Page 116 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

"Sue me," Connor replies, dropping into a chair opposite my desk."I'll counter-sue for emotional damage caused by watching you self-destruct."

"I'm not self-destructing.I'm working."

"For thirty-six hours straight," Luke points out, leaning against my credenza."Without food, proper sleep, or human contact.That's not work, it's punishment."

I finally glance up, taking in their concerned expressions.

His dark blond hair strewn all over his head, Connor looks like he hasn't slept much either, his usual immaculate appearance slightly rumpled.

Dar-haired and serious, Luke is watching me with the focused intensity he typically reserves for particularly challenging security breaches.

"I'm managing a crisis," I say flatly."The acquisition is hanging by a thread.The board has called three emergency meetings.And the internet seems pathologically invested in my personal life.Forgive me if I prioritize damage control over social niceties."

"This isn't about social niceties," Connor says."It's about you refusing to answer calls from people who care about you."

"And people who have information you need," Luke adds.

That gets my attention."What information?"

Luke moves to the conference table, opening his laptop."Information about Richard, Duncan MacTavish, and the credential fraud that's got you building walls higher than Hadrian."

I lean back in my chair, arms crossing.“For the record, I’m not interested in discussing Karina.”

"Well, that's unfortunate," Luke replies, typing something into his computer, "because she's only part of a much bigger picture that you're currently missing."

Before I can respond, my office door swings open again, revealing Viktoria Peters on my threshold.

For a second I almost thought it was Karina, the family resemblance is so damn uncanny.

She’s got the same dark eyes as Karina, but with a sharper, more calculating intensity.Her sleek bob and impeccably tailored pantsuit practically scream cybersecurity professional.

"Your assistant tried to stop me," she announces without so much as a ‘hello.’"I told her I'd either come in through the door or through your firewall.She made the sensible choice."

"Ms.Peters," I acknowledge stiffly."I wasn't aware we had an appointment."

"We don't."She strides to the conference table, setting down a laptop of her own."But when someone uses my sister as collateral damage in corporate warfare, I make time in my schedule."

"Your sister committed fraud," I point out.

Viktoria's gaze is razor-sharp."Yes.She did.And Richard Abernathy facilitated it."

I blink, arms uncrossing."Explain."

"Perhaps I should start," Luke interjects."As you know, I've been conducting thorough background checks on everyone associated with the MacTavish acquisition."

"Yes, that's how we discovered Karina's deception," I say impatiently.

"Actually, that's how Duncan MacTavish discovered it," Luke corrects."My investigation revealed something more interesting—evidence that Richard deliberately manipulated the credential verification process during Karina's hiring."

My mind stutters."What?"

"Richard instructed HR to perform only cursory checks on Karina's background," Luke explains, turning his laptop toward me."Here's the email he sent, specifically requesting that Drake Communications and Stellar Digital be verified through their general contact lines rather than HR departments."

I scan the email, recognizing my brother's casual writing style."This doesn't prove anything.He could have been fast-tracking her application because they were dating."

"He was," Viktoria confirms."But look at the dates.This email was sent two days after my sister discovered evidence of his embezzlement and confronted him."

I frown, studying the timestamp."You're suggesting this was deliberate."