Keeley wandered down the seemingly endless hallway until she found the first left turn Cameron had mentioned. How many offices had she passed? She wondered how many directors Hale Investments employed.

Aaron's office featured a fancy titanium plaque next to the door; his name was engraved at the top, with "Chief Executive Officer" underneath in smaller letters. She knocked, hearing a faint "Come in."

He was reviewing paperwork at his desk when she entered, but instantly stood and crossed the room, engulfing her in a hug.

"I can't believe you're actually here!"

She frowned. His tone irked her. She hadn't visited because he'd specifically told her not to, on more than one occasion, throughout their lives.

"I couldn't find a babysitter, and I have some scores to settle," she admitted. "Can the babies stay here for a while? It shouldn't take more than an hour."

Aaron chuckled. "So you were serious about that."

"Of course! Do you have any idea how many people have invaded my privacy these past few weeks?! Ryan deserved it anyway, after what he said last fall, but this is the last straw. No one messes with me and gets away with it."

"If you're going to do this, make sure there are no witnesses," he advised. "I doubt he'd spread it around, given everything he's said, but someone else might if they thought you kicked him for no reason."

Such a supportive husband. Keeley had expected Aaron to dissuade her, considering his dislike of Ryan.

"You're not going to stop me?"

"No, but bring the driver for backup, in case he fights back. That cretin has a habit of grabbing arms," Aaron said dryly.

Keeley wasn't sure how many times Ryan had grabbed her arm while she was leaving. The idea had merit.

"Okay, I will. Love you," she said, kissing his cheek before leaving the twins with him and heading downstairs.

"Love you too!" he called as the door closed.

One of the other executives, exiting his office, overheard his usually formidable boss. He stared at Keeley's retreating back with awe.

"Where to, ma'am?" the driver asked respectfully in the parking garage.

"PharmaGen Labs, please."

The drive took about twenty minutes. Keeley had never been to Ryan's workplace—they'd been close once, but not close enough for that—and she was excited, despite herself. This was a real lab! She'd work somewhere like this someday!

She snapped herself out of it. She was on a mission. Approaching the front desk, she asked to speak to Ryan Bradley urgently. The secretary seemed wary but asked for her name. Wanting to avoid rumors, Keeley silently apologized to Jennica before using her friend's name.

Ryan emerged a few minutes later, his eyes widening. He saw the secretary watching and restrained himself. He offered a strained smile.

"Jennica, how nice. Why don't we step outside?"

Excellent. Outside would have fewer witnesses.

Once out of earshot, the false smile vanished. "What do you want? And who's this guy?"

"He's my driver, but that's irrelevant. I want to know why you thought it was okay to gossip about me to the point I can't leave my house without being mobbed," she said sweetly, with a deadly undertone.

A flicker of guilt crossed his face. "All I did was talk to a couple of coworkers. I had no idea it would blow up like this."

Keeley scowled. His intentions were unclear, but given his grudge…she wouldn't give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Sure, because gossiping is never a bad idea," she said sarcastically.

"Why do you care? Didn't you bring this on yourself by marrying someone infamous?"

She'd considered talking it out until he said that. Her kick was unexpected and powerful; Ryan stumbled backward into a wall.

"Geez, are you crazy?!" he yelled, clutching his leg, eyes watering.

"That's for making the past few weeks hell," she said darkly. "And for being a jerk when I thought you were someone I could trust. We're even now. Mess with me or my family again, and I won't be so merciful."

Her demeanor changed as she smiled at the driver. "Come on, Carlos. I need to pick up Violet and Kaleb."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, as if he hadn't just witnessed his boss's wife kick someone.

That had been surprisingly therapeutic. She didn't usually advocate violence, but it had been a long time coming. She'd been hurt by Ryan's words after all their years of supposed friendship.

Now that he knew what she was capable of, Keeley doubted he'd gossip about her again. Gossiping about someone you held a grudge against was cowardly. She'd dealt with too much of that nonsense in both her lifetimes.

(The promotional text at the end was removed as requested.)