They flew by private jet. Wolfe said little, just read from a digital dossier and occasionally glanced at her as if weighing what she didn't say. Evelyn wore black, low heels, and no makeup—her armor.
The car that picked them up from Logan Airport was unmarked. The driver said nothing.
"What exactly are we doing here?" she asked.
"Rhys Kellan lives off-grid. Has for years. But he built this empire with me. If Shaw was selling intel, Kellan would've known. Or worse—approved it."
"Why would he sabotage his own legacy?"
Wolfe stared ahead. "Power changes people. Especially the ones who never had any to begin with."
They pulled up to a converted church at the edge of the city. Ivy swallowed most of the stone. The place looked abandoned, but Wolfe walked straight to a rusted iron door and entered a code.
Inside was a lab. Stark, quiet, humming with cold light and sharper secrets. And sitting at a console, like a monk with a motherboard, was Rhys.
He didn't turn.
"Alexander," he said softly. "I was wondering when you'd come."
Wolfe stepped forward. "You were supposed to be out. Done. Why the leak?"
Rhys turned slowly, his pale face unreadable. "I didn't authorize Shaw. But I didn't stop him either."
Evelyn stepped forward. "So you wanted him caught."
A faint smile. "I wanted you tested."
Wolfe stiffened.
"You're building something new, Alex," Rhys said. "I saw the files. The offshore shell company. The encrypted R&D logs. You're preparing for a future that doesn't include me."
"You walked away."
"No," Rhys said coldly. "You shut me out."
A long silence followed.
Then Rhys looked at Evelyn. "You'll help him build it. But know this—he doesn't let go of control. Not ever."
Evelyn didn't blink. "Neither do I."
They left in silence, the wind colder than before.
Back on the jet, Wolfe didn't speak. But Evelyn could feel the war inside him.
She was no longer just an employee.
She was in the middle of a fracture that had started long before her—and she had no idea which side of it she belonged on.