The Burden of the Crown Adrian did not merely possess wealth. He was the actual, living embodiment of it.

Julian stayed late with Maya, acting as her lookout while she hacked into Sterling's private directory. The tension in the dark office was suffocating. Every creak of the building made them jump.

As the progress bar on Maya's screen ticked to 95%, the heavy glass doors to the office suite clicked open.

"Someone's here," Julian hissed, pulling Maya down beneath the desk.

Footsteps echoed on the linoleum. Heavy, expensive leather shoes.

"I know you're here, Maya," Marcus Sterling's voice rang out, slick and dangerous. "IT alerted me when someone tried to breach my files."

Julian felt Maya trembling beside him. He reached out in the dark, grabbing her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. Her grip was desperate, terrified.

Sterling stopped right in front of their cubicle. He looked down, smirking as he saw them huddled under the desk.

"Well, well. The firebrand and the new guy," Sterling sneered. "Playing detective?"

Julian stood up, pulling Maya up behind him. He stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body. The mild-mannered "Jules" vanished. Julian squared his shoulders, his eyes turning to chips of black ice.

"Step back, Marcus," Julian commanded. The sheer authority in his voice made the VP flinch involuntarily.

Sterling quickly recovered, laughing cruelly. "You think you can intimidate me, clerk? I've already transferred the funds. And I've already triggered an internal audit alert to Vanguard headquarters. The alert states that you, Maya, have been manipulating the books. You have access. You have motive. I'm framing you, sweetheart. By tomorrow morning, Julian Vanguard's lawyers will have you in federal custody."

Maya let out a choked gasp.