CHAPTER 51

The next morning, the air in the Moretti estate was heavy with anticipation. Maya could feel the shift—an invisible crack in the foundation of Helena’s once-unshakable power. With Victor Laird’s documents in their hands, the evidence against Helena was damning, and Zane’s determination to expose her was unrelenting.

This time, the battle was on their terms.

Zane's Calculated Strategy

Zane’s office became a war room as he and Alex pored over the documents Victor had provided. Maya sat beside Zane, her nerves taut but her resolve steady.

“Helena’s deal with the LaRossa family is all here,” Zane said, his silver eyes scanning the papers. “Bribes, secret payments, and the betrayal that got her former business partner killed. If this gets out, she’ll lose everything.”

“But how do we release it without blowing up the family?” Maya asked.

Zane leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. “We do it strategically. Quietly feed the information to the right people—the press, law enforcement—and let the fallout happen naturally. Helena won’t be able to trace it back to us until it’s too late.”

Maya nodded, her confidence growing. “And what about her allies? If they turn against her, she’ll be isolated.”

“Exactly,” Zane said, his tone cold. “And once she’s alone, she’ll have no power left to wield.”

Helena's Growing Suspicion

Helena sat in the grand sitting room, her mind racing as she sipped her morning tea. Something was off, and she couldn’t ignore the gnawing sense that Zane and Maya were plotting against her.

When Luca and Donovan had been taken down, Helena had been prepared to pivot, but now she felt the walls closing in.

She picked up her phone and dialed one of her most trusted contacts. “I need you to dig into Zane’s recent activities,” she said, her tone clipped. “Find out what he’s been doing and who he’s been meeting with. And do it quietly.”

Helena ended the call, her grip tightening on the phone. She wouldn’t go down without a fight.

An Unexpected Ally

Later that day, Reese barged into Maya’s room, her face alight with urgency.

“You’re not going to believe this,” Reese said, shutting the door behind her.

“What is it?” Maya asked, her heart racing.

“I just ran into Elara,” Reese said. “She told me something about Helena. Apparently, she’s been keeping tabs on you for weeks. Elara overheard her talking to someone about digging into your past—your father’s business, your time overseas. She’s looking for dirt to use against you.”

Maya’s stomach turned. “So Helena’s already making her next move.”

Reese nodded. “But Elara said she’s tired of Helena’s games. She wants to help us.”

“Elara?” Maya asked, surprised. “Why would she do that?”

“Because she’s seen what Helena is capable of,” Reese said. “And she doesn’t want to be a pawn in her schemes anymore.”

The Plan Takes Shape

That evening, Zane, Maya, and Alex met in the study to finalize their strategy. The room buzzed with quiet tension as they reviewed the evidence and outlined their next steps.

“Elara could be a valuable ally,” Alex said. “If she’s willing to testify against Helena, it’ll add credibility to the evidence we already have.”

“But can we trust her?” Maya asked.

Zane’s jaw tightened. “Elara has her own reasons for wanting to take Helena down. If she’s offering her help, we should use it. But we’ll tread carefully.”

“And Helena?” Maya asked.

Zane’s silver eyes darkened. “We release the evidence tomorrow. Once it’s out, Helena will be too busy dealing with the fallout to come after us.”

Helena Makes a Move

Unbeknownst to Zane and Maya, Helena was already acting on her suspicions. That night, she summoned a private investigator to her study, handing him a file filled with incriminating details about Maya’s father’s business dealings.

“Expose this,” Helena ordered, her tone icy. “Leak it to the press. If Maya wants to play games, she’ll learn the cost of crossing me.”

The investigator hesitated. “Are you sure about this? Zane might retaliate.”

Helena’s eyes glinted with cold fury. “Let him. By the time he reacts, it’ll be too late.”

The Evidence Goes Public

The next morning, Zane and Maya’s plan was set into motion. A carefully chosen journalist received the documents exposing Helena’s dealings with the LaRossa family. Within hours, the story broke online, sending shockwaves through the elite circles of their world.

“Billionaire Matriarch Tied to Corruption and Cover-Ups,” the headlines blared.

Maya watched the news unfold with a mix of relief and trepidation. “It’s out,” she said, glancing at Zane.

Zane nodded, his expression grim. “Now we wait.”

Helena’s Fall

By midday, the fallout was already evident. Calls flooded Helena’s phone, her allies demanding explanations and distancing themselves from her scandal. Even her most loyal supporters began to waver as the weight of the evidence became undeniable.

Helena stood in her study, her composure cracking as she reviewed the headlines. The betrayal cut deep, but she refused to show weakness.

She dialed Zane, her voice sharp as he answered. “So this is your doing,” she said.

Zane’s tone was calm, almost cold. “You brought this on yourself, Helena. You’ve been trying to tear us down for too long, and now it’s over.”

Helena’s grip on the phone tightened. “This isn’t over, Zane. Not by a long shot.”

Maya's Resolve

As night fell, Maya stood on the balcony with Zane, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. The events of the day had left her feeling both exhilarated and drained.

“We did it,” Maya said softly. “Helena’s empire is crumbling.”

“It’s a start,” Zane said, wrapping an arm around her. “But she won’t go down without a fight.”

Maya nodded, her resolve hardening. “Then we’ll be ready. No matter what she throws at us next, we’ll face it together.”

Zane pressed a kiss to her forehead, his silver eyes filled with determination. “Together.”