“What a ridiculous thing to say, Fred!”

Bethany’s eyes widened, her disbelief amplifying the echo of his words in her ears. For a man like him—so self-assured, so calculating—he truly lived by the most absurd playbook she’d ever encountered.

Crossing her arms, she pursed her lips. “Oh! Okay. Is this your grand plan? For someone so smart, this is the most idiotic idea I’ve ever heard.”

Fred’s jaw tightened, his fingers crumpling the documents in his hands. The sharp sound filled the room, each crackle underscoring his mounting frustration.

Bethany’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. Watching him crumble felt like a small victory.

“You thought you could fool me,”...