Dario crossed his legs, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "Become what exactly? Blinded by lust? Or unable to tell right from wrong?"

Both thoughts crossed Maverick's mind, but he kept them to himself.

Dario studied Maverick's expression and smiled, a knowing curve of his lips. "But why do I feel like the one who's blinded and can't tell right from wrong isn't me, but someone else?"

Before Maverick could formulate a response, Dario continued smoothly, "Also, the student my mentor values most isn't me. It's someone else entirely. Mr. Harris, you're giving me far too much credit."

Maverick felt a flicker of surprise. Even after bringing up Malcolm, Dario showed no hint of remorse or concern. Not even a ripple of discomfort crossed his composed features.

Dario wasn't interested in playing this game any longer. He shifted forward in his seat and stated firmly, "If you can't bear to watch and want to seek justice on behalf of Ms. Crystal, then you're free to terminate our contract." His voice cooled several degrees. "Of course, the condition is that you'll have to compensate DataPulse for the corresponding losses."

Maverick was taken aback. He'd approached Dario with what he considered reasonable concerns, attempting to be diplomatic and professional. But Dario had been defensive and hostile from the moment he'd mentioned Niall, and now he was threatening to dissolve their partnership entirely. It seemed wildly disproportionate.

"Mr. Reid," Maverick said, pressing his lips together, his tone serious, "please don't act on impulse—"

"I'm not," Dario interrupted, meeting his gaze directly. "I'm dead serious."

The words hung in the air between them. Maverick was momentarily stunned into silence.

There was something unsettling about Dario's gaze—cold, distant, yet completely resolute. Maverick realized with a jolt that Dario wasn't bluffing. He would genuinely end their lucrative partnership over this.

All because Maverick had spoken a few words on Niall's behalf? Was this level of reaction truly necessary?

The more serious Dario became, the more Maverick felt he was witnessing something childish and petty masquerading as business principle. A grown man acting like someone had taken his favorite toy.

Maverick tightened his lips, ready to press the point further, but Dario had already disengaged. He stood up, signaling that the conversation was over.

"Since you have no interest in discussing business today, I won't keep you any longer," Dario said coldly. "Ramona, please show him out."

"Mr. Reid!" Maverick called out, unwilling to leave things this way.

Dario turned back with a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Mr. Harris, you really do care about someone else's girlfriend. I wonder if Mr. Dennis knows how concerned you are about Ms. Crystal?"

The implication froze Maverick in place. His gaze dropped involuntarily, and his voice softened. "Ms. Crystal and I have a working relationship. She seemed genuinely willing to resolve the conflict between you two, so I couldn't help but try to talk you around, that's all."

"Oh? Is that so?" Dario's tone made it clear he didn't entirely believe Maverick's explanation, but since Maverick wasn't admitting to anything more personal, Dario seemed uninterested in digging deeper.

"I'm not in the mood to discuss business anymore," he stated flatly. "Mr. Harris, please leave."

"Mr. Reid!" Maverick tried once more.

"Ramona, see him out." Dario's tone left no room for further discussion.

Maverick realized that continuing to push would be futile. He gave Dario one final, searching look before turning and walking away, his steps measured despite his inner frustration.

Outside DataPulse's offices, Maverick spotted Niall still waiting patiently nearby. He paused, uncertain whether to approach her.

Niall looked up, noticing him. "Mr. Harris, done with your meeting so soon?"

He hesitated before replying, "Yeah." After a moment, he added, "I just spoke with Mr. Reid. He knows you're out here waiting for him, but he doesn't seem interested in seeing you. Ms. Crystal, maybe you should go back for now."

Niall shook her head firmly. "This matter is extremely important to me. I still want to try and see Mr. Reid. Don't worry about me."

Seeing her determined persistence, Maverick felt a flicker of unspoken heartache pass through him. Her loyalty seemed misplaced, yet he had no power to change Dario's mind.

A thought suddenly struck him—Malcolm. If he knew about Dario's behavior, surely he wouldn't let his protégé act so recklessly?

But Maverick and Niall had nothing beyond a professional relationship. No matter how much he sympathized with her situation, he had no grounds to say anything more personal or get further involved.

"I'll head off first," he said finally. "See you next time."

Niall smiled and nodded, settling back into her waiting position.

Maverick walked to his car, his mind troubled. After sitting in silence for several minutes, he made a decision and pulled out his phone to call Doran.

Several hours later, Doran returned his call. "What is it?" he asked without preamble.

Maverick hesitated, then carefully chose his words. "It's not a big deal, really, just that maybe Dario has gotten a little too successful. The way he's handling things now—he's getting more and more willful and reckless..."