Silver didn't expect Celeste Cole to approach her so calmly.
It happened late in the afternoon, when the office had grown quieter and the hum of productivity softened into fatigue. Silver was gathering her things, her thoughts still tangled around Raymond's words from the night before, when a shadow fell across her desk.
"Silver Adams," a smooth voice said. "Do you have a moment?"
Silver looked up.
Celeste stood there, composed as ever, her expression polite but unreadable. Up close, she was even more striking—effortless, like someone who had never doubted her place in any room.
"Of course," Silver replied, standing slowly.
Celeste gestured toward the conference room. "Somewhere private?"
Silver hesitated, then nodded.
The door closed softly behind them.
Celeste didn't sit immediately. She walked to the window, folding her arms as she looked out at the city, as though choosing her words carefully.
"You work very hard," she said finally. "People notice."
Silver frowned slightly. "Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment," Celeste added gently. "It was an observation."
Silver's shoulders tensed. "What do you want to talk about?"
Celeste turned. "Raymond."
There it was.
Silver inhaled slowly. "I thought so."
Celeste studied her—really studied her this time. "You don't look like someone who's enjoying this."
Silver gave a faint, tired smile. "Is anyone?"
Celeste's lips curved briefly. "Fair point."
She moved closer, lowering her voice. "The Cole family values discretion. Stability. Predictability."
Silver met her gaze. "And I represent the opposite?"
"You represent uncertainty," Celeste said honestly. "And uncertainty makes people nervous."
Silver folded her arms, mirroring her. "Then why are you here? To scare me off?"
Celeste shook her head. "If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't be talking to you like this."
"Then why?" Silver asked.
Celeste's eyes sharpened. "Because someone is forcing your hand. And it isn't us."
Silver's breath caught.
"What do you mean?"
Celeste reached into her bag and placed her phone on the table between them. She slid it forward.
On the screen was a familiar image.
Silver and Raymond.
Silver's stomach dropped. "You have it too?"
"Yes," Celeste said quietly. "But I didn't take it."
Silence stretched.
Silver whispered, "Then who did?"
Celeste straightened. "Someone with access. Someone who knows the building. Someone who understands timing."
Silver's mind raced. "Are you saying this came from inside the company?"
Celeste didn't answer directly. "Raymond has many enemies. Some want power. Some want revenge. Some just want leverage."
"And you think they're using me," Silver said.
Celeste nodded. "You're the easiest target."
The words stung, but Silver knew they were true.
Across the building, Raymond stood in the security office, his patience wearing thin.
"Show me again," he demanded.
The footage replayed on the screen: a shadowy figure lingering near the executive hallway after hours, a phone lifted briefly, then lowered.
"Zoom in," Raymond said.
The technician complied.
Raymond's eyes narrowed.
"That badge," he said slowly. "Freeze it."
The image sharpened just enough.
His jaw clenched.
"That belongs to someone in editorial."
Back in the conference room, Silver sat down heavily.
"So what now?" she asked. "You warn me and walk away?"
Celeste shook her head. "No. I came to tell you something else."
Silver looked up.
"My family will pressure you," Celeste said calmly. "They already are. Subtly. That won't stop."
Silver swallowed. "And you?"
Celeste hesitated. "I won't lie to you. I care about Raymond. I always have."
Silver's heart tightened—but Celeste continued.
"But I won't destroy someone to prove I belong."
Silver studied her face, searching for cruelty—and finding none. Only restraint.
"You're being used," Celeste added. "And so is he."
Silver's phone vibrated in her pocket.
She didn't need to look.
She already knew.
Unknown Number: Meeting the family now? Careful. One wrong move and everything burns.
Silver stood abruptly. "They're watching me right now."
Celeste's expression hardened. "Then we don't have much time."
That night, Raymond arrived at Silver's apartment with a tension in his shoulders she had never seen before.
"I know who it might be," he said the moment she opened the door.
Her heart pounded. "I met Celeste today."
He froze. "What?"
"She knows about the photos," Silver said quickly. "And she thinks the blackmailer is inside the company."
Raymond exhaled sharply. "She's right."
They stared at each other.
"Someone in editorial," Raymond continued. "Someone with access. Someone who resents us."
Silver's mind flashed back to certain glances. Certain silences.
"Oh God," she whispered. "I trusted them."
Raymond stepped closer, gripping her shoulders gently. "Listen to me. This ends soon. I promise."
"What if it doesn't?" she asked, voice shaking. "What if this ruins everything?"
Raymond rested his forehead against hers. "Then we rebuild. Together."
Tears slid down her cheeks. "Your family—"
"I'll handle them."
"And Celeste?"
A pause.
"She's not the enemy," he admitted. "But she's not the answer either."
Silver nodded slowly.
Some lines, once drawn, could not be unseen.
And somewhere in the building they called home, someone was preparing to cross them.