Chapter 49: The Name on the Report

Derek arrived at Northstar's office Friday morning carrying information Louis had been waiting for. "We found another connection in the original collapse." He placed a thin report on the desk. "One of the internal leaks wasn't connected to Hale or Knox."

Louis opened the file. The name on the first page made his expression change. Victor Shaw.

Victor had worked beside Louis's father years earlier and later served as a senior adviser within Stone Holdings. He had known the family for decades. More importantly, he had access to strategic information during the months before the collapse.

"You're certain?" Louis asked. "Not completely. But a shell consultancy received payments shortly before three confidential investment plans reached competitors. The consultancy ultimately connects to someone in Victor's family office."

Louis read every page. Victor had publicly supported him until the final week, then disappeared when creditors moved in. At the time, Louis had considered it cowardice. Betrayal was different.

"Don't approach him," Louis said. "Watch first." Derek nodded. "There's something else. Victor has been asking about you recently."

"Through whom?" "Former executives. He wants to know whether you're meeting investors."

Louis closed the file. Another piece of the collapse was beginning to look deliberate.

At home, Freya was researching narrator samples when she received an unexpected message from Serena Wells. Serena had obtained her number through a mutual event contact and asked whether Freya wanted coffee sometime.

Freya stared at the invitation. Becoming friends with the female lead seemed like exactly the kind of decision that could awaken dormant plot disasters.

She replied politely that she was busy with deadlines but could meet another week. Serena accepted without pressure.

When Louis came home, Freya mentioned it. "Serena asked me for coffee." His attention shifted immediately. "Why?" "Apparently because we spoke twice and she thinks I'm tolerable."

"You don't have to meet her." "I know. But avoiding her forever would look stranger than having coffee."

Louis agreed reluctantly. Freya noticed his distraction. "Something happened today." It wasn't a question.

He looked at her. "Why do you think that?" "You're holding your shoulders differently."

Louis almost laughed at the irony. He had spent weeks analyzing how much Freya had changed, and she had apparently learned to read him just as closely.

"I found evidence that someone I trusted may have helped cause the collapse," he said.

Freya didn't ask for a name. She simply set aside her phone. "Are you sure?" "Not yet." "Then don't decide before you know."

"You don't want details?" "If you want to tell me, you will." She paused. "But betrayal makes people want immediate answers. Sometimes waiting gives you better ones."

Louis looked at her quietly. That was exactly why he had ordered Derek not to confront Victor.

Freya returned to reviewing narrator samples, giving him space without making the moment awkward. Louis sat nearby with the report still in his bag. Weeks ago, he wouldn't have told her even that much. Now, sharing a fragment of the problem had come naturally.

Neither of them knew Victor Shaw's name would eventually connect Louis's hidden war to something much closer to Freya's inherited past.

After Freya went to bed, Louis reopened Victor's report. He had learned long ago that business enemies were easier to handle than trusted people who changed sides. Competitors declared what they wanted. Betrayers smiled while preparing the knife. He turned to the payment timeline again, determined to learn why Victor had acted before deciding what punishment, if any, the betrayal deserved.

The situation was far from resolved, but neither Freya nor Louis had reached this point by rushing blindly into the next move. For now, they would keep working, watching, and gathering what they needed. The larger game could wait another day.