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Chapter 7 - Unmasked

"Linda," Dominic said, his tone devoid of its usual intimidating bite, though still rich with commanding gravity.

She flinched, looking up slowly. Her eyes were glassy, filled with a preemptive surrender. "Yes, Mr. Gallow?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly.

Linda blinked, her breath catching in her throat. "Tell... tell you what, sir?"

"About Leo," Dominic replied, watching her expression fracture.

The color completely drained from Linda’s face. She stumbled backward half a step, her caddy rattling against the baseboard. For a second, panic flashed violently in her eyes—the primal fear of a cornered animal realizing her deepest secret had been exposed to the most dangerous man in the city.

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"You... you followed me," she whispered, her voice breaking into a dry sob. She dropped her gaze, her shoulders shaking. "Please. Please don't fire me. I know I shouldn't have asked for the advance, I know I broke the rules, but I didn't have anywhere else to turn! The insurance dropped us, the bills kept piling up, and... and he's all I have left in this world. Do whatever you want to me, Mr. Gallow, just... just don't take away my job. I'll pay back every penny, I swear it—"

She choked on her own words, covering her face with her hands as silent, wracking sobs tore through her frail frame.

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