Page 112

“You thought you were untouchable,” he mused, his voice deceptively calm. “But now, your empire is gone. Your allies? All in custody. Your money? Seized. And you?” He smirked. “You’re just another criminal in cuffs.”

Fairchild exhaled, shaking his head. “I underestimated you.”

Noah leaned in. “Everyone underestimates me.”

Fairchild smirked despite the pain. “You think you’ve won?”

Noah’s expression darkened. “I don’t think, Fairchild. I know.” He stood up, adjusting his jacket. “Enjoy the rest of your miserable life behind bars.”

And with that, he walked out—leaving Fairchild to rot.

* * *

1:30 PM – On the Road Back to Blackwell Institute

Noah sat in the SUV beside Alex, watching the city fade in the rearview mirror. Alex let out a slow breath. “It’s over.”

Noah shook his head. “Not yet.”

Alex frowned. “You really think there’s still someone else out there?”

Noah’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “The bomb in Ruth’s car.”

Alex exhaled sharply. “It wasn’t Fairchild.”

Noah’s voice was grim. “No. It wasn’t.”

“Then I guess we’re not done.”

Noah’s jaw tightened. He wouldn’t be done until Ruth was safe. Not until she could finally open her eyes without fear.

Because someone else was still out there. And Noah was going to find them.

* * *

Blackwell Institute – 3:30 PM

The long drive back to Blackwell felt heavier than it should have. The battle was won, but the war wasn’t over. Fairchild was in cuffs, his empire had crumbled, and the entire state’s justice and political system had been gutted from the inside out. But there were still unanswered questions—questions that clawed at the back of Noah’s mind.The bomb in Ruth’s car.

Fairchild hadn’t ordered it. Neither had Melanie. Which meant someone else was still out there. And until Noah knew who, he wouldn’t rest. But for now, they had made it back.

Alex barely had time to get out of the car before Charlotte was there, her arms wrapping around him in a bone-crushing hug. She held on to him like she was afraid he’d disappear again if she let go.

“Damn it, Alex,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I hate when you do this.”

He smirked against her hair. “What, save the state from corruption?”

Charlotte pulled back just enough to smack him lightly on the shoulder. “Scare the hell out of me,” she corrected, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

His expression softened, and for a rare moment, Alex let the walls drop. “I’m here, Char,” he murmured. “I’m fine.”

She cupped his face, searching his eyes the way only a partner could. Then she exhaled shakily and pulled him into another hug. “I love you, Alex.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Love you too, Char.”

Izzy stood a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes locked on Brad like a hawk.

Brad grinned, hands raised in mock surrender. “I know that look.”