The whispers and camera shutters wove together into a suffocating net, tightening around me until I could barely breathe.
"That's enough!" A cool, commanding male voice cut through the chaos and tore the net wide open.
I turned toward the sound. "Joseph Simmons?"
He stood tall in a perfectly tailored suit, every line of him sharp and composed, his features carrying an air of cold refinement.
His bodyguards cleared the crowd in seconds. He slipped off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. "Let me get you out of here."
I blinked, then nodded.
He swept me up in his arms and carried me all the way to his car.
Warm air flooded the interior, chasing the chill from my skin. He handed me a bottle of water, his voice low and gentle. "Those photos won't see the light of day, Ms. Harding. You have my word."
My throat was raw. "Thank you."
He let out a quiet laugh. "Don't mention it. I simply couldn't stand watching someone who once beat me fall this low."
Joseph's company had always been Stephens Corp's fiercest rival. Years ago, I'd snatched several key projects right out from under him. After I stepped back from the company, his firm had become the thorn in Piers's side that he could never pull free.
The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. This man could help me.
The water bottle crackled under my grip. I knew that once I opened my mouth, there would be no turning back.
But then I thought of my mother's death. The three babies I'd never gotten to hold. Every last humiliation I'd swallowed.
My gaze hardened. "Mr. Simmons, I want to propose a partnership."
"A partnership?" Joseph raised an eyebrow.
I summoned every ounce of courage I had left, burning my bridges behind me. "I have intimate knowledge of Stephens Corp's lifelines and criminal evidence against Piers Stephens. I can help you dismantle his empire."
"In return, you help me leave him with nothing."
"Why me?" he asked.
I knew the answer all too well. Evidence meant nothing against power.
Piers's roots ran deep, and I had no one behind me. Not a single soul. Not even my own family would lift a finger.
When Julie ran over my mother and left her in a vegetative state, I'd taken her to court. My father, using his authority as her husband, had signed a victim's pardon letter on my mother's behalf and gotten Julie off scot-free. Even at my mother's funeral, he'd stood there defending Julie, scolding me in front of everyone for refusing to let the past go.
The only person I could think of who had both the means and the motive to go toe-to-toe with Piers was Joseph Simmons.
A bitter smile twisted my lips. "You're the only chance I have."
Joseph didn't press further. His gaze locked onto mine, sharp as a hawk's. "I'll help you. But in exchange, you do one thing for me. No questions asked."
"What is it?" I asked, guard instantly up.
The corner of his mouth curved. "I'll tell you when the time comes."
I drew a deep breath. I had nothing left to lose. What was there to be afraid of?
"Deal."
When I got home and pushed open the door, I was met with Piers's dark, thunderous expression.
"Where the hell have you been?" His tone was sharp. "You had a wardrobe malfunction on camera and then you just wander off? Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is?"
I scoffed. "You're the one who set me up. She's the one who made sure everyone was there to watch. And you both walked out and left me behind. But somehow I'm the one who should be embarrassed?"
He had nothing to say to that. After a long pause, his voice softened. "About what happened earlier. Julie and I want to take you to dinner to make it up to you. Tomorrow—"
"No need." I cut him off and turned to leave, but his hand clamped down on my shoulder.
Piers was clearly losing patience with my attitude. He forced his temper down, barely. "I know you're upset. But Julie is young. I can't just abandon her. If it really bothers you, I'll keep my distance from her after this one dinner. All right?"
"No need. It doesn't bother me." My voice was flat.
"It doesn't bother you?" Whatever patience he had left snapped. "Stop throwing tantrums! Julie is pregnant. Don't go upsetting her. You're coming to dinner tomorrow, and that's final. Are we clear?"
I said nothing. My hand drifted to my own stomach.
I was pregnant too.
But in his eyes, only Julie's feelings mattered. Mine weren't even worth considering.
Cold fury churned deep inside me, wave after wave. But then I thought of my agreement with Joseph, and I swallowed it down.
It was just one dinner.
I'd think of it as their last supper.
