Chapter 24: The Edge of Conflict

James froze mid-step as he read the message, his eyes narrowing with a cold intensity. He had contacted Killian from the ambulance en route to the hospital, instructing his trusted secretary to contain the fallout.

The restaurant had been unusually crowded, and the incident had drawn significant attention. He couldn't rule out the possibility that a guest had taken a video or that someone from the staff had leaked the news.

The last thing he needed was another round of salacious gossip about his family flooding the internet. This time, with his family directly involved, the stakes were even higher.

James clenched his jaw. Not only did he need to suppress any rumors, but he also required irrefutable evidence to put Lila behind bars. Her family wasn't one he could challenge recklessly. He needed leverage strong enough to silence her father completely.