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The door didn’t move.

Alex stood at Noah’s side, arms crossed, gaze hard. “Sorry to drop in unannounced, but Ruth’s been asking about you. Thought we’d check in. We’re hoping it makes her feel better when we tell her we saw you.”

Melanie’s grip on the door tightened. “Ruth’s been asking about me?”

Noah nodded. “Yeah. She’s worried about you, especially after we told her about Dylan Grant.”

Melanie blinked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Dylan?”

Noah watched her closely, his voice smooth as silk. “Yeah. She was relieved to hear he made it out.”

Melanie paled. “I—I don’t understand.”

Noah tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing just enough to keep her uncomfortable. “Come on, Mel. You were there. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Luke shifted slightly behind her, arms crossed over his chest. His face remained neutral, but Noah didn’t miss the way his jaw twitched.

Melanie swallowed hard, glancing at Luke. “I?—”

“Maybe we should talk inside,” Noah suggested, stepping forward.

Melanie hesitated, then stepped aside stiffly, her pulse visibly hammering in her throat.

Alex entered first, making a slow sweep of the apartment. “Nice place.”

Noah let the silence stretch before speaking again. “You were in deep with Fairchild, weren’t you, Mel?” His voice was deceptively light, but his eyes bored into hers. “You had a front-row seat to all of it.”

Melanie’s hands trembled slightly as she crossed her arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Noah chuckled, shaking his head. “Come on. You were practically glued to Fairchild’s side. You think we don’t know how much dirt you have on him?”

Her lips parted, her face draining of color.

Noah pressed forward. “So, here’s the thing, we’re about to bring Fairchild in. Whole operation crumbles in less than twenty-four hours.” He took a step closer. “If you’ve got anything to say, now’s your chance.”

Luke stayed completely still, his expression unreadable.

Melanie let out a shaky breath. “I—I don’t?—”

Alex suddenly clapped a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm. “Let’s have a chat, Mel. Just you and me.”

Melanie tensed, looking at Luke, but he didn’t intervene. She hesitated for only a moment before nodding stiffly. Alex gestured toward the other room, leading her away.

Once they were out of sight, Noah turned to Luke, dropping the act immediately. “We need to talk.”

Luke exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. “You played her.”

Noah smirked. “Like a damn violin.”

Luke shook his head, his voice low. “You already know about Dylan, don’t you?”

Noah’s expression turned serious. “Dylan Grant was never alive, Luke. Fairchild made sure of that.”

Luke swore under his breath. “You lied to her.”

Noah leaned in slightly. “And now she’s rattled. Which means she’s going to slip up. And that means we’re about to get exactly what we need.”

Luke sighed, glancing toward the hallway where Alex had taken Melanie. “And what happens when she realizes the truth?”