The deck fell silent as the liquid spread across the expensive wood beneath my feet. I looked down briefly, then back at her with calm precision.

“I will take care of it,” I said quietly as I brought my phone back up.

“Good girl,” she replied while turning away dismissively.

“I am making a call,” I continued, my thumb hovering over a contact labeled with my chief legal officer’s name. “To clean everything up.”

The sun intensified as tension filled the air, and I waited because timing mattered more than emotion. Logan looked irritated and asked who I was calling, clearly expecting something trivial.

“I am calling the owners of this vessel,” I answered calmly.

Franklin laughed loudly and claimed ownership, but I corrected him by explaining the loan structure and rising interest rate tied to his agreement. His expression froze instantly as realization began creeping into his thoughts.

Vivienne interrupted angrily and shoved me without warning, causing me to stumble dangerously close to losing my balance. Logan shouted her name but remained seated, unwilling to step in.