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Blake’s expression didn’t change. “After Ruth called me about your arrest, it wasn’t hard to connect the dots. Agents don’t act on tips like this without a push from someone above them.”

Noah clenched his jaw. It was exactly what he’d suspected. Someone wanted him in that interrogation room, and they wanted it to look official. “Whoever’s setting me up isn’t finished,” he said grimly.

Blake gave a small, knowing nod, but before he could respond, the door behind them burst open.

Dylan Grant strode in like a storm rolling through, his expensive shoes sliding against the floor, his expression a mix of fury and disbelief. “Ruth,” he snapped, eyes locking onto her like a laser. “Matt filled me in. What the hell were you thinking?”

Ruth’s posture stiffened. “Excuse me?”

“You’re a junior attorney.” Dylan’s voice was low, controlled, but the heat in it was unmistakable. “You don’t just waltz in and take on a federal case like this. You should have gone to Matt Brandt for permission. There’s a way things are done here.”

Noah felt his blood heat, but he held his tongue, watching Ruth carefully. He knew her well enough to recognize the way her fingers curled slightly, the way she squared her shoulders—a silentdo not test mewarning.

But Dylan wasn’t done. “You are incapable of defending a high-profile federal case, and it’s reckless of you to think otherwise.”

Noah tensed his fists against his pants pockets. Ruth wasn’t incapable of anything.

Before he could say a word, a voice cut through the tension like a blade: “Enough.” Blake. His tone was calm, but the authority behind it was absolute. Dylan’s mouth snapped shut as he turned his full attention to his law partner, standing slowly from his chair.

“I appreciate your concern for the firm’s reputation, Dylan, but Ruth is more than capable of handling this case.” His voice was like steel wrapped in silk—controlled, but undeniable. “If it even becomes a case. So far, Mr. Kandor has only been questioned, and Ruth ensured his rights were protected.” He glanced at Noah. “He will sign a retainer, and we will bill him for three hours of time. If charges are filed, I will be her co-counsel.”

Dylan blinked, stunned. “You’ll—what?”

Blake didn’t flinch. “You heard me. Now, unless there’s something else, I suggest you move on.”

Noah watched, oddly satisfied as Dylan’s mouth opened, then snapped shut. With a tight nod, he muttered, “Fine, but, Blake, I warned you.”

The door clicked shut behind him, and just like that, Blake turned back to them as if nothing had happened. “Now, where were we?”

Noah exhaled sharply. “The situation.”

And he laid it out—the arrest, the interrogation, the anonymous tip, every piece of the puzzle that didn’t quite fit. Blake listened, his expression unreadable. When Noah finished, Blake leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen once more.

“We’ll need to cover our bases. Ruth, have Noah sign a retainer, and we’ll subpoena the phone records regarding the tip. Also,” he added, “see if you can get a copy of everything your brother-in-law is subpoenaing. I assume he’ll cooperate?”

Ruth smirked. “Ethan? He’s honest, and he likes Noah. He’ll cooperate.”

Blake let out a soft chuckle. “That’s something, at least.” His sharp eyes met Noah’s. “Mr. Kandor, we’re going to be here a while. Take a seat. Let’s run through everything again.”

Noah sighed. “This may be more than three billable hours.”

Ruth sat across from him, guiding him through the retelling. The pressure in Noah’s chest never fully eased, but at least now, there was motion—something real happening instead of just waiting for the next hit.

Then Blake raised a hand, cutting her off. “I’ll assist Ruth, but this is her case,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “She’ll set the fee, and you’ll sign with her.”

Ruth shook her head. “I’m not charging Noah a cent.”

Blake chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah, young love. You two need to remember there are cameras and eyes everywhere.”

Noah didn’t respond. He knew better than to fight Ruth on this, but he also knew what was at stake.

Blake slid a document across the desk. “Mr. Kandor, your fee is one dollar. Sign here. It locks down the contract.”

Noah picked up the pen and signed, his grip a little tighter than necessary. “Thank you,” he said, the moment pressing in.

Blake didn’t smile. “Before you leave—my best advice? Don’t go home.”

Noah frowned. “Why not?”