Chapter 72: A Name from the Past

The records exchanged between Derek and Noah finally produced a name neither Louis nor Ethan expected: Samuel Reed.

Samuel had worked as a mid-level strategy analyst at Stone Holdings before leaving six months ahead of the collapse. His resignation had seemed ordinary. He moved overseas, joined a consulting firm, and disappeared from Louis's attention.

But Hale Corporation's archived intelligence reports showed that several anonymous tips had been delivered through an email account later linked to a consulting server Samuel used.

Derek called Louis immediately.

"We need to find him."

"Already working on it," Derek said. "He's back in the country."

Samuel had returned three months earlier and was now working independently.

Louis remembered him as competent, quiet, and almost invisible in large meetings. That made him ideal for someone who needed information without attracting attention.

Ethan requested another private meeting. This time, the atmosphere was less hostile.

Noah placed copies of the reports on the table. "Samuel didn't send everything. Some tips came from other sources. But at least four passed through systems connected to him."

Louis asked, "Was he paid?"

"We found a consulting payment from Greyline."

There it was again.

Greyline.

Ethan leaned back. "If he talks, we might finally know whether Victor was directing this or merely connected to it."

They agreed not to approach Samuel directly until they understood his current situation.

Freya learned about the discovery that evening while preparing dumplings.

"Samuel Reed," she repeated.

The name triggered nothing from the novel. That didn't surprise her anymore. The original story had ignored dozens of people who clearly mattered.

"Was he close to you?"

"No."

"Then why would he betray you?"

"Money. Pressure. Career opportunity. Ideology. There are many possibilities."

Freya frowned. "You sound very calm about betrayal these days."

"Practice."

She stopped folding a dumpling and looked at him.

The answer had been casual, but she heard the bitterness underneath.

"For what it's worth," she said, "I don't plan to add to your practice."

Louis looked at her.

Freya immediately returned to the dumplings. "Don't make it dramatic. I'm talking about basic marital ethics."

"Of course."

His voice sounded suspiciously amused.

Later, Freya uploaded a new chapter. L commented: "The heroine's dumpling technique is probably questionable."

Freya stared toward the living room. "Louis!"

"What?"

"Stop using insider information in the comments!"

"The chapter contains dumplings."

"Because I wrote it after dinner!"

Derek, who happened to be on a call with Louis, heard the argument and started laughing.

The investigation around Samuel Reed was serious, but moments like this prevented the apartment from becoming consumed by it.

The next morning, Derek sent a final message: Samuel had booked a meeting with someone from Greyline Partners.

They finally had a chance to see who stood on the other side.

Freya finished the dumplings later that evening and froze several portions for busy days. It was such an ordinary task that she almost laughed at the contrast. Somewhere outside their apartment, men were tracing shell companies and corporate leaks. Inside, she was planning meals and chapter updates. She intended to keep both worlds, no matter how complicated the story became.

For now, they chose patience over confrontation. Every new clue was documented, copied, and checked against the growing timeline. The network had survived for years because its connections were difficult to see. Louis and Freya had no intention of warning anyone that those connections were finally becoming visible.