A sliver of morning light slipped through a gap in the curtains, falling just beyond Qi Sinian's hand. His eyes fixed on that sliver of light, and he forced his voice to remain calm. "Say that again." Zhong Xiran sat up, pulling away from his embrace. She met his gaze directly. "He doctored the recording. I never said those words. Do you believe me?" Where she found the courage, she didn't know. I