CHAPTER 11

Maya’s fingers trembled slightly as she dialed her father’s number, the weight of their situation pressing heavily on her. Rain pelted against the penthouse windows, the relentless rhythm mirroring the storm of tension swirling in the room. Behind her, Zane paced like a caged predator, his movements sharp and deliberate as he ran through scenarios with Alex, their voices low but urgent.

The phone rang twice before Charles Davis answered, his tone rough with exhaustion. "Maya?" he asked, his surprise evident. "It’s the middle of the night."

"Isabella came to see you." Maya kept her voice steady, though her grip on the phone was tight. "What did she offer?"

A long pause followed, heavy with hesitation. "How did you—"

"Dad, please," she interrupted. "We don’t have time. The board vote isn’t just about Moretti Industries, is it? They’re targeting Davis Corp too."

Thunder crashed outside, a booming exclamation point to her words. She heard her father sigh heavily, the sound laced with weariness.

"She had proof," he said finally. "Documents showing Zane knew about Elara’s imprisonment for years. Evidence that both companies are unstable. The boards... they’re scared, Maya. And scared people make desperate choices."

"It’s all lies," Maya said fiercely, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the phone. "Dad, I was there. I saw everything. Zane didn’t know—"

"I know."

The simple admission hit her like a gust of wind, stealing her breath. Zane stopped pacing, his eyes snapping to hers, sharp with interest and concern.

"What?" she whispered, almost afraid to believe it.

"I had our security team verify Isabella’s documents. They’re forgeries—good ones, but forgeries," Charles confirmed, his voice steeling with resolve. "She thinks I’m going to support the takeover. That’s why she came to me."

Hope flared in Maya’s chest, a spark in the storm. "Then help us stop them."

Her father hesitated again. "Maya... getting involved could destroy everything I’ve built."

"Not getting involved will destroy it anyway." Maya’s voice softened as she met Zane’s steady gaze across the room. "Dad, you taught me that business is about more than profit. It’s about trust, about doing what’s right even when it’s hard."

The silence stretched, her father’s indecision palpable even over the phone. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter but resolute. "What do you need?"

Maya sagged with relief, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Proof that Isabella met with board members. Security footage, visitor logs, anything."

"I’ll have it sent to you within the hour," Charles promised. Then, after a pause, he added, "Maya... be careful. These people—"

"I know," she said softly. "I love you, Dad."

When she hung up, Zane was beside her instantly, his presence grounding her. "Well?"

"He’s with us," she said, her voice steadier now. She turned to Alex. "How many board members do we need to sway?"

"Three," Alex replied, his tone brisk. "Maybe four to be safe. The rest are solid."

Before they could strategize further, Zane’s phone buzzed with another message. He glanced at it, his jaw tightening, but Maya grabbed it before he could.

"'Getting nervous, brother?'" she read aloud, her voice dripping with disdain. "'The storm’s coming. Better choose carefully – your company, or the woman you love?'"

"He's trying to split our focus," Zane growled, the barely restrained fury in his voice making the air feel heavier.

"No," Maya said slowly, her mind working through the implications. "He’s showing us his weakness." She looked between Zane and Alex, her eyes sharp with realization. "He thinks he knows what you’ll choose. He’s counting on you choosing me."

Understanding dawned in Zane’s expression. "Which means..."

"The meeting coordinates he sent?" Maya winced as she shifted, her injured shoulder protesting. "It’s not where he’ll be. He wants your security focused there while he’s somewhere else."

"The board meeting," Alex realized, his face darkening. "He’ll want to be there to watch everything fall apart."

Zane’s expression turned predatory, his resolve hardening into steel. "Then let’s give him a show."

Moments later, Maya’s phone chimed—a notification from her father. She quickly opened the files, scanning the contents with growing urgency. Security footage showed Isabella entering and leaving private meetings with board members. Another file contained documentation that exposed the forgery. But it was the final piece of evidence that made her gasp.

"What is it?" Zane demanded, stepping closer.

"Proof that Isabella embezzled millions before she left Moretti Industries." Maya looked up, her eyes wide. "Money that went to offshore accounts... in Donovan’s name."

"She was working with him from the start," Alex said quietly, the weight of the revelation settling over them. "Before Luca ever came back."

Zane’s reaction was immediate. "Send everything to the board members," he ordered, his voice cold and precise. "Now. Don’t give them time to coordinate with Isabella."

Maya touched his arm, her brow furrowing. "There’s more," she said carefully. "These accounts... some of the transactions are still active. Recent."

Zane froze, his mind racing. "They’re planning something else."

"The question is what," Maya said, trying to stand. Her legs were shaky from the medication, but she pushed forward. Zane steadied her instantly, his hands firm but gentle.

"You need to rest," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"I need to help," she countered, her voice equally unyielding.

"You are helping," he insisted, cupping her face with both hands. "But I can’t think straight if I’m worried about you pushing yourself too hard."

A knock interrupted their exchange. Turning, they saw Elara in the doorway, Alex’s jacket draped around her small frame.

"I heard everything," she said softly, stepping into the room. Her silver eyes were steady despite the fear lurking in their depths. "And I think I know what they’re planning." She swallowed, her voice trembling only slightly as she continued. "Because Isabella told me, back when... when I was with Donovan. I just didn’t understand what it meant until now."

Maya felt Zane stiffen beside her, his tension radiating like heat. "What is it?" he asked, his tone dangerously low.

Elara’s gaze flickered between them, her expression grim. "They’re not just trying to take the companies," she said. "They’re trying to destroy them completely. And it starts at exactly nine AM tomorrow... with an explosion at both company headquarters."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap, their implications staggering. Outside, lightning illuminated their shocked faces, the storm outside a fitting backdrop to the chaos inside.

Maya grabbed Zane’s hand, her grip strong despite her exhaustion. "Call the police," she urged, her voice trembling.

"No." Zane’s tone was like ice, his resolve absolute. "Call my lawyers first. We need arrest warrants ready the moment we have proof." He turned to Alex. "Get every security feed from both buildings. Find out how they’re getting the explosives in."

"And then?" Maya asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zane’s smile was razor-sharp. "Then we show my dear brother what happens when he threatens everything I love."

Thunder rattled the windows, but this time, the fear was gone from Maya’s chest. Steel replaced it, her resolve hardening to match Zane’s. The storm was coming, and they were ready to face it head-on.

Failure wasn’t an option—not when lives were on the line.