Villain Ch 1635. Please Don't Remind Us
James answered before Noah could. "Because Bell's wife's family has pull. Political, corporate. The kind of influence that makes rumors dangerous."
Noah nodded. "Exactly. Bell didn't tell Liam and Darren though. Probably too proud. I didn't tell them either."
Allen's jaw tightened—not from frustration, but control. This was exactly how he planned it. The pawns were finally moving, just like he wanted. And now? They were exactly where they needed to be. Right on the board, exposed, twitching, thinking they had agency.
While the real player smiled quietly in the dark.
"She's isolating them," he spoke. "Letting them burn bridges just slow enough that they think they're still holding the match."
James looked across the table. "You look like you've seen this before."
"I've lived it," Allen replied.
