CHAPTER 74

The boardroom victory was a significant blow to Helena, but the reprieve was short-lived. As Zane, Maya, and the team returned to the suite, the tension was palpable. Helena’s retreat didn’t feel like an ending—it felt like the calm before a storm.

Alex was already at his laptop, scanning incoming reports and updates. “Helena’s quiet. Too quiet,” he said, his brow furrowed. “I don’t like it.”

“She’ll strike again,” Zane said, his silver eyes cold. “But this time, we’ll be ready.”

Maya sat beside Zane, her hand resting on his arm. “We need to anticipate her next move. If she’s desperate, she’ll be more reckless.”

“That makes her dangerous,” Alex said. “But it also makes her sloppy.”

Reese walked in, holding her phone aloft. “Speaking of sloppiness, Carl just sent me something interesting. Helena’s been spotted meeting with DeLuca operatives at a private estate outside the city.”

Maya frowned. “What could she be planning with them?”

Zane’s jaw tightened. “Something big. We need eyes on that estate.”

A Risky Surveillance Plan

By nightfall, the team had a plan in motion. Alex and Reese would stay behind to monitor communications, while Zane and Maya would head to the estate with Camilla, who had insisted on helping.

“This is risky,” Alex warned as they prepared to leave. “If Helena spots you, she won’t hesitate to retaliate.”

“She won’t see us,” Zane said firmly. “We’re only gathering information.”

Maya adjusted her dark jacket, her nerves humming with adrenaline. “Let’s just hope this doesn’t end in another ambush.”

Camilla smirked. “If it does, at least we’ll go out with style.”

At the Estate

The drive to the estate was uneventful, the city lights giving way to the shadowy expanse of the countryside. The estate itself was an imposing structure, surrounded by high walls and patrolled by armed guards.

Zane parked the car a safe distance away, and the group moved quietly through the trees, their breaths visible in the cool night air.

Camilla crouched beside Maya, pulling out a small drone from her bag. “This baby will get us the intel we need without putting us in danger.”

The drone hummed softly as it ascended, its camera feed displaying on Camilla’s tablet. Maya watched as the drone hovered near the estate, its camera capturing the movements of guards and vehicles.

“There,” Camilla said, zooming in on a group of men gathered near the main building.

Maya’s heart sank as she recognized Helena among them. She was speaking animatedly with a man who could only be Alessandro DeLuca, his sharp features illuminated by the glow of a nearby light.

“What are they saying?” Zane asked, his voice low.

Camilla adjusted the drone’s position, activating its audio feed. The voices crackled through the speakers, faint but discernible.

“This has to work,” Helena was saying. “If we don’t neutralize Zane now, we’ll lose everything.”

DeLuca’s response was cold. “Your schemes have already cost us too much. If this fails, the DeLucas will cut their losses—and you.”

Helena’s eyes narrowed. “It won’t fail. I’ve arranged for a coordinated attack on Moretti Corps’ headquarters. By the time Zane realizes what’s happening, it’ll be too late.”

The Discovery

Maya’s blood ran cold as the weight of Helena’s plan sank in. She turned to Zane, her voice barely above a whisper. “She’s targeting your headquarters.”

Zane’s silver eyes hardened. “We need to stop her before she can execute it.”

Camilla pulled the drone back, her fingers flying across the tablet. “I’m downloading everything. This is more than enough to shut her down for good.”

“Let’s move,” Zane said, his voice clipped. “We’ve got what we need.”

The group retreated to the car, their movements swift and silent. Maya’s heart raced as they drove back toward the city, her mind replaying Helena’s words.

“She’s desperate,” Maya said. “She knows this is her last chance.”

“And that makes her reckless,” Zane replied, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. “But it also makes her vulnerable.”

A Call for Reinforcements

Back at the hotel, Alex and Reese were waiting anxiously. The moment the group entered, Alex’s eyes narrowed. “What did you find?”

Zane wasted no time, relaying the details of Helena’s plan. Camilla connected her tablet to the TV, displaying the drone footage and audio for everyone to hear.

“She’s planning a coordinated attack on Moretti Corps’ headquarters,” Zane said. “If she pulls this off, it’ll cripple the company.”

Alex’s expression darkened. “We need to fortify the headquarters and alert security.”

“And we need to release this footage to the authorities,” Reese added. “This proves Helena’s connection to the DeLucas and her intent to sabotage the company.”

Zane nodded, his silver eyes blazing with determination. “Do it. We’re not giving her any more chances.”

Helena’s Reaction

At her villa, Helena was reviewing the final stages of her plan when her assistant burst into the room, his face pale.

“We have a problem,” he said.

Helena’s eyes narrowed. “What now?”

“The drone footage,” he stammered. “Zane has it. He knows about the attack.”

Helena’s composure cracked, her hand tightening around the edge of her desk. “How did he find out?”

“We don’t know,” the assistant admitted. “But the footage is already circulating among the authorities and the media.”

Helena’s mind raced. Her carefully laid plans were unraveling, and the walls were closing in. But she wasn’t finished yet.

“Tell the DeLucas we need to move up the timeline,” she said, her voice icy. “If Zane wants a fight, I’ll give him one.”

A Quiet Determination

As the team finalized their preparations, Maya sat beside Zane, her hand resting on his arm.

“We’re close,” Maya said, her voice steady. “Helena’s losing her grip.”

Zane turned to her, his expression softening. “Because of you. You’ve been my strength through all of this.”

“And you’ve been mine,” Maya replied, her green eyes shining.

Zane leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll end this, Maya. Together.”

The night stretched on, the storm brewing around them. But for the first time, victory felt within reach.