CHAPTER 82

The aftermath of the attack left the suite eerily silent. The shattered windows and scattered debris told the story of a battle hard-fought and narrowly won. Alex and Reese worked with the building’s security team to clean up and reinforce the penthouse, while Zane and Maya retreated to the living room, their exhaustion palpable.

Maya’s hands trembled slightly as she held a cup of tea, her green eyes distant. Zane sat beside her, his arm draped protectively over her shoulders.

“She’s not going to stop,” Maya said softly.

“I know,” Zane replied, his silver eyes hard. “But neither will we.”

A Disturbing Revelation

Camilla entered the room, her expression tense as she held up her laptop. “We’ve got a problem.”

Zane straightened, his focus sharpening. “What is it?”

“I dug deeper into Helena’s communications after the attack,” Camilla said. “She’s activated a contingency plan. Something called Project Epsilon.”

Maya frowned. “What’s that?”

Camilla hesitated, her blue hair falling into her face as she scrolled through the files. “It’s… bad. If I’m reading this right, Helena’s planning a coordinated smear campaign against Zane, but it’s not just about him. She’s targeting everyone connected to him—Maya, Moretti Corps employees, even Alex and Reese.”

“She’s trying to destroy everything,” Zane said, his jaw tightening. “This isn’t just a fight for the company anymore. It’s a war for our lives.”

A Call from the Past

As the team regrouped to discuss their next move, Zane’s phone buzzed with an unknown number. He hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice sharp.

“Who is this?”

“Zane Moretti,” a woman’s voice replied, smooth and familiar. “It’s been a long time.”

Zane’s expression darkened as recognition dawned. “Isabella.”

Maya tensed at the name, her heart sinking.

“I heard you’ve been having some trouble,” Isabella continued, her tone dripping with mock concern. “Helena’s been very busy, hasn’t she?”

“What do you want, Isabella?” Zane demanded.

“Let’s just say I have some information that might interest you,” Isabella said. “But I don’t give away favors for free. Meet me tonight at the Palazzo Imperiale. Alone.”

Zane’s silver eyes flashed with anger. “If this is one of Helena’s traps—”

“It’s not,” Isabella interrupted. “I’m done with her games. I’ll see you tonight, Zane. Or not. Your choice.”

The line went dead, leaving the room heavy with tension.

Debating the Risk

“You’re not going,” Maya said firmly, her green eyes blazing as she turned to Zane.

“She might have something we can use,” Zane countered.

“Or she might lead you straight into a trap,” Alex said, his tone grim. “You know how she operates, Zane. She’s as manipulative as Helena.”

“She’s desperate,” Zane said. “And that makes her vulnerable. If she’s really turning on Helena, this could be the break we’ve been waiting for.”

Maya shook her head, her voice trembling. “You can’t keep putting yourself in danger like this, Zane. What if something happens to you?”

Zane stepped closer, his silver eyes softening. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, Maya. I promise.”

Maya held his gaze, her worry evident. “You always say that. But every time, it gets closer.”

“I have to do this,” Zane said gently. “For us.”

The Meeting

That night, Zane arrived at the Palazzo Imperiale, a grand and opulent building that glittered under the city lights. He entered the lobby, his posture confident despite the tension in his chest.

Isabella was waiting for him in a private lounge, her presence as striking as ever. She wore a sleek black dress, her dark eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and regret.

“Zane,” she said, her lips curving into a faint smile. “It’s been too long.”

“Cut to the chase,” Zane said, his tone cold. “What do you want?”

Isabella’s smile faltered slightly, and she leaned forward. “I want what Helena took from me. My career, my reputation, my life. She ruined me, Zane. And now, I want to ruin her.”

Zane studied her, his silver eyes unreadable. “Why should I trust you?”

“You shouldn’t,” Isabella admitted. “But you don’t have much of a choice, do you? I know where Helena’s keeping her most sensitive files. The kind of files that could bring her down for good.”

The Bargain

“What do you want in return?” Zane asked, his voice sharp.

“Protection,” Isabella said simply. “Once Helena finds out I betrayed her, she’ll come for me. I need a way out. A fresh start. And you’re the only one who can give me that.”

Zane’s jaw tightened. “If you’re lying—”

“I’m not,” Isabella said, her tone earnest. “I’ve already burned every bridge I had left. This is my last chance, Zane. And yours.”

Zane hesitated for a long moment before nodding. “Fine. But if you cross me, Isabella, you’ll regret it.”

Isabella smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Returning to the Team

Back at the suite, Zane relayed the details of the meeting to the team. Maya’s expression was a mixture of relief and frustration.

“You trust her?” Maya asked, her voice incredulous.

“No,” Zane admitted. “But if she’s telling the truth, this could be the leverage we need to end this.”

Camilla pulled up a map of Helena’s known properties. “If she’s keeping sensitive files, they’ll be heavily guarded. We’ll need a solid plan to get in and out without alerting her.”

Alex nodded. “I’ll coordinate with the security team. If this is our shot, we can’t afford to miss.”

Helena’s Realization

At her villa, Helena’s assistant approached her nervously, holding a tablet. “Ma’am, we have a problem.”

Helena’s eyes narrowed. “What is it now?”

“It’s Isabella,” the assistant said. “She’s gone rogue. We’ve intercepted communications suggesting she’s working with Zane.”

Helena’s expression darkened, her voice a deadly whisper. “Then it’s time to remind Isabella what happens to traitors.”