CHAPTER 45

The gala may have ended, but the echoes of the evening lingered in Maya’s mind. She lay awake in the suite, staring at the ceiling as the weight of Helena’s schemes and Luca’s manipulations pressed against her resolve. Despite standing her ground, the night had reminded her how relentless her adversaries were.

Beside her, Zane slept soundly, his features relaxed for the first time in days. Maya found comfort in his presence, but she couldn’t ignore the growing storm brewing within the Moretti family.

If Helena and Luca wanted to play games, she would need to be ready for whatever they threw at her next.

A Morning of Subtle Barbs

The next morning, Maya joined Helena in the sunroom, aware that avoiding her would only give the older woman more ammunition. The room was bright and airy, a sharp contrast to the icy tension between them.

“Good morning, Maya,” Helena greeted, her tone pleasant but her eyes cold.

“Good morning,” Maya replied, taking a seat across from her.

Helena sipped her tea, her movements graceful and deliberate. “You handled yourself well last night. I must admit, I underestimated you.”

Maya forced a polite smile. “Thank you. I believe it’s important to rise to the occasion.”

“Indeed,” Helena said, setting her cup down. “Though I do hope you understand the significance of appearances. In our world, perception is everything. One misstep, one moment of weakness, and it can all unravel.”

Maya met her gaze evenly. “I’m aware. But I don’t plan on making any missteps.”

Helena’s lips curved into a faint smile, but her eyes remained calculating. “Let’s hope not. For all our sakes.”

Reese’s Discovery

Later that day, Maya met Reese in the garden. Her friend looked uncharacteristically serious, her usual playful demeanor replaced with something sharper.

“You’re not going to believe this,” Reese said, lowering her voice as Maya approached.

“What is it?” Maya asked, her stomach tightening.

“I overheard Luca on the phone,” Reese said, glancing around to make sure they were alone. “He was talking to someone about Zane’s business. Something about a deal going bad and using it to their advantage.”

Maya frowned, her mind racing. “Did he say who he was talking to?”

“No, but it sounded serious,” Reese said. “Like he’s planning to sabotage Zane somehow.”

Maya’s hands clenched at her sides. “I need to tell Zane.”

“Be careful,” Reese warned. “Luca’s playing a dangerous game, and he won’t hesitate to turn it on you if he gets the chance.”

Zane’s Reaction

Maya found Zane in his study, surrounded by papers and his laptop. He looked up as she entered, his silver eyes narrowing at the concern etched on her face.

“What is it?” he asked, setting his work aside.

“It’s Luca,” Maya said, closing the door behind her. “Reese overheard him talking about your business. He’s planning something, Zane. Something that could hurt you.”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “That bastard never stops.”

“What are you going to do?” Maya asked, her voice trembling.

Zane stood, crossing the room to take her hands in his. “I’ll handle it. Luca’s been pushing boundaries for too long, and its time to remind him who’s in charge.”

“But be careful,” Maya said, her grip tightening. “He’s not just reckless—he’s dangerous.”

Zane pressed a kiss to her forehead, his voice steady. “I will. And Maya… thank you for telling me. Your support means everything to me.”

Luca’s Bold Move

That evening, Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Her instincts were proven right when she overheard a heated argument between Zane and Luca in the east wing.

“You think you can undermine me and get away with it?” Zane’s voice was sharp, filled with barely contained rage.

“You’ve been hogging the spotlight for years,” Luca shot back, his tone dripping with bitterness. “It’s time someone else had a chance to lead.”

“You’re playing with fire, Luca,” Zane warned. “And you’re going to get burned.”

Maya stayed hidden, her heart racing as the argument escalated.

“You’ve made this family weak,” Luca spat. “You let your emotions cloud your judgment. And now you’re going to pay for it.”

Zane’s voice dropped to a deadly calm. “If you come for my family, I will destroy you.”

The sound of footsteps signaled the end of the confrontation, and Maya quickly retreated before she could be discovered.

Helena’s Calculated Advice

The next morning, Maya found herself cornered by Helena in the gallery. The older woman’s expression was unreadable, but her words carried a clear warning.

“Luca is spiraling,” Helena said, her voice low. “He’s reckless, but he’s not without influence. You’d do well to tread carefully around him.”

“Are you warning me or threatening me?” Maya asked, her tone sharp.

Helena smiled faintly. “Consider it… advice. You’ve proven yourself capable, Maya, but even the strongest can falter when faced with the unexpected.”

“I’m not afraid of Luca,” Maya said firmly.

“Perhaps you should be,” Helena replied, her tone icy. “Because if he falls, he’ll do everything in his power to take you down with him.”

Maya’s Determination

As the day wore on, Maya found herself on the balcony, the cool evening air helping to clear her mind. She replayed the events of the past few days—the gala, Helena’s subtle barbs, Reese’s discovery, and Zane’s confrontation with Luca.

The Moretti family was a battlefield, and every move felt like a gamble. But Maya wasn’t backing down.

She turned to see Zane joining her, his silver eyes softening as they met hers. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Everything,” Maya admitted. “Helena, Luca, the business… it feels like we’re surrounded on all sides.”

“We are,” Zane said, his voice steady. “But we’re stronger together, Maya. And no matter what they throw at us, we’ll face it head-on.”

Maya leaned into him, her resolve hardening. “I’m ready, Zane. Whatever comes next, I’m ready.”

Luca’s Secret Meeting

Unbeknownst to Maya and Zane, Luca was meeting with someone in a dimly lit bar across town. His companion, a shadowy figure with an air of authority, listened intently as Luca laid out his plan.

“Zane’s distracted,” Luca said, his voice confident. “He’s too focused on protecting Maya to see what’s happening right under his nose. This is the perfect time to strike.”

The man nodded, his expression unreadable. “And you’re sure this will work?”

“Absolutely,” Luca said, a smug grin spreading across his face. “By the time he realizes what’s happening, it’ll be too late.”

The man leaned back, his gaze sharp. “Then let’s proceed. But remember, Luca—failure is not an option.”

Luca raised his glass, his grin widening. “Don’t worry. I won't fail.”