Chapter 18 · Celeste Frames Zaia

The allegations hit forty-eight hours after the press conference.

**FORMER LUNA ACCUSED OF CORPORATE ESPIONAGE — Z DESIGN LINKED TO STOLEN BLACKWOOD TRADE SECRETS**

Zaia read the headline in her office, her coffee going cold. The article cited anonymous sources. Leaked documents. A narrative that painted Z Design as a front for industrial espionage—that she'd used her position as Luna to steal shipping routes, client lists, proprietary algorithms.

It was absurd. It was also dangerous.

"Silverfang is pulling the renewal," Priya said, white-faced. "Henderson put the account on hold. We're hemorrhaging clients."

"On what evidence?" Zaia demanded.

"That's the problem. There is evidence. Documents with your signature—your old signature, from when you were Luna. Shipping manifests. Board minutes. Someone fabricated a trail."

Celeste.

Zaia knew it in her bones. Celeste had access to old files. Celeste had motive. Celeste had Raven.

Elena called. "Don't talk to anyone. I'm sending our legal team. And Zaia—stay away from Blackwood Tower. If Sebastian's involved—"

"He's not." Zaia thought of the bond—Sebastian's fury, his confusion, his *innocence*. "But someone in his orbit is."

That afternoon, pack enforcement arrived at Z Design's offices with a warrant. Zaia's lawyer met them.