CHAPTER 81

The tension in the suite was palpable as the team pored over the files Marco had provided. The data was more damning than they could have imagined, outlining Helena’s intricate plans to dismantle Moretti Corps from the inside while framing Zane as the mastermind of a sprawling criminal enterprise.

Maya sat beside Zane, her hand resting on his arm. “This is enough to bury her,” she said, her green eyes flicking between the documents on the screen.

“It’s enough to start,” Zane said, his silver eyes cold and calculating. “But we need to move fast. If Helena realizes how much we know, she’ll double down.”

Reese glanced up from her laptop. “I’ve already started organizing the files. We’ll leak this to the media, but we need to time it perfectly. If we go too soon, she’ll twist it against us.”

Alex nodded, his expression grim. “She’s desperate. That makes her dangerous, but it also means she’ll make mistakes. We just have to catch her before she can recover.”

Marco’s Account

Marco sat in the corner of the room, his posture tense as he recounted his time working for Helena.

“She always had a backup plan,” Marco said, his voice shaky. “Even when things started falling apart, she acted like she was ten steps ahead. She’d say things like, ‘Zane will never see it coming.’”

“What’s her endgame?” Zane asked, his tone sharp.

Marco hesitated before answering. “She wants to ruin you completely. The company, your reputation, your family—everything. And if she can’t take you down, she’ll make sure no one else wins, either.”

Maya’s stomach twisted at the implication. “She’s willing to destroy herself to get to you.”

“She won’t get the chance,” Zane said, his voice low but firm.

Helena’s Desperation

At her villa, Helena’s composure continued to crack. The failed ambush at the café had cost her valuable resources, and her network was beginning to unravel.

Her assistant entered the room, his face pale. “Ma’am, we’ve intercepted chatter from Zane’s team. They have the files Marco gave them.”

Helena’s eyes narrowed, her lips curving into a cold smile. “Then it’s time to stop playing games.”

“What’s the plan?” the assistant asked nervously.

Helena stepped closer, her voice a venomous whisper. “We go after what matters most. If Zane wants to protect his family, let’s see how far he’s willing to go.”

A Disturbing Discovery

As the team worked through the night, Camilla called for everyone’s attention. “There’s something you all need to see.”

She pulled up a series of encrypted messages Marco had retrieved from Helena’s network. The texts detailed plans for a coordinated attack—not just on Moretti Corps, but on Zane and Maya personally.

“They’re targeting the penthouse,” Camilla said, her voice tight. “Helena’s sending a team to take you out.”

Maya’s blood ran cold. “When?”

“Tonight,” Camilla said. “They’re already on their way.”

Zane’s silver eyes flashed with fury. “We’re not waiting for them to make the first move. Alex, double security. Camilla, hack into their comms. I want to know every step they’re taking.”

Fortifying the Suite

The team moved quickly, transforming the suite into a fortress. Alex coordinated with the building’s security team, stationing guards at every entrance and monitoring the surveillance cameras.

Maya stayed close to Zane, her heart pounding as the tension mounted. “What if something goes wrong?” she asked softly.

“It won’t,” Zane said, his voice steady. “I won’t let anything happen to you or the baby.”

Maya nodded, drawing strength from his resolve. “We’ll get through this. Together.”

The Assault

The first sign of the attack came just after midnight. Alex’s voice crackled through the earpieces as the security feeds lit up with activity.

“They’re here,” Alex said. “Multiple vehicles pulling into the garage. They’re moving fast.”

Zane adjusted his weapon, his expression hard. “Let’s show them they made a mistake.”

The team took their positions, their movements precise and coordinated. As the attackers breached the building, the sound of gunfire echoed through the halls.

Maya stayed in the secure room with Camilla, monitoring the situation through the surveillance feeds. Her heart raced as she watched Zane and Alex take down the intruders with ruthless efficiency.

“They’re handling it,” Camilla said, her tone calm despite the chaos. “Zane knows what he’s doing.”

The Turning Point

As the attackers began to retreat, Zane cornered one of the leaders, his silver eyes blazing with fury.

“Who sent you?” Zane demanded, his voice deadly.

The man hesitated, fear flashing across his face. “It was Helena. She… she said to finish this no matter what.”

Zane’s jaw tightened as he processed the words. “Tell her she’s already lost.”

The man nodded frantically, and Zane released him, watching as the remaining attackers fled.

A Temporary Calm

Back in the suite, the team regrouped, their exhaustion evident but their spirits unbroken.

“That was close,” Alex said, his voice grim. “Helena’s getting more reckless.”

“And more dangerous,” Reese added. “She knows she’s running out of options.”

Maya sat beside Zane, her hand resting on his arm. “This can’t keep happening, Zane. We have to stop her—for good.”

“We will,” Zane said, his silver eyes gleaming with determination. “She’s running out of moves. And when the time comes, we’ll end this once and for all.”

Helena’s Final Gambit

At her villa, Helena sat alone in the dark, her mind racing. She poured herself a glass of wine, her hand trembling slightly as she brought it to her lips.

The attack had failed, but she wasn’t finished yet.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number, her voice steady despite the chaos swirling around her. “Activate the final phase,” she said. “It’s time to remind Zane what real power looks like.”

As she ended the call, a cold smile spread across her lips. The endgame had begun.