Alexander came back to the present. "Have the evidence of his communications with Nathan compiled. If he makes a move, release it immediately."
"I'll see to it," Nash said, turning to leave.
The office was silent once more. Alexander stared out at the dark city, a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach.
He knew tomorrow's presentation would be a battle. Nathan would stop at nothing to win the project, and he might even use Danielle and Niki as leverage. He had to be ready for anything—not just to secure the project, but to protect the people who mattered most.
Meanwhile, Danielle lay in bed, her mind racing.
Tomorrow was the public tender for the Aerospace Institute's drone project, a project she and her team had poured their hearts into.
But now, with Nathan and Harold lurking like vultures, she had no idea what tricks they might pull. She worried about the project, but even more, she worried that this tender would be the final trigger, the event that would shatter the fragile peace between Alexander and Nathan and pull her and Niki directly into the line of fire.
She opened her chat with Rebecca, wanting to talk to someone, but after typing and deleting several messages, she gave up. Rebecca had already worried enough about her and Alexander.
Hours later, the sky began to lighten.
Danielle finally drifted off, only to be jolted awake by her alarm. She got up, went through her morning routine, and made breakfast for Niki. After watching her daughter eat, she rushed to the institute.
Despite her confident words, Danielle felt a pit of unease. She knew Nathan was capable of anything to get what he wanted, especially now that his and Heather's schemes were at risk of being exposed. He would be desperate to control the institute's resources to use as a weapon against Alexander.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Alexander. *I have people at the venue. Call me if anything happens. Protect yourself. Don't engage directly.*
A warmth spread through her chest. He was always there, protecting her in silence. Even if he wouldn't open up to her, he was still her shield against the storm.
She replied, *Okay. You be safe too,* took a deep breath, and walked toward the presentation hall.

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