Chapter 987

"Shea, I wish I could help, but this isn't something I can solve for you. You've got to take charge of your own situation," Finley said gently.

Shay looked up, disbelief clouding her features. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice.

"You could turn state's witness, Shea."

"No way!" Shay shot back, her refusal firm and immediate.

Letting go of Finley's hand, Shay dropped her gaze, falling into silence.

Finley's voice softened further, "Shea, don't you want to be with me?"

Slowly, Shay lifted her head, torn with indecision.

"This is your last chance, Shea. You know what your mom's tangled up in. If they find out you knew and were involved, you know what the consequences will be."

Shay ran a hand through her hair, anxiety gnawing at her insides.

Finley pressed, "This is your only shot. If you're really involved, do you think my mom would ever approve of us?"

Mentioning Finley's mom made Shay's blood boil. That woman always looked down her nose at her, like some kind of queen.

If she found out about this, it would be all over.

"Finley, let me mull it over."

"Alright, take your time. I've got to head out." Finley stood to leave. Shay wanted to

call him back, but the door was already swinging open.

She sank back into her seat, watching him leave with a heart full of longing.

...

Finley sauntered into Oliver's office.

"Oliver, I've gone out on a limb helping you guys this much. Once this is wrapped up, make sure your sister-in-law tells me where Livia is."

Finley sprawled across the couch, grinning at the thought of success.

"We'll talk once you've pulled it off," Oliver replied, eyes glued to his paperwork.

Finley sat up, brewed a cup of coffee, and picked up a golf club to practice his swing.

"Shay's still mulling it over. She's really scared of crossing Sydney," he remarked. Oliver looked up. "It's not Sydney she's scared of; it's the power behind him. If it doesn't work out, don't stress."

Finley set the club down, taking a seat across from Oliver.

"And you still sent me in? Think I'm that charming?" Finley sighed.

Oliver had tasked him with coaxing secrets from Shay.

"Your charm's got nothing on freedom. Shay sees you as her ticket out," Oliver said, hitting the nail on the head.

A sly smile crept onto Finley's face.

श्री

"You're getting craftier, Oliver. You dangle a bit of hope, send me to sway Shay, and now you tell me might not even work. You're just squeezing every last drop off use out of me! You and your wife are quite the team!"

Oliver, unfazed, focused on one word: "wife." It brought an involuntary smile to his lips.

"So, you'd better think hard about

bet

how to make it work," Oliver, twirling a pen his lips curling. knowing smile.

Josefina was barely out of the school gate when Oliver's call came through.

"Josie, I'm waiting for you at our usual spot near the school."

Josefina slipped into the car as the door swung open.

As the driver pulled away, Oliver unveiled a spread of takeout.

"Josie, you must be starving. Have a bite to tide you over."

"Oliver, isn't this a bit much? You've got enough food here to feed an army."

"Nah, it's not too much. I wasn't sure

what you're into these days, soc a bit of everything They

warm, try some."