UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 21

Lisa laughed, low and edged with mockery.

“Ethan, you’re awfully impatient. Fine—here’s a hint. Mr. Cole’s been signing a deal with a subsidiary of NovaStar Group. There are a few shady clauses, and they’re on his personal computer. Get them, and he’ll keep his mouth shut.”

“How do I get them?”

I pressed, my heartbeat quickening.

“That depends…”

She paused, her voice turning sultry. “On how good you are. Come to my place tonight. I’ll teach you a few ‘tricks.’”

After the call, my heart pounded like a drum. Lisa’s words were a fog—I couldn’t tell if she was helping me or setting another snare.

But I had no way back.

That night, I went to Lisa’s apartment, a luxury condo on the edge of the city.

She wore a sheer black robe, curves ghosting under the light, red lips parted in a sly, foxlike smile.

“Ethan, bold of you to show up.”

She handed me a drink, her fingers sliding over my hand, making my throat go dry.

I took the glass and forced myself to stay steady.

“Lisa, how do I get into Mr. Cole’s computer?”

She leaned in, her body pressing to mine, soft and warm against my arm. “What’s the rush? I said we should have some fun first.”

Her lips found mine—hot, wet. Her hand slipped under my shirt, nails tracing my skin, sending a shiver up my spine.

Reason struggled against a flood of heat. Her perfume, the softness of her touch—like a drug I couldn’t resist.

Just as I was about to lose control, my phone buzzed. Sara’s name lit the screen.

I shoved Lisa away, breath ragged, and answered.

“Ethan, where are you?” Sara’s voice trembled, like she was holding something back.

“I…” I hesitated, then lied. “Working late at the office.”

She went silent for a few seconds, then her voice turned cold.

“Don’t lie to me. I know you’re at Lisa’s. Don’t sink any deeper. Come back.”

The line went dead. My chest felt like it had been hit with a hammer.

Lisa smiled beside me, all silk and provocation. “Well, well. Sara does care. Ethan, who do you choose?”

I gritted my teeth and pushed her away. “Game’s over, Lisa. I’ll find leverage on Mr. Cole myself.”

She blinked, then laughed again, mocking and amused.

“You’re still green. But I like that stubborn streak. Fine, here’s an address. Mr. Cole’s computer is there. Whether you dare to go—that’s on you.”

She handed me a slip of paper. An address—Mr. Cole’s private office.

I took it, heart thundering like it would explode.

Leaving Lisa’s place, I felt a kind of exhaustion I’d never known.

Sara’s disappointment, Lisa’s temptation, Chase’s warning—three mountains on my chest.

But I knew I had to move.

Mr. Cole’s office was in an unremarkable building downtown. At eleven, I slipped inside. The guards were off; the halls were as silent as a tomb.

Following Lisa’s directions, I found his office. Electronic lock. I swiped the keycard she’d given me.

The room smelled of cigars. A few bottles of whiskey lined the desk. The computer screen glowed faintly.

I opened a filing cabinet and pulled a few encrypted documents, my pulse pounding like a drum.

That’s when the door swung open. Mr. Cole stood there, eyes cold as knives.

“Ethan, you’ve got some nerve.” His voice was low, threaded with menace.

My heart lurched. The flash drive almost slipped from my fingers.

This time, I might have gone too far.

Leverage