CHAPTER 53

The Moretti estate buzzed with an undercurrent of tension. Despite Maya’s successful interview, the scars of Helena’s attack lingered, and everyone knew that Helena wasn’t finished.

Maya sat in the suite, her laptop open as she sifted through articles and social media posts. Reese’s idea to get ahead of the story had worked, but the damage Helena had inflicted on Charles’ reputation had left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“Helena’s playing a long game,” Maya said to herself, her resolve hardening. “But so am I.”

Helena’s Next Move

Helena sat in her study, her fingers steepled as she contemplated her dwindling options. Maya’s public response had been stronger than she anticipated, and it had rallied public sympathy in her favor.

Her phone buzzed, and she answered it without hesitation.

“Helena,” the voice on the other end said, low and conspiratorial, “we need to talk. I’ve got something you might find useful.”

“Go on,” Helena said, her tone sharp.

“There’s someone from Maya’s past. A journalist she used to know overseas. He’s been asking questions, digging into her time abroad.”

Helena’s lips curved into a smile. “Find out everything you can about him. And bring him to me.”

Maya and Zane’s Growing Bond

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Maya and Zane sat in the estate’s private garden, a rare moment of peace between them.

“You’ve been quiet all day,” Zane said, his silver eyes soft as he watched her.

“I’m just thinking,” Maya replied, her voice thoughtful. “About Helena, about the family, about everything we’re up against.”

Zane reached for her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “We’ll face it together, Maya. No matter what she throws at us.”

Maya turned to him, her gaze steady. “Do you think she’ll ever stop? That there’s a way to end this?”

Zane’s expression darkened. “Helena doesn’t know when to quit. But everyone has a breaking point. We just have to find hers.”

Reese Uncovers a Lead

The next morning, Reese burst into the suite, her energy as electric as ever.

“Maya,” she said, shutting the door behind her. “You’re not going to believe what I found.”

Maya looked up from her laptop, her pulse quickening. “What is it?”

“Helena’s been reaching out to someone from your past—a journalist named Daniel Cooper,” Reese said, pulling out her phone to show Maya a photo. “He’s been digging into your time overseas. If she’s bringing him into this, it can’t be good.”

Maya’s stomach sank as recognition dawned. “Daniel and I went to school together,” she said, her voice tight. “We were friends, but we lost touch after a falling out. If he’s involved, Helena’s trying to dredge up something to use against me.”

Reese’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want to do?”

“We need to find out what Daniel knows and why he’s helping Helena,” Maya said. “If she’s planning to use him, we have to act fast.”

Zane’s Intervention

Maya explained the situation to Zane that evening, her anxiety evident as she paced the suite.

“If Helena gets to Daniel before we do, she’ll have another weapon to use against us,” Maya said.

Zane’s expression was calm but firm. “Then we’ll get to him first.”

“How?” Maya asked.

“I’ll send Alex to find him,” Zane said. “If Daniel’s working with Helena, we’ll bring him in and get to the truth.”

Maya nodded, her resolve strengthening. “I’ll talk to him. If he still has any loyalty to me, maybe I can convince him to stop.”

A Confrontation with Daniel

Two days later, Alex tracked Daniel to a small café in the city. Maya arrived with Reese by her side, her heart pounding as she stepped inside.

Daniel looked up from his table, his expression flickering with surprise as he saw Maya.

“Maya,” he said, standing. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“Can we talk?” Maya asked, her voice steady despite her nerves.

Daniel gestured for her to sit, his posture guarded. “What’s this about?”

“I know Helena’s been talking to you,” Maya said bluntly. “I need to know what she’s told you and why you’re helping her.”

Daniel hesitated, then sighed. “Helena approached me a few weeks ago. She said you’d been keeping secrets about your time overseas, and she wanted me to verify them. She paid well, Maya. I couldn’t say no.”

Maya’s chest tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Whatever she told you, it’s a lie. Helena’s trying to destroy my reputation, and she’s using you to do it.”

Daniel’s gaze softened slightly. “I didn’t know she was targeting you like this. I thought I was just digging up harmless information.”

“It’s not harmless,” Maya said. “She’s trying to tear my family apart. If you have any decency left, you’ll stop helping her.”

Daniel sighed again, his expression conflicted. “I’ll think about it, Maya. That’s all I can promise.”

Helena Learns of the Meeting

Back at the estate, Helena sat in her study, her expression darkening as she received word of Maya’s meeting with Daniel.

“She’s cleverer than I gave her credit for,” Helena murmured, setting down her phone.

“What do you want me to do?” her contact asked.

Helena’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Keep the pressure on. Maya may have won this round, but I’m far from finished.”

Maya and Zane’s Quiet Resolve

That evening, Maya and Zane stood together on the balcony, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

“Helena’s still plotting,” Maya said, her voice quiet. “But Daniel might back off. I think I got through to him.”

Zane wrapped an arm around her, his touch grounding her. “You did more than that, Maya. You showed him who you are. That’s more powerful than anything Helena can throw at us.”

Maya leaned into him, her resolve strengthening. “We’ll keep fighting, Zane. No matter what.”

“And we’ll win,” Zane said, his voice steady. “Together.”