Jude’s fingers tightened around the device Collin had handed him.

Anger simmered in his veins.

If they wanted to play dirty, he would make sure Kylee and Cynthia suffered the same public humiliation.

"Mr. Todd, Miss Russell is ready for you. This way, please," a servant announced, interrupting his dark thoughts.

Jude gave a stiff nod.

His pulse hammered against his ribs.

As he crossed the threshold, his thumb found the hidden switch on the recording device.

He activated it with a silent click.

At that exact moment, a notification flashed on the phone of Collin’s assistant, stationed at Vista Vi.

The assistant’s eyes narrowed at the alert.

He moved swiftly to the master bedroom door.

A quick, sharp knock.

"Mr. Riley," he said through the door. "Jude has activated the device. Should we proceed with the plan?"

"Proceed," Collin’s voice replied, clear and immediate.

Linsey, sitting nearby, looked up at the mention of Jude’s name.

"Jude? What does he have to do with anything?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

Collin simply smiled.

He reached for her hand.

"Come with me to the study," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "All will be revealed."

Linsey bit back her questions and followed him.

In the study, Collin wheeled himself to the large desk.

He opened the laptop.

Linsey stood at his shoulder, watching as his fingers danced across the keyboard.

A few swift commands.

An image flickered to life on the screen.

The view was from a moving camera, closing in on a specific location.

"What is this?" Linsey asked, her forehead creasing.

"Patience," Collin murmured, his eyes fixed on the monitor. "Just watch."

Linsey glanced at him, then back at the screen.

It showed an opulent villa. A servant came into view.

"Mr. Todd," the servant’s voice called out clearly.

Linsey’s eyes widened in sudden understanding.

"This is a recording from Jude? Right now?"

Collin gave a slight nod. "A live feed. This is happening as we speak."

Realization dawned on Linsey’s face.

"So this is the ‘good show’ you promised me?" she exclaimed, a spark of excitement in her eyes as she pointed at the screen.

A beat of silence.

Then her words came out in a rush. "That thing you gave Jude when you met him… it was a recorder! To capture the mastermind behind everything!"

Collin’s lips curved into an appreciative smile.

He nodded again. "Exactly."

Linsey couldn’t contain her admiration. "Alexander, you’re a genius."

Her unexpected praise warmed him.

A genuine smile touched his eyes.

"The best part is yet to come," he said, his voice low. "You might want to sit down for this."

Eager to see the truth uncovered, Linsey turned to fetch a chair.

But before she could take a step, Collin’s hand shot out.

He caught her wrist.

In one smooth motion, he pulled her down onto his lap.

She landed with a soft gasp, now seated across his legs.

Their faces were suddenly close. Too close.

She could feel the solid warmth of his body, hear the steady rhythm of his heart.

A flush heated her cheeks.

"Alexander!" she breathed, startled. "What are you doing?"