning communications—enough to suggest someone is planning to make a move on you."

Lucian tilted his head slightly. "And you're here out of… concern?"

"Consider it professional courtesy."

Lucian didn't buy it. Neither did Logan. The FBI never showed up out of courtesy.

The agents gathered their things, preparing to leave. But just as they reached the door, the lead officer stopped.

"One more thing, Mr. Vale."

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a photograph, placing it on the desk.

Lucian's eyes flicked downward.

A woman.

Striking features. Sharp cheekbones, deep red lips, dark eyes that burned with quiet, unshaken confidence. Whoever had taken this photo hadn't caught her off guard.

She wasn't afraid.

She wasn't afraid of anything.

The agent's voice was low, careful. Deadly."Do you know her?"

A thick silence settled over the room.

Lucian let the question hang—three seconds too long.

Then, he lifted his gaze. His voice was calm, cold, detached."No."

A simple answer.

And a lie.

The officer studied him for a moment. Measuring. Calculating.

"Are you sure about that?" His tone was edged now—a test, a warning.

Lucian leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the desk. A predator assessing the one who thought they had control."If I knew her, I would have said so."

The agent exhaled through his nose, clearly unsatisfied.

"We'll be in touch."

As the officers turned to leave, the lead one threw a final glance at Logan."Watch your back, Briggs. Old enemies never forget."

Logan grinned, flashing too many teeth."Neither do I."

As soon as the doors shut, Logan exhaled through his nose. "You hesitated."

Lucian ignored him, picking up the photograph and running his thumb over its edge.

"Find out everything about her."

Logan studied him before speaking."And what if she's connected to Celeste Carter?"

Lucian's expression darkened."Then she's either a pawn… or a player. Either way, I want to know exactly what game she's playing."