CHAPTER 72

The fallout from Helena’s latest move hit the team like a tidal wave. The accusations against Zane spread rapidly, dominating headlines and fueling speculation across the business world.

“Zane Moretti: Mastermind or Scapegoat?”

“Allegations Mount as Helena Moretti Strikes Back.”

In the suite, tension ran high as the team scrambled to counter the narrative. Reese typed furiously on her laptop, crafting statements for the media, while Alex worked the phones, contacting key allies in the corporate world.

“We need to act fast,” Alex said, his voice tight with urgency. “If we let this narrative take hold, it’ll be almost impossible to undo the damage.”

Zane stood by the window, his silver eyes scanning the city below. His face was a mask of calm, but Maya could see the tension in his shoulders.

“We’ll fight this,” Zane said firmly. “Helena’s lies won’t hold up against the truth. We just need to keep pushing.”

A Meeting with the Lawyers

Later that morning, Zane and Maya met with his legal team in a private conference room at the hotel. The lead attorney, a sharp-eyed woman named Vivian Grant, laid out their strategy with precision.

“Helena’s accusations are flimsy at best,” Vivian said, flipping through a folder of documents. “She’s relying on public outrage to distract from the evidence we’ve released. Our focus needs to be on discrediting her claims with hard facts.”

“What about the board?” Maya asked. “Will they stand by Zane?”

Vivian hesitated before answering. “Most of them will. But there are a few members who are easily swayed by public opinion. We need to address their concerns directly.”

Zane nodded, his jaw tightening. “Set up a meeting with the board. I’ll handle it.”

Vivian’s gaze softened slightly. “You’re walking a fine line, Zane. But if anyone can pull this off, it’s you.”

Helena’s Next Play

Across the city, Helena watched the chaos she had unleashed with a smug smile. Her phone buzzed with an incoming call, and she answered with barely concealed satisfaction.

“Luca,” she said smoothly. “I assume you’ve seen the news.”

“I’ve seen it,” Luca replied, his tone laced with annoyance. “But this stunt of yours won’t hold up. Zane’s too smart to let it stick.”

“That’s why I’m not relying on just one move,” Helena said, her voice icy. “Plan Omega is already in motion. By the time Zane realizes what’s happening, it’ll be too late.”

“Plan Omega?” Luca asked, his voice sharp. “What are you doing, Helena?”

“Cleaning up loose ends,” she said simply. “Stay out of my way, Luca. Or you’ll end up as collateral damage.”

Luca’s silence was telling, but Helena ended the call before he could respond.

A Race Against Time

Back at the hotel, Alex burst into the suite, his face grim as he held up a tablet. “We have a problem. Helena’s trying to bury the evidence we released.”

Maya frowned. “How?”

“She’s leveraging her connections in law enforcement and the media to discredit the files,” Alex explained. “She’s claiming they were fabricated and that the hacker who decrypted them is part of a criminal network.”

Reese groaned. “Of course she is. The woman has no limits.”

Zane’s silver eyes narrowed. “Then we fight fire with fire. Alex, contact every journalist we can trust. Reese, coordinate with Carl and Camilla. We need to double down on the evidence and get ahead of her spin.”

Maya stepped closer to Zane, her voice steady. “What can I do?”

Zane looked at her, his expression softening. “Stay by my side. That’s all I need.”

Maya nodded, her resolve hardening. “Always.”

A Dangerous Discovery

As the team worked late into the night, Camilla called with urgent news.

“I’ve been digging deeper into Helena’s communications,” she said, her voice tense over the phone. “And I found something... disturbing.”

“What is it?” Zane asked, his tone sharp.

“She’s been planning a coordinated attack on Moretti Corps’ infrastructure,” Camilla explained. “If she pulls this off, it could cripple the company—and you.”

Maya’s stomach twisted. “What kind of attack?”

“Financial and digital,” Camilla said. “She’s targeting key systems to create chaos and undermine confidence in your leadership. It’s all set to go live in the next 48 hours.”

Zane’s jaw tightened. “Can you stop it?”

“I’m working on it,” Camilla said. “But Helena’s systems are heavily fortified. I’ll need time.”

“Do whatever it takes,” Zane said. “We’ll handle the rest.”

Helena’s False Victory

As midnight approached, Helena sat in her office, her confidence growing with every passing hour. She watched as the media continued to dissect her accusations against Zane, her narrative gaining traction despite its flimsy foundation.

Her assistant entered, a cautious smile on his face. “The board is calling an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss Zane’s future.”

Helena’s smile widened. “Perfect. By the end of that meeting, Zane Moretti will be finished.”

A Quiet Moment Before the Storm

As the team wrapped up their preparations for the night, Maya and Zane found themselves alone in the living room. The city lights sparkled beyond the windows, a fragile beauty that contrasted with the chaos of their lives.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Maya asked softly, her green eyes searching his.

Zane nodded, his silver eyes steady. “I’ve faced worse. And I’m not letting Helena take this from us.”

Maya reached for his hand, her touch warm and grounding. “You’re not alone in this, Zane. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

Zane’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Together.”

As they sat in silence, the weight of the battle ahead pressed down on them. But in that moment, their connection was unbreakable—a quiet strength that would carry them through the storm.