"Lidia Hastings," Arizona repeated, her gaze scanning the woman before her.

Lidia's long, blonde hair fell in voluminous waves around her shoulders, contrasting with the deep navy of her tailored coat. The high collar of the coat added an element of sophistication, while her form-fitting pants and dark blouse accentuated her slender figure. Her poised posture and confident demeanor spoke of a woman used to commanding attention.

As Arizona studied Lidia with a blend of curiosity and wariness, a soft knock at the door disrupted the tense silence. Ethan entered cautiously, his eyes darting between Arizona and Lidia as he assessed the charged atmosphere. He cleared his throat, attempting to break the awkward tension.

"I see you’ve met Lidia," Ethan said, his tone attempting to sound casual but betraying a hint of nervousness.

"Yes," Arizona replied tersely, her voice clipped as she remained behind her desk, her posture stiff with tension.

Lidia’s eyes twinkled as she turned her full attention to Ethan. Her voice took on a flirtatious lilt as she gently grasped his arm. “Ethan, we’ve already skipped the pleasantries, haven’t we?”

Ethan, catching the subtle flirtation in Lidia’s tone and touch, cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation back to business. “Lidia has agreed to help us uncover the secrets at the docks.”

Arizona rose from her desk, trying to mask her growing jealousy as she watched Lidia’s hand linger on Ethan’s arm. “How much do you know?”

Lidia’s gaze remained fixed on Ethan, her tone playful but edged with a hint of challenge. “Well, Ethan mentioned the illegal shipments. Though he neglected to inform me that you’re Conrad Lacks’s daughter before I agreed.”

“Oh, Conrad Lacks is my father. If that’s a problem for our plan, you’re welcome to leave,” Arizona replied, her voice cold yet tinged with defiance.

Lidia’s smile remained unchanged, her voice smooth and dismissive. “No, dear. I don’t let such trivial matters impede my progress.”

Arizona took a long drag from her cigarette, her eyes narrowing as she watched the interaction between Lidia and Ethan. Her jaw tightened as she saw Lidia’s hand rest a little too casually on Ethan’s arm. Ethan, clearly uncomfortable, moved closer to Arizona and asked for a cigarette as well.

“How can we trust you?” Arizona’s voice held a note of challenge as she looked at Lidia.

Lidia’s smile was unwavering as she responded, her tone dripping with confidence. “Well, let’s just say Ethan and I have quite the history. I would never betray him, darling. Rest assured.”

Arizona’s jealousy flared as she considered the nature of their relationship. She wondered how deep their connection went and what secrets might lie between them. The sight of Lidia’s easy familiarity with Ethan stirred a mix of frustration and insecurity within her. But Arizona quickly reined in her emotions, reminding herself that this could be their only chance to uncover the truth about the docks.

“What solution do you have in mind, Lidia?” Arizona asked, her voice carefully controlled but still tinged with suspicion.

Lidia met her gaze steadily. “First, I need to see the names in that ledger to understand how deep this goes.”

Arizona sighed, her frustration evident. “My father carries that ledger with him everywhere. It won’t be easy to get it.”

Lidia’s smile remained unwavering, clearly unfazed by the challenge. “That’s a problem you’ll need to handle.”

Arizona's frustration deepened. “Let’s say I manage to get you the names. What then?”

“Then you and Ethan will need to provide evidence of every major shipment your father has orchestrated,” Lidia replied smoothly.

“And don’t forget the illegal ones,” she added, her tone precise and unyielding.

Ethan nodded in agreement. “Everything.”

Arizona’s gaze hardened. “That part should be manageable. But where do you come in?”

Lidia’s expression turned serious. “Once I have the evidence, you”—she pointed directly at Arizona—“will have to terminate every contract your father has. You need to leave him destitute.”

A wave of unease washed over Arizona as she absorbed the gravity of Lidia’s plan. The weight of what was being asked of her felt almost unbearable, but she masked her dread with a curt nod. “Fine.”

“And then,” Lidia continued, “I will ensure that every person on that ledger knows Conrad is a penniless man with a shattered empire.”

“And this way, every ally he has in this town becomes his enemy,” Ethan added, his voice steady.

Arizona swallowed hard, her throat dry. “And what will happen to my father?”
“He’ll most likely end up in prison,” Lidia said, her voice chillingly detached.

Arizona’s face went pale, her fear palpable. “That means death. Many of the prison workers come from the docks. He’ll be nothing more than cannon fodder in there. I can’t send him to his death.” Her voice trembled, laden with the weight of her anguish.

Turning to Ethan, she added with a hint of flirtation, “I told Ethan you’d react like this. Darling, you and I are so different. While you live your life surrounded by gilded windows, Ethan and I have scraped by in the mud, fed by people like your father.”

She paused, her gaze cold. “Any plan that doesn’t involve sending him to prison is doomed to fail. I don’t need a princess when it comes to war.”

. “Is there any way to achieve this without sending him to prison? I don’t mind him going broke, but I can’t bear the thought of him dying. He raised me.”

Lidia’s expression hardened into a smirk of contempt. “You’re a rich girl, Arizona. You wouldn’t understand the depth of our need for revenge. It’s not that simple.”

“No, Lidia,” Ethan interrupted, his tone resolute. “Arizona’s right. There has to be a way to achieve our goals without sending Conrad to prison.”

Lidia’s eyes widened, her surprise evident. “Ethan, are you serious?”

Ethan continued, defending Arizona’s stance while Lidia’s frustration grew. “We need to find a solution that doesn’t involve such extreme measures. Arizona has a point; we have to consider alternatives.”

Arizona, sensing the argument escalating, stepped in decisively. “Will you find a way to handle this if I can guarantee you’ll get your job back at the university?” Her voice was steady, but there was a sharp edge of challenge in her tone.

Lidia’s surprise was palpable. “How do you know about that?” she asked, her composure momentarily faltering.
“Ethan told me,” Arizona responded calmly, her words laced with a quiet authority. Lidia’s eyes shot daggers at Ethan, her anger barely concealed. But Arizona, sensing the shift, continued, regaining her position of dominance in the conversation.

“I can do that, Lidia. I have connections, friends who can make things happen. All I need from you is a guarantee that you won’t send my father to that prison.”

The room was thick with tension. Lidia’s mind raced, weighing her options. Her initial anger began to cool as she considered Arizona’s offer. The prospect of reclaiming her lost position at the university was tempting, almost too tempting to pass up. But agreeing to Arizona’s terms meant letting go of a part of her long-held desire for revenge.
Ethan stood silently beside Arizona, his emotions swirling in a mix of relief and growing admiration. He had seen the fire in Arizona before, but this was something else—a cold, calculated strength that he hadn’t fully recognized until now. As he watched her, he couldn’t help but notice the way her soft features tensed with determination, how her beauty seemed to sharpen in the heat of the negotiation with Lidia. Every part of him was drawn to her, a magnetic pull that made him realize just how deeply she had captivated him, even as the memories of his past with Lidia lingered like a shadow.

Lidia, on the other hand, was wrestling with her own storm of emotions. The sting of Ethan’s betrayal—choosing Arizona’s side over hers—was still fresh, and it fueled a smoldering anger within her. But as she looked into Arizona’s eyes, she saw the resolve that mirrored her own, and it forced her to respect the woman standing before her, even if grudgingly. Finally, she exhaled, her decision made, though her voice had lost its earlier warmth.

“Fine,” she said, her tone icy. “I’ll hold off on the prison plan. But don’t mistake this for anything other than what it is—a calculated compromise.”

Arizona nodded, her relief hidden behind a carefully composed expression. The weight of what they had just agreed to settled over her, but she refused to show it. “That’s all I ask,” she replied, her voice steady, even as her thoughts raced ahead to what would come next.

As the three of them gathered around Arizona's desk, the tension from earlier simmered down into a focused discussion. Arizona leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she considered the possibilities.

"We need to be strategic," Arizona began, her voice steady. "My father is meticulous—he won't just leave the ledger lying around. He carries it with him everywhere. We have to find a moment when he's distracted or vulnerable."

Lidia nodded, her flirtatious demeanor giving way to a more serious, calculating expression. "Does he have any habits, routines? Something predictable we can use to our advantage?"

Arizona thought for a moment. "He tends to meet with certain business associates in the evenings, usually over a drink. When he's deep in conversation, especially when he's discussing something important, he's less cautious."

Ethan chimed in, his tone measured. "What about his office? Does he ever leave it unattended? If we could get in there while he’s out…"

Arizona shook her head. "The office is always locked when he's not in it. And he’s paranoid about security—there’s no easy way in without alerting him."

Lidia leaned back, a thoughtful look on her face. "What about a diversion? Something that forces him to leave the ledger behind, even if just for a moment?"

Ethan glanced at her, then back at Arizona. "That could work. If we create a situation where he needs to act quickly—something urgent enough to make him forget about the ledger for a moment."

Arizona nodded slowly, considering the idea. "We could stage an incident at the docks. Something big enough to demand his immediate attention. If he thinks it’s a crisis, he might leave the ledger behind in his office or with a trusted associate."

Lidia's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "And while he's dealing with the 'crisis,' one of us slips in and takes the ledger. We’ll need someone on the inside, someone who can gain access without raising suspicion."

Arizona looked between Ethan and Lidia. "I can create the distraction at the docks," she said, determination in her voice. "But I need one of you to be ready to move as soon as he’s out of the office."

Ethan spoke up. "I can do it. I know the layout of the office, and I’ve got enough experience in slipping in and out of places unnoticed."

Lidia smiled, though there was an edge to it. "Sounds like we have a plan. I’ll stay close to Conrad during the chaos, keeping him occupied so he doesn’t suspect anything. Once Ethan has the ledger, we meet back here and figure out our next move."

Arizona nodded, the plan solidifying in her mind. "It’s risky, but it’s our best shot. We’ll need to time everything perfectly. One mistake, and we could lose our chance."

Lidia leaned in, her voice low and serious. "Just remember, Arizona, we’re in this together. If this goes wrong, we’re all at risk."

Arizona met her gaze, her expression firm. "I understand. But we’re not going to fail. We’ll get that ledger, and we’ll take down Conrad's empire—without sending him to his death."

Ethan looked at Arizona, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "We’ll make it work. We have to."

With the plan set, they exchanged determined glances. Each of them knew the stakes, but they also knew that this was the only way forward. The ledger was the key to everything, and they were ready to do whatever it took to get it.
.

Lidia’s smile curled at the edges, carrying a hint of mischief. "It sounds like we have a plan," she said, her tone smooth yet calculated. "I’ll stay close to Conrad during the chaos, keeping him occupied so he doesn’t suspect a thing. Once Ethan has the ledger, we’ll meet at my place to figure out our next move."

Arizona and Ethan nodded in agreement, the tension in the room palpable. Lidia stood, adjusting her coat with deliberate grace, her movements slow and calculated. "I’ll leave then. Early day tomorrow," she said, her tone carrying a subtle undercurrent of confidence.

Before leaving, she turned to Ethan, her eyes glinting with a suggestive spark. "You know, Ethan, you're always welcome to swing by my place later. We could... discuss things further." The implication in her words was unmistakable, and Arizona felt a sharp pang of jealousy twist in her chest.

Ethan met Lidia’s gaze with a calm, steady look. "Thanks, Lidia, but I’ve got a lot to prepare for tomorrow," he replied, his voice firm yet courteous. His tone left no room for misinterpretation, but the tension in Arizona's jaw betrayed the simmering resentment she tried to hide.

Lidia’s smile wavered, a flicker of irritation crossing her face before she composed herself. "Suit yourself," she said lightly, though her tone had lost its earlier warmth. As she walked to the door, she paused, casting a final glance over her shoulder at Arizona. "Remember your promise, darling. No tricks."

Arizona forced herself to nod, her expression firm despite the turmoil beneath the surface. "You’ll get what you want, Lidia. Just make sure you hold up your end of the deal." Her words were clipped, the tension in her voice barely contained.

Lidia’s smile returned, but it was cold, devoid of any real emotion. "Of course."