CHAPTER 83

The air in the suite was thick with tension as the team prepared for their next move. The files Isabella had promised were their best chance to end Helena’s reign of chaos, but the risks were undeniable.

Camilla leaned over her laptop, typing furiously as she mapped out Helena’s known properties. “If Isabella’s right, Helena’s keeping her files at her estate on the outskirts of the city. It’s secluded, heavily guarded, and practically a fortress.”

Alex frowned as he reviewed the blueprints on the screen. “Getting in will be hard enough. Getting out with the files? That’s going to take precision.”

“We’ve faced worse,” Zane said, his silver eyes sharp. “We’ll split into two teams. One to create a diversion, the other to retrieve the files.”

Maya crossed her arms, her green eyes narrowing. “And where am I in this plan?”

Zane turned to her, his expression softening. “You’re staying here. It’s too dangerous.”

“No,” Maya said firmly. “I’m not sitting on the sidelines while you risk everything.”

“Maya—”

“Zane,” she interrupted, her voice steady. “We’re in this together. You said that. Let me help.”

After a long moment, Zane nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But you stay with the retrieval team. No unnecessary risks.”

Helena’s Preparations

At her estate, Helena paced her study, her mind racing. The betrayal from Isabella had thrown her plans into disarray, but she wasn’t finished yet.

Her assistant entered, his expression tense. “We’ve reinforced security around the files, ma’am. If Zane tries to retrieve them, he won’t get far.”

Helena’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Good. Let him come. It’ll be his final mistake.”

She walked to her desk, picking up a framed photograph of herself with Zane’s father. Her grip tightened, the glass cracking under the pressure. “It’s time to end this.”

The Mission Begins

As night fell, the team made their way to Helena’s estate. The tension in the car was palpable as Zane went over the plan one final time.

“Alex, you’re leading the diversion team. Your goal is to draw Helena’s guards away from the main building.”

Alex nodded, his expression grim. “Understood.”

“Maya, you’re with me and Camilla,” Zane continued. “We’ll enter through the east wing, where security is lighter. Once we have the files, we’ll signal Alex to extract.”

“And if something goes wrong?” Maya asked.

“It won’t,” Zane said firmly.

Infiltration

The estate loomed ahead, its grand facade lit by floodlights. The team split into their designated groups, moving silently through the shadows.

Alex’s team struck first, setting off controlled explosions near the perimeter. The guards scrambled to respond, leaving the east wing vulnerable.

“Move,” Zane whispered, leading Maya and Camilla through a hidden entrance.

Inside, the air was heavy with silence. Camilla worked quickly to disable the security cameras, her fingers flying over her tablet.

“Cameras are down,” Camilla said. “We’ve got five minutes before they realize something’s wrong.”

Zane led them deeper into the building, his movements precise and calculated. They reached Helena’s study, where the files were supposedly stored.

Camilla scanned the room with a handheld device, her expression triumphant as it beeped near a hidden panel. “Found it.”

The Files

Behind the panel was a safe, its design sleek and state-of-the-art. Camilla knelt in front of it, her tools spread out as she worked to crack the code.

“Hurry,” Zane said, his silver eyes scanning the room.

“I’m going as fast as I can,” Camilla replied, sweat beading on her forehead.

Maya stood by the door, her heart pounding as she listened for approaching footsteps. Every creak of the floorboards made her pulse race.

Finally, the safe clicked open, and Camilla pulled out a stack of hard drives and documents. “Got it,” she said, grinning.

“Let’s move,” Zane said, tucking the files into a bag.

The Trap

As they made their way back to the exit, the sound of shouting echoed through the halls. Maya’s stomach dropped as she realized the guards had discovered their presence.

“We’re out of time,” Zane said, his tone grim.

The group broke into a run, weaving through the corridors as the guards closed in. Camilla tripped, nearly dropping the files, but Maya grabbed her arm and pulled her back to her feet.

“Thanks,” Camilla said breathlessly.

“Just keep moving,” Maya replied.

They reached the hidden entrance just as Alex’s voice crackled through the earpiece. “We’ve got company. The guards are regrouping. Get out of there now.”

A Narrow Escape

The team burst out of the estate and into the surrounding woods, the shouts of the guards growing fainter as they ran. Zane led them to a waiting car, where Alex was already in the driver’s seat.

“Go!” Zane shouted as they piled in.

The car sped away, the tires kicking up dirt as they disappeared into the night. Maya’s heart raced as she glanced back at the estate, its lights fading into the distance.

“We did it,” Camilla said, her voice filled with relief.

“Not yet,” Zane said, his silver eyes cold. “We have the files, but Helena won’t stop until she’s finished. This is just the beginning.”

Helena’s Wrath

At the estate, Helena stood in her study, her expression a mask of fury as she surveyed the empty safe.

“They got the files,” her assistant said nervously.

Helena’s hand clenched into a fist. “Then we escalate. No more games, no more subtlety. I want Zane and Maya destroyed. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the assistant replied, his voice trembling.

Helena stared out the window, her mind racing. “They think they’ve won. But they haven’t seen anything yet.”