Chapter 6: Collision and Confrontation

The beautiful, modern lobby of Lycos International was busy with activity as Raven Blake strode through its doors. Dressed in her lovely tailored suit, she moved with confidence, but her heart was pounding. She had managed to arrange a meeting with a mid-level executive at Lycos—an opportunity to press for answers. Her footsteps kept sounding as she walked towards the receptionist, who rarely looked up at her. "Do you have an appointment with him?" "Yes," Raven said, her voice steady. "With Martin Laird." The receptionist nodded, typing rapidly before moving to the elevator. "Eighteenth floor. He'll meet you in the conference room." Raven's stomach turned as the elevator climbed. She wasn't sure what to expect, but she needed to start settling the level of deceit surrounding Lycos and her father's work. The doors slid open, revealing a glass-walled conference room where Martin Laird, a polite and straight-up man in his late forties, waited with a lovely smile. "Ms. Blake," Martin greeted her, extending a hand. "It's a pleasure." Raven shook his hand firmly, taking a seat across from him. "Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Laird. I'll go straight to our major conversation. Lycos International is under scrutiny for its questionable research practices, particularly regarding genetic experiments. Care to comment?" Martin's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he leaned back, his expression cool. "Lycos operates with the highest ethical standards. Any rumors to the contrary are baseless." Raven pulled out a file, laying it on the table. "This is a preliminary report tying Lycos to off-the-books research projects. My father's name appears in these documents. I want to know why." Martin's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. "Your father's involvement was voluntary. Perhaps you should be asking why he kept secrets from you." The jab struck a nerve, but Raven held her ground. "Don't deflect. If Lycos has nothing to hide, you won't mind explaining these expenditures." She slid another document across the table. Martin's demeanor shifted, his polite facade cracking. "I don't take kindly to baseless accusations, Ms. Blake. You're treading on dangerous ground." Before Raven could respond, Martin stood abruptly, his voice rising. "This meeting is over. I suggest you leave before you regret it." The door to the conference room opened, and Killian Thorne entered. His presence was commanding, his tailored suit emphasizing his broad shoulders and sharp features. His calm yet authoritative aura filled the room. "Is there a problem?" Killian asked, his voice even but carrying an unmistakable edge. Martin stepped back, visibly uneasy. "No problem at all, Mr. Thorne. Ms. Blake was just leaving." Killian's gaze shifted to Raven, his penetrating and scary blue eyes fixed onto hers. "Ms. Blake, is that true?" Raven stood, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Not exactly. I was asking questions, Mr. Laird didn't seem inclined to answer." Killian's lips curved into a faint smile. "Martin, I'll handle this. You're dismissed." Martin hesitated but eventually nodded, casting a glare at Raven before leaving the room. Once they were alone, Killian closed the door and turned to face her. "You have a habit of trying to increase the tension in things," Killian said, his tone unreadable. "And you have a habit of covering things up," Raven shot back. "What exactly is Lycos hiding?" Killian's smile faded. "Be careful, Ms. Blake. Curiosity can be dangerous." Raven stepped closer, refusing to be intimidated. "I've dealt with threats before. If Lycos has nothing to hide, then prove it." For a moment, neither spoke. The air between them was electric, charged with a mix of challenge and something unspoken. Finally, Killian sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're relentless," he said. "I can't fault you for that. But some truths are better left buried and untold." "That's not your call to make," Raven replied. Killian watched her for a moment without uttering anything, his expression unreadable. "I admire your courage, that I do, but don't think you are invincible to be touched or get to." Raven crossed her arms. "Are you threatening me?" "No," Killian said quietly. "I'm warning you." To her surprise, Killian stepped back and gestured to the documents she had brought. "Leave these with me. I'll review them personally." Raven hesitated. "Why should I trust you?" "You shouldn't," he said, a wry smile playing on his lips. "But you're out of options." Reluctantly, Raven handed over the file. "I'll expect answers soon." Killian nodded. "You'll have them." As she left the room, her mind raced. Killian Thorne was far more enigmatic than she had anticipated. His warning kept playing in her mind, but so did the tension between them. Something about him didn't make her settled, yet she couldn't deny the pull she felt. That evening, Raven returned to her apartment, her heart still pounding, and she was still not settled from her experience at Lycos for the day. She double-checked the locks on her doors and windows, but The feeling of being watched continued. As she settled onto her couch, her phone rang. The message was from an unknown number: "Stay away from Lycos, or you'll regret it." Her blood ran cold. She glanced at the shattered balcony door, the memory of the break-in still fresh. Whoever was behind this wasn't ready to stop anytime soon. Unknown to her, Killian stood in his office, looking closely at the file she had left behind. His expression was grim as he uttered to himself, "She's in this deeper than she knows."