CHAPTER 50

The aftermath of Luca and Donovan’s arrest sent shockwaves through the Moretti estate. News spread quickly, both within the family and beyond. Zane’s decisive action had left no doubt about his power and control, but Maya knew the victory was far from complete.

Helena, unshaken by the events, was already laying the groundwork for her next move.

Helena’s Thinly Veiled Threats

Maya found herself face-to-face with Helena the next morning in the estate’s grand library. The older woman was standing by the window, gazing out at the grounds with an air of calculated calm.

“You’ve been busy, Maya,” Helena said without turning around.

Maya approached cautiously, her voice steady. “I’ve been protecting what matters.”

Helena turned, her sharp eyes meeting Maya’s. “You think you’ve won, don’t you? That removing Luca and Donovan from the picture solves everything.”

“It’s a start,” Maya said firmly.

Helena’s lips curved into a faint smile, though it carried no warmth. “A start, perhaps. But this family has always been about power, Maya. And power is never simply given—it’s taken.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Helena,” Maya said, her voice unwavering.

“Perhaps you should be,” Helena replied, stepping closer. “Because unlike Luca and Donovan, I don’t make reckless moves. When I strike, it’s with precision.”

Zane’s Strategic Countermove

Zane was in his study when Maya joined him, his silver eyes scanning a stack of papers as he prepared for the fallout from Luca’s betrayal. He looked up as she entered, his expression softening.

“How’s Helena?” he asked, his tone dry.

“Predictable,” Maya said, sitting across from him. “She’s trying to intimidate me, but it’s not working.”

Zane’s jaw tightened. “She’s relentless, but she underestimates you. That’s her mistake.”

“What’s the plan, Zane?” Maya asked. “We’ve dealt with Luca and Donovan, but Helena won’t stop.”

Zane leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Helena’s strength lies in her influence. She has allies in high places, people she can manipulate to do her bidding. If we’re going to stop her, we need to cut off her power at the source.”

Maya nodded, her resolve hardening. “How do we do that?”

“We expose her,” Zane said. “The same way we did with Luca and Donovan. She’s made mistakes—everyone does. We just need to find them.”

Reese’s Insight

Maya met Reese in the garden later that day, seeking her friend’s perspective. Reese was leaning against the stone fountain, her expression thoughtful.

“Helena’s not like Luca,” Reese said when Maya explained the situation. “She’s smarter, more calculated. If you’re going after her, you’ll need to be just as strategic.”

“Do you have any ideas?” Maya asked.

Reese nodded slowly. “Helena has a lot of skeletons in her closet, but she’s careful about keeping them hidden. The key is finding someone who knows her well enough to spill her secrets.”

“Like who?”

Reese smirked. “People like Helena don’t get where they are without stepping on a few toes. Someone out there is holding a grudge, and they’ll be more than happy to talk if we find them.”

A Mysterious Lead

That evening, Alex approached Maya with new information. He handed her a file, his expression grim.

“I’ve been digging into Helena’s past,” Alex said. “There’s someone you need to talk to—a man named Victor Laird. He used to work with her years ago, but they had a falling out. He might know something useful.”

Maya flipped through the file, her mind racing. “Where is he now?”

“He’s in the city,” Alex said. “But be careful. If Helena finds out you’re talking to him, she won’t take it lightly.”

Maya nodded, her resolve hardening. “Thank you, Alex. I’ll handle it.”

A Risky Meeting

The next day, Maya and Reese drove into the city to meet Victor Laird. The address Alex had provided led them to a modest office building on the outskirts of downtown.

Victor was waiting for them in a small, dimly lit conference room. He was an older man with graying hair and a wary expression, but his eyes sharpened when he saw them.

“You’re Helena’s daughter-in-law,” Victor said, his tone cautious. “What do you want from me?”

“I need your help,” Maya said, sitting across from him. “Helena is trying to destroy my family, and I need to know how to stop her.”

Victor studied her for a moment, then sighed. “Helena Moretti is a dangerous woman. Crossing her isn’t something I do lightly.”

“I understand,” Maya said. “But if you know something that can help us, please. We can’t let her keep doing this.”

Victor hesitated, then leaned forward. “Helena has a lot of secrets, but there’s one that could ruin her if it ever came out. Years ago, she made a deal with a rival family to protect her own interests. That deal led to someone’s death—a business partner who trusted her.”

Maya’s breath caught. “Do you have proof?”

Victor nodded. “I kept copies of the documents. Insurance, in case she ever came after me. I can get them to you, but you’ll need to be careful. If Helena finds out I helped you, she won’t hesitate to retaliate.”

“We’ll protect you,” Maya promised.

Victor’s gaze softened slightly, and he nodded. “Alright. I’ll get you what you need.”

The Pieces Come Together

Back at the estate, Maya and Zane reviewed the documents Victor had provided. The evidence was damning—clear proof of Helena’s betrayal and her involvement in the rival family’s dealings.

“This is it,” Zane said, his silver eyes blazing with determination. “This is how we take her down.”

Maya nodded, her resolve unwavering. “Let’s end this, Zane. Once and for all.”

Helena’s Growing Suspicion

Unaware of the evidence against her, Helena sat in her study, reviewing her plans for the family. But something nagged at her, a sense that her control was slipping.

She glanced at the clock, her expression hardening. “If Zane and Maya think they’ve won, they’re sorely mistaken.”

A Steady Resolve

As the night deepened, Maya and Zane stood together on the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against their skin. The evidence against Helena felt like a lifeline, a way to finally end the constant battles and threats.

“Are you ready for this?” Zane asked, his voice low.

Maya turned to him, her eyes steady. “I’ve never been more ready.”

Zane wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

“Together,” Maya echoed, her voice filled with determination.

The fight against Helena wasn’t over yet, but for the first time, Maya felt like they had the upper hand.

And she wouldn’t stop until their family was safe.