The papers were served at 8:14 a.m.

A plain white envelope. A process server in a cheap suit. And four words that knocked the air from Aria’s lungs:

“You’ve been officially served.”

Dominic read over the documents once. Then again.

Sloane read them three times and swore on the fourth.

Hale hadn’t just gone scorched earth.

He’d filed a federal lawsuit claiming intellectual and financial ownership of Vale Interiors—backed by the original 30% contract from nine years ago, the one Aria had tried to bury.

And worse?

The suit was being filed not just against Aria—but against every active board member. Investor panic was already starting to ripple.

Lila sat in the corner of Aria’s office, pale and shaking. “He told me if I didn’t act, he would. I thought I had more time.”

Aria didn’t look at her. “He was never going to wait.”

Sloane leaned on the desk. “He’s not playing to win. He’s playing to ruin. This isn’t about profit anymore—it’s about you.”

Aria’s fingers tapped the edge of the lawsuit, pulse thudding.

“Okay,” she said. Quiet. Steady. “Then let’s give him exactly what he wants.”

Dominic frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“You said Hale’s sister has access to his cloud, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then we dig until we find what he’s hiding. Because men like Marcus Hale don’t take losses personally unless they’ve got something personal to lose.”

Sloane’s eyes narrowed. “You think there’s a weakness?”

“I think there’s a story he doesn’t want told.”

Dominic understood instantly. “You want to find his skeleton.”

“No,” Aria said. “I want to drag it onstage.”

She turned to Lila. “You still have your press contact?”

Lila nodded. “You want to go public again?”

“No.” Aria’s voice sharpened. “This time, I want to go legal.”

Sloane grinned. “Counterclaim?”

“Counter-attack,” Aria corrected. “Fraud. Extortion. Predatory lending. And if we get lucky? A RICO case.”

Dominic gave a low whistle. “That’s federal prison territory.”

Aria stared down at the lawsuit one more time.

Then tore it cleanly in half.

“Let’s see if Hale still wants to play once he’s the one answering questions.”