[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603134E5B19-34":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},34,16,"Chapter 16: The Architect's Signature","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Got it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante understood. If Archer Reynolds, the second son of the Reynolds family – a prominent name in the city, rivaling even the Williams Group – had his background information so easily accessible, it would indeed be suspect.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He lowered his gaze to the documents in his hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Archer Reynolds, second in command of the Reynolds family. His older sister, Annalise Reynolds, was the true brains behind the Reynolds Group.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After high school, he’d jetted off to the University of California. Three years prior, he’d graduated with flying colors, snagging dual degrees in Architecture and Business Management.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That same year, he’d joined the Reynolds Group's American branch as General Manager and even snagged a gig judging an international architectural design competition. Within two years, he’d boosted the American branch’s architectural endeavors to stratospheric heights, crashing the global market and cementing the Reynolds Group's status as a titan of the construction industry worldwide.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, out of the blue six months ago, he’d resigned as President of the American branch, hanging onto his largest shareholder title but dipping out of the front lines.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He’d jetted back home two months ago and slid back into the family biz as a General Manager.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Williams, isn't Archer Reynolds coming back as a GM kind of a downgrade? Why the sudden return?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The assistant was scratching his head. While both were GM roles, in the US, he’d been untouchable, calling all the shots. Back home, Annalise was the CEO. He was just overseeing one department. Plus, the domestic Reynolds Group’s architecture department couldn’t hold a candle to its international operations. Given the current economic slump, the construction sector was in the dumpster.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Could he be back to challenge his sister for the throne?\" The assistant felt like he'd stumbled onto something big.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante shot him a look and declared with certainty, \"Nah. While outsiders see Annalise as a total boss, I know for a fact she’s completely obsessed with her brother. If Archer wanted the group, he wouldn't need to pull any stunts. He'd just have to ask his sister, and she'd probably hand him the keys without a second thought.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But that’s the weird part. There’s no logical reason for him to come back. Keep digging. Dig into everyone around him.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You got it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"One more thing, sir. Take a look at this.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The assistant slid a stack of photos over to Dante. Dante took them, recognizing award-winning entries from exhibition boards, all architectural designs. The style screamed the same architect.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are these the winning entries from the International Architectural Design Competition every year? Who is this person? They’ve placed in the top three for two years running.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante nodded, impressed. It was seriously killer. Nailing an award in that competition once was tough; this person had pulled it off for two years straight.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir, each photo has the photographer's credit at the bottom.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What’s your point?\" Dante asked, a little antsy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under his stare, the assistant knew better than to drag it out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir, look at the signature below. Does it ring any bells?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante’s eyes flicked to the signature on the design drafts in the photos. He blinked, then blinked again. It was the exact same signature as the one on his divorce papers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She… what school did she graduate from again?\" Dante muttered, reaching for Celine's file, but the assistant blurted it out first.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ivy University’s Architecture Department. Mrs. Williams was a top-tier student from a prestigious program…\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He trailed off, sensing Dante’s laser focus. The assistant made a hasty excuse and bailed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So, Celine had been competing in architectural design contests while taking care of him, even snagging first place multiple years in a row.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This meant Celine and Archer had known each other for ages.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Wait, that wasn’t right. Celine had barely left the house during their three years together. Those design drafts must have been submitted online.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Therefore, Archer had probably known about Celine for a while, maybe even low-key investigating her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Did he come back for Celine? What was his angle?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine never saw it coming – Dante asking her out for dinner, just the two of them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Despite being clueless about his motives, she felt an almost magnetic pull and agreed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The private dining room was legit. Hand-painted classical bas-reliefs adorned the walls, bathed in strategically placed lighting that created a super cozy, atmospheric vibe.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even though the restaurant was buzzing, the moment the door clicked shut, the outside noise became a whisper.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before the food even hit the table, Dante seized the moment, pulling out her file and handing it over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When it came to her past, it was better to just rip the band-aid off. After all, they’d known each other for years. Even if Celine didn't remember him now, he still trusted her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This has all your deets. I bet a lot of it is news even to you now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante poured her some coffee and motioned for her to dive into the documents first.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You said you don't know me? After reading this, you'll see a lot of discrepancies. Then you'll get why I know you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine hesitated, her eyes fixed on the file.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was on the fence about opening it. Her gut screamed no. Her past self must have been super sure about wiping everything clean.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But the curiosity was gnawing at her. Why? Why had she chosen to forget?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante didn't interject, letting her call the shots.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Watching her waver, then finally reach out and crack open the file, Dante felt an inexplicable wave of relief wash over him.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272932302]