CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE – AFFAIR IN THE OFFICE

Hanging up, Joan stared out the window, watching as the first rays of sunlight painted the sky. She had a feeling things were about to get a lot more complicated. Joan paced in her office, waiting for Alessandro to arrive. When he finally entered, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest despite the gravity of the situation. "Joan," Alessandro said, his voice low and concerned. "What's happened?" She quickly filled him in on Daniel's suspicious behavior and Zoe's report. Alessandro's face darkened as she spoke. "This is a serious threat," he said, moving closer to her. "We need to handle this carefully." Joan nodded, unconsciously leaning into his proximity. "I know. But how? We can't just... eliminate him." Alessandro's lips quirked in a half-smile. "As tempting as that might be, no. We need a more subtle approach." They spent the next hour strategizing, their heads bent close together over Joan's desk. As they worked, Joan couldn't help but be aware of Alessandro's sc