CHAPTER 61

The silence in the Moretti estate was deceptive, a brittle veneer over the storm brewing beneath. Despite Zane’s reassurances and the work his team was doing to counter Helena’s schemes, Maya couldn’t shake the tension that clung to the air. Helena’s alliance with the DeLuca family, once a vague threat, now loomed over them like a shadow.

Maya sat in the suite, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea that had long gone cold. Reese was beside her, scrolling through the endless cycle of headlines and updates that seemed intent on spinning lies into truth.

“They’re doubling down on this narrative,” Reese said, her voice sharp as she handed Maya her phone.

Maya read the latest article, her stomach twisting.

“Marriage of Convenience? Maya Davis’ Desperate Bid to Secure Power in the Moretti Family.”

The insinuations were relentless, each one crafted to chip away at her character, her family’s name, and her marriage to Zane.

“I can’t believe people are buying into this,” Maya murmured, her voice heavy with frustration.

Reese crossed her arms. “People love a good scandal. And Helena knows exactly how to feed it.”

A Break in the Case

Downstairs, Zane and Alex worked late into the night, their focus unyielding as they pieced together Helena’s latest moves.

“She’s using intermediaries for everything,” Alex said, pointing to a map of connections displayed on the screen. “But we’ve traced one of her shell companies directly to a DeLuca associate. It’s enough to tie her to them, but barely. We need something bigger.”

Zane leaned back in his chair, his silver eyes narrowing. “If we can prove she’s colluding with the DeLucas, we can force the board to act. Her influence over Moretti Corps will be finished.”

Alex nodded. “I’ve put someone on the ground in Europe to dig deeper. If there’s a smoking gun, we’ll find it.”

“And Davis Enterprises?” Zane asked, his tone sharp.

“Helena’s consolidating her control,” Alex replied. “If she’s not stopped soon, she’ll gut the company and blame it on Charles. She’s trying to box Maya into a corner.”

Zane’s jaw tightened, a flicker of anger flashing across his face. “She won’t succeed. Keep digging, Alex. We need to end this, once and for all.”

Helena’s Next Move

In her villa, Helena sat at the head of a polished dining table, a laptop open before her as she reviewed the latest reports from her contacts. Across from her sat Alessandro DeLuca, his gaze sharp and calculating.

“You’re playing a bold game, Helena,” Alessandro said, sipping his wine. “Are you certain you can win?”

Helena smiled faintly, though her eyes glinted with icy determination. “Zane and Maya may have dealt me a setback, but they underestimated my reach. With your support, I can strike at them in ways they’ll never see coming.”

“And what do I gain from this?” Alessandro asked, leaning back in his chair.

“Control,” Helena replied. “Once Moretti Corps is mine again, the DeLucas will have exclusive access to its global network. Logistics, investments, political influence—all yours.”

Alessandro studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. But remember, Helena—if you fail, I won’t clean up your mess.”

Helena’s smile widened, her voice smooth and confident. “I don’t fail.”

An Anonymous Threat

That evening, Maya returned to the suite to find an envelope waiting for her on the bedside table. The sight of it sent a chill down her spine.

“What’s this?” she murmured, picking it up carefully.

Zane stepped out of the adjoining room, his gaze immediately locking onto the envelope. “Who delivered it?”

“I don’t know,” Maya said, opening it with trembling fingers.

Inside was a single piece of paper with a typed message:

“Every move you make is being watched. The past always catches up to those who think they’ve escaped it.”

Maya’s breath hitched as she handed the note to Zane. His expression darkened, and he crumpled the paper in his fist.

“She’s trying to rattle you,” Zane said, his voice low and controlled. “Don’t let her.”

Maya nodded, though her heart raced. “What does she mean, ‘the past always catches up’?”

“She’s grasping at straws,” Zane said, wrapping an arm around her. “Let me handle this, Maya. Helena’s playing a dangerous game, and she’ll slip soon. When she does, we’ll be ready.”

Reese Uncovers a Clue

The next morning, Reese burst into the suite, her energy electric as she waved her phone in the air.

“You’re not going to believe this,” Reese said, her voice breathless.

“What is it?” Maya asked, her nerves on edge.

“I found something,” Reese said, sitting down beside her. “One of Helena’s shell companies—Redbrook Holdings—has been linked to a series of offshore accounts. I looked into it further, and guess what? Those accounts have been making payments to DeLuca-controlled assets.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “You’re saying Helena is funneling money to the DeLucas?”

“Exactly,” Reese said, her eyes gleaming with determination. “If we can expose this, it’ll prove she’s been using Moretti Corps resources to fund her alliance with them.”

Maya felt a surge of hope, though it was tempered by caution. “We need to make sure the evidence is airtight. If we go public with this and it’s not solid, it’ll backfire.”

Reese nodded. “Leave it to me. I’ll keep digging.”

The Calm Before the Storm

As the day wore on, Zane and Maya prepared for what felt like the inevitable escalation. The estate’s security had been tightened, and every move Helena made was being tracked, but Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the edge of something bigger.

That evening, she stood on the balcony with Zane, the cool breeze brushing against her skin.

“She’s not stopping, is she?” Maya asked softly, her green eyes scanning the city lights.

Zane wrapped an arm around her, his silver eyes steady and reassuring. “No. But neither are we.”

Maya leaned into him, drawing strength from his presence. “What if this is just the beginning? What if she’s planning something we can’t see yet?”

Zane pressed a kiss to her temple, his voice firm. “Then we’ll adapt. Helena’s forgotten one thing, Maya—no matter how much she schemes, she can’t break us.”

As the night deepened, Maya allowed herself to believe in his words. But deep down, she knew the storm Helena was building wasn’t just about power or revenge.

It was about destruction.

And it was coming.