Chapter 35 "Exactly. Nine employees getting paid who don't exist. That's payroll fraud." He whistled under his breath. "If that's been happening for ten years-" "It's a million-dollar bleed," I finished. "Someone's been syphoning money by inflating the headcount."' He began pacing. "This means someone inside the system- maybe mid-level or even at the auditing stage-knows how to manipulate the checks. The list goes through layers, but no one really verifies every name manually at the top." "Which is why it never triggered a red flag until now," I murmured. "It's disguised just enough to look clean, but the numbers don't lie." "We need to report this to Alpha Alexander," Gai said immediately. I nodded. "Yes. But he's going to be swamped with the alpha summit tomorrow." Gai rubbed his temple. "Then?" Chapter 5 "I'll go to the factory," I said. "In person. Quietly. If we can identify who's behind it before bringing it to Alexander, we'll have a stronger case." Gai looked at me with something between concern and respect. "You're serious." I didn't answer. I just turned back to the screen and started scrolling for more anomalies. What neither Olivia nor Gai noticed was the man who had stepped out from a nearby booth just moments before. His cigarette dangled between his fingers, forgotten, as he stood frozen-only partially hidden behind a glass panel. His eyes narrowed, face hardening with every word he overheard. What Olivia and Gai had stumbled upon... wasn't just a minor payroll error. It was a thread tied directly to something he had worked hard to bury. And they were pulling it loose. Olivia's POV The dinner ended later than expected. The moment we stepped out of the restaurant, I caught a glimpse of Alexander walking ahead with a stiff, serious look etched across his face. "Is he... Drunk?" I muttered, half to myself. "Yes. He is," Gai said beside me. "When he tapped his card to check out just now, he fumbled twice. That man only misses the mark when he's been drinking." My eyebrows lifted. That didn't quite match the Alpha's usual control. But before I could reply, Jess suddenly surged forward. She looked radiant under the streetlights-heels clicking, her pace brisk and focused. She reached Alexander quickly, her hand slipping through the crook of his arm with the familiarity of someone who had done it a hundred times before. "Let's go back to my room," she said in a light, persuasive tone. "I saved the wine you like!" Alexander didn't hesitate. "No." It was sharp. Final. He pulled his arm free, stepping past her without even looking at her face. Jess faltered but tried to recover with a brittle smile. The hotel hallway carpet was slightly uneven, and Alexander's foot caught just a bit too long on the edge. I saw his weight shift, his posture dip slightly forward. Gai and I were just a step behind him. We both reached out instinctively-but Jess was faster. She stepped in with her arms out, body tilting just enough to receive him. I held my breath. Chapter 35 But then, in a blur of movement, Alexander twisted away from her and turned toward me instead. His hand caught my wrist so tightly that I yelped. In the same motion, he pulled me toward him-and straight into Jess's space. I stumbled forward, crashing awkwardly against her. My forehead nearly bumped hers, and for a terrifying second, I thought I was about to be forced into an accidental kiss. Jess recoiled, furious, and shoved me aside with a loud huff. Alexander was already walking away like nothing had happened. I stood there, stunned, still tasting the tension in the air. Jess glared at me as if I were the one who'd planned it. Her heels pivoted and she stormed off, muttering something under her breath. I watched her retreating figure disappear into the parking lot. She looked somewhat envious. She could walk away whenever she wanted. I couldn't. I was still the new hire. Barely three days in. I didn't have the luxury of outbursts or exits. Not yet. We all got into the car. I slid into the seat beside Alexander, and Gai sat in the front with the driver. My knee throbbed faintly, reminding me of the moment I had collided with Alexander's shin as he jerked me forward. Beside me, Alexander leaned against the car window. One hand rested on his temple, his eyes closed. Calm. Untouchable. I couldn't tell if he was asleep or just disinterested. Neither would surprise me. When we reached the hotel, I tried shaking him gently. Nothing. I called his name. No response. Gai and I exchanged a look. With the help of a hotel attendant, we finally managed to lift him out of the car and into his suite. I let Gai take most of the weight while I limped slightly behind them. Chapter 36 In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.