Kyra’s POV

I bolted into the Anderson pack house the second Nathan’s car stopped. The living room came into view, and I spotted Emily perched on the couch with Phoebe beside her.

My heart hammered against my ribcage. After everything I’d been through, situations like this triggered immediate panic. The thought of losing another loved one terrified me to my core.

"Emily, what happened?" I asked, hurrying toward her.

She looked up as I crossed the room and settled on the couch opposite her. Nathan entered and positioned himself on the armrest next to me, his hand coming to rest protectively on my shoulder.

I could sense everything through his touch—concern, support, comfort. Nathan had always been this way. Solid. Dependable. I felt immense gratitude that we’d found our way back to each other.

"Matt told me everything he discovered last night," Emily explained. "Since then, he’s vanished. It’s weird because he usually texts me constantly, annoying me every day."

Something felt off. From what I’d observed, Matt had feelings for Emily. There was no chance he’d disappear without saying anything. My instincts screamed that his father was involved.

"You think his father caught him?" I asked.

Emily shrugged and held up her phone. "I have a recording Matt gave me."

"Play it," I instructed.

She nodded and placed the phone on the coffee table.

[Hello?]

My eyes widened as I exchanged glances with Emily and Nathan. That voice was unmistakable. I’d spoken with him enough times to recognize it instantly.

[Are you sure all the documents are burned?]

My fists clenched automatically. So those were the documents deliberately destroyed?

[Yes, Mr. Foster.]

[She’s still investigating. My son is getting too curious about what’s happening. Make sure Kyra never finds any more evidence of my involvement in her mother’s death. If she brings me down, I’m dragging you with me.]

I closed my eyes tight while Nathan’s hand moved soothingly across my shoulder. The attempt at comfort couldn’t calm the storm brewing inside me now that I had confirmation of Foster’s involvement.

[The documents are gone, Mr. Foster. I made sure of it. Nothing to worry about.]

[Good.]

"That voice belongs to Attorney Lee," I said, meeting Nathan’s eyes.

His forehead creased with worry. "You certain?"

"Absolutely!"

Sylvia growled inside me. "I want to tear his throat out," she snarled.

"We need to be strategic," I reminded her silently.

My mind raced. Why would Attorney Lee burn my house after giving me those documents? He could have destroyed them before contacting me. If he wanted to bury the truth, why seek me out at all?

What was his real motivation?

The recording continued, pulling my attention back.

[Attorney Lee, help me reclaim my company. Stop slacking! I need my position back immediately!]

I knew it! That confirmed everything.

[Sorry, Mr. Foster. I don’t know what Kyra is planning.]

[You don’t know because you cut ties with her!]

[I had to, Mr. Foster. She would’ve gotten suspicious. I can’t lose my job.]

[You’ll definitely lose your job if you don’t help me. I’ll drag you to hell with me, Attorney Lee. Remember, I know what your father did years ago. You’ll lose everything.]

Attorney Lee’s father? My pulse quickened. The kidnapping incident immediately came to mind. Was his father involved in my mother’s abduction?

I inhaled sharply, anger making my clenched fists tremble. He’d manipulated me completely. Had he helped me only to betray me later, or had he genuinely tried to assist before Foster blackmailed him?

It didn’t matter anymore. They both deserved punishment. They deserved to rot in prison for what they did to my mother and to me.

"There’s more, Kyra..." Emily said, eyes fixed on her phone screen.

I steeled myself for whatever revelation was coming next.

[Follow Kyra Monroe. Track everything she does, especially her plans.]

A humorless laugh escaped my lips. The recording ended, leaving us in heavy silence. Phoebe stared at me with evident concern. Emily kept her eyes on her phone while Nathan squeezed my hand.

I contemplated confronting Connor Foster directly, but that would only alert him. The last thing I wanted was to give them an escape route.

"What’s your next move?" Emily asked after studying her phone screen with a sigh.

"I’ll let them think they’re in control."

Emily’s brow furrowed. "Kyra, they’re spying on you. We don’t know who they’ve sent, but you can’t just let Foster do whatever he wants."

I shook my head firmly. "I can’t resist openly. He’d realize I know his plans."

"Matt probably got caught. He must have discovered this plot."

"We can’t be sure about that. For now, I’ll let them watch me while you help identify whoever’s spying on me."

Emily studied me intently before nodding reluctantly.

"I’ll find Matt," I promised, hoping to reassure her.

She shook her head and pursed her lips. "I’m not worried about him. We broke up anyway."

My eyebrows shot up. "You broke up?"

"It wasn’t a serious relationship," she said with a smirk.

Something felt off. Emily had called me recently asking about certain feelings. I knew she had developed feelings for Matt, yet now she acted indifferent. Earlier, she’d sounded genuinely frightened and concerned during our call.

Something had happened, but I recognized it wasn’t my place to push.

"Be careful, Emily," I said, moistening my lip. "I can’t lose another good friend."

She smiled. "I’ll use my father’s resources to identify whoever’s watching you. Trust me on this."

"I do," I replied, turning to Nathan. I squeezed his hand as his worried eyes met mine.

"Do you want to postpone the wedding?" he asked, his expression a mix of concern and disappointment about our current situation.

I felt that disappointment too, but refused to let these complications derail our plans.

"Our world doesn’t stop because of them," I stated firmly. "The wedding proceeds as planned. Rain or shine."