CHAPTER 65

The evidence they’d secured felt like a victory, but Maya knew it was just a step in a much larger war. Back at the hotel, the air buzzed with tension as Alex worked furiously on his laptop, uploading and encrypting the data they’d retrieved from the freighter.

Zane stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the glow of the city lights. Maya sat at the small table with Reese, her mind racing as she tried to process everything that had happened.

Reese broke the silence, her tone edged with concern. “We need to go public with this as soon as possible. The longer we wait, the more time Helena has to spin her narrative.”

“She’s right,” Maya said, looking up at Zane. “If we don’t act now, she’ll bury this.”

Zane turned, his silver eyes steady but cold. “We’ll release the evidence. But not yet. If we move too quickly, we risk exposing our source and tipping Helena off to how much we know.”

Maya nodded, though the weight of the delay gnawed at her. Every moment they waited felt like giving Helena more room to maneuver.

Helena’s Retaliation

The next morning, Zane’s phone buzzed with an urgent call from Alex.

“Helena’s already making her move,” Alex said, his voice clipped. “She’s issued a public statement claiming Moretti Corps was hacked and accusing Zane of fabricating evidence to discredit her.”

Zane’s jaw tightened as he listened. “She’s trying to undermine the truth before we even release it.”

“There’s more,” Alex continued. “She’s filed a formal complaint with the board, demanding an investigation into the company’s operations. She’s claiming gross misconduct on your part, Zane. She wants the board to suspend you.”

Maya’s chest tightened as she overheard the conversation. “Can she do that?”

“She can try,” Zane said, his voice low but resolute. “But it won’t work. The board needs more than her accusations to act.”

“Helena doesn’t play fair,” Alex said. “She’ll manufacture whatever proof she needs to back up her claims.”

Zane ended the call, his silver eyes blazing with determination. “She’s forcing our hand. If she wants a fight, we’ll give her one.”

A Public Address

Later that day, Zane called a press conference, the first step in a calculated counterattack. The team worked tirelessly to prepare a statement, ensuring every word was precise and unassailable.

As they approached the podium, Maya’s nerves simmered beneath the surface. Zane’s confidence was a steadying presence, but the weight of what was at stake felt crushing.

Zane stepped up to the microphone, his posture commanding as he addressed the sea of reporters.

“Recent accusations against Moretti Corps and myself are not only false but are part of a malicious campaign to undermine this company and its leadership,” Zane began, his voice firm and measured. “We have obtained irrefutable evidence that links Helena Moretti and her allies to a series of illegal activities, including tampering with company records and facilitating smuggling operations through Moretti Corps resources.”

The room buzzed with murmurs as Zane continued, laying out the key findings from their investigation without revealing too much.

“To ensure transparency, we will release the evidence to the proper authorities and cooperate fully with any investigation,” Zane said, his silver eyes sweeping over the crowd. “Moretti Corps remains committed to integrity and accountability.”

Helena’s Fury

Watching the press conference from her villa, Helena seethed. Her hand tightened around the stem of her wine glass until it cracked, spilling dark red liquid onto the table.

“They’re painting me into a corner,” she muttered, her voice laced with venom.

Across from her, Alessandro DeLuca regarded her with a calm but calculating expression. “You underestimated them,” he said. “Zane is more capable than you gave him credit for.”

Helena’s glare snapped to Alessandro. “This isn’t over.”

“It may be over for you if you don’t tread carefully,” Alessandro warned. “The DeLucas have no interest in being dragged into a war you can’t win.”

Helena straightened, her icy composure returning. “I’ll win,” she said, her voice cold and certain. “Zane and Maya think they’ve outmaneuvered me, but I have one move left that they’ll never see coming.”

The Leak

That evening, as Zane and Maya sat in the suite reviewing the fallout from the press conference, Alex burst into the room, his expression grim.

“She’s leaked the personal records,” Alex said, placing a tablet on the table.

Maya’s stomach dropped as she saw the headlines:

“Exclusive: The Secrets Behind Maya Davis’ Time Overseas.”

“Financial Fraud, Hidden Deals, and a Web of Lies?”

The articles were filled with half-truths and insinuations, twisting Maya’s time abroad into a fabricated narrative of corruption and deceit.

“She’s weaponized your past,” Zane said, his voice low and furious. “She’s trying to destroy your credibility before we can release the full evidence against her.”

Maya swallowed hard, her heart pounding. “It’s all lies, Zane. But what if people believe it?”

“They won’t,” Zane said firmly. “We’ll release a statement tomorrow refuting every claim. And we’ll include the first piece of evidence tying Helena to the smuggling operation.”

Reese, who had been silently watching, stepped forward. “Let me help. We need to get ahead of this. I’ll reach out to my contacts in the media and start spinning the truth before Helena’s lies gain traction.”

Maya nodded, her gratitude for Reese’s unwavering support bubbling to the surface. “Thank you.”

The Calm Before the Explosion

As night fell, Maya stood on the balcony, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her shoulders. The cool breeze brushed against her skin, but it did little to ease the tension coiled in her chest.

Zane joined her, his presence solid and grounding. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.

“She’s trying to break us,” Maya said softly, her voice tinged with frustration. “It’s like every move we make, she’s already planned three steps ahead.”

“She hasn’t won,” Zane said, his silver eyes fierce. “And she won’t. Helena thrives on fear and manipulation, but we have something she doesn’t—truth.”

Maya rested her head against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothing her frayed nerves. “Promise me, Zane. No matter what happens, we’ll get through this together.”

Zane kissed her forehead, his voice steady and certain. “I promise, Maya. Together.”

As the city lights flickered below them, Maya knew the battle was far from over. Helena’s next move would be her most dangerous yet, and they would need every ounce of strength and resolve to face it.

But for now, they held onto each other, their unity their greatest weapon against the storm to come.