Dominic leaned back in his chair, but his voice carried steel. “You think you can blackmail me with tabloid trash?”
“Not blackmail,” Langford corrected smoothly. “An opportunity. Sell me twenty percent of Hale Industries’ transport arm, and I’ll make sure this story dies. Permanently.”
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Ava’s throat went dry. This wasn’t just about her reputation anymore. It was Dominic’s empire. His power. His pride.
And she was the weapon being used against him.
Dominic finally cut the call, his jaw flexing once before he turned to her. “He’ll regret that.”
“Dominic…” Ava’s voice shook. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t—”
“Stop.” He crossed the room in two strides, gripping her shoulders with hands that trembled with contained fury. “This is not your fault. Langfo
