Chapter 12

There was too much tension in the mansion. Lauren watched Alex pace back and forth while perched on the edge of the couch in his study. The ferocity in his gaze was reflected in his angular movements. Dan was standing close by, rummaging through folders, his jaw clenched in annoyance.

Dan stated, "The stock is still declining." Jake's spill came at the ideal moment. Investors are in a panic.

Alex came to a sudden halt and struck the desk with his fist. He's pressuring us. However, I will not allow him to take what I have created.

Lauren got up and walked cautiously toward him. She said, "Is there anything I can do?"

Alex gazed at her, and his eyes softened a little. "Your presence is sufficient," he declared. Then he became firm once more. Jake won't stop, though. We must fight back, and we will begin by addressing those untrue reports. Speak to the media, Dan. Ensure they are aware of the truth.

Dan gave a nod. "Working on it already, sir."

Alex leaned back in his chair and massaged his temples as Dan walked out of the room. After hesitating, Lauren put a reassuring touch on his shoulder.

"We'll overcome this," she declared. "Alex, you're not alone."

Alex gazed at her for a moment, almost appreciatively. "I understand. I can't let Jake win because of this. Not when he's endangering everything that matters to me.

Alex summoned his financial and legal experts to an urgent meeting that evening. Lauren listened as they talked about ways to stop Jake's attacks while she sat silently in the room's corner.

One of the advisors declared, "We've located the source of the leaked reports." It originated from a Magnus Corporation employee. A senior manager.

Alex's gaze grew strained. "Who?"

The advisor paused. "That would be Thomas Renner."

Lauren scowled. "Thomas? He is among your most trusted individuals, isn't he?

Alex's face grew serious. "He was." However, it appears Jake reached him.

Lauren bent over. "How are you going to proceed?"

Alex's tone was icy. "Go up to him. And make sure he never gets the chance to turn on me evermore.

Alex and Dan made plans for Thomas to meet them at the Magnus Corporation offices the next morning. Despite Alex's objections, Lauren insisted on following through.

She firmly stated, "I need to see this for myself."

Thomas walked confidently into the modern conference room, but his confidence was short-lived as he spotted Alex's cold gaze. After hesitating, he took a seat opposite Alex.

Alex said, "Thomas," in a dangerously composed tone. "I had faith in you. You are now a part of my inner circle. And this is your way of paying me back?

Thomas’s face paled. “Alex, I can explain…”

“Don’t,” Alex interrupted. "We are aware that you disclosed the reports. You and Jake have been collaborating. Why?

Thomas looked from Alex to Lauren and back again. With a quivering voice, he added, "Jake offered me more than you ever could." "He promised security, wealth, and power."

Lauren became enraged. "Safety? You have endangered the livelihoods of countless individuals. How safe is that?

Thomas averted his gaze, his face marked with remorse. "I didn't anticipate it progressing this far."

Leaning forward, Alex spoke in a lethal tone. "Remorse is too late. Thomas, you're done. I'll make sure you never work in this field again when you're dismissed.

As security took Thomas out, his shoulders drooped. Lauren turned to speak softly to Alex. "Do you think Jake will be stopped by that?"

Alex gave a headshake. "No. However, it's a beginning.

Alex and Lauren were both burdened by the day's events back at the estate. The silence between them was unexpectedly comfortable as they sat together in the living room.

Alex broke the silence by saying, "Thank you for being there today." Although I didn't want you to attend, I'm happy you did.

Lauren gave a small smile. "Alex, you don't have to handle everything by yourself. Just as you have supported me, I am here to support you.

Alex extended his arm and grasped her hand. "Lauren, you're stronger than I ever realized. I don't frequently say this but Thank you for you.

At his words, Lauren's heart grew. She gave his hand a light squeeze. "We have this in common. We will work together to overcome anything Jake throws at us.

With a tiny, sincere smile on his face, Alex nodded. He felt a ray of hope for the first time in weeks.

Unable to sleep, Lauren toured the mansion later that night. The shadows were longer than normal, and the quiet hallways felt uncanny. She stopped at a window and looked out at the garden under the moonlight.

Abruptly, she saw activity close to the outer gate. Her heart leapt into her throat as a figure dashed through the darkness.

She hurried to Alex's study and yelled out to him.

She rushed in, and Alex looked up abruptly. "What is it?"

Breathlessly, Lauren replied, "Someone is outside." "I noticed them close to the fence."

Alex wasted no time at all. Reaching for his phone, he dialled Dan. "Go to the perimeter with the security team. Right now.

The silence was broken a few moments later by the sound of the mansion's alarms. As the guards patrolled the grounds, Lauren held onto Alex's side.

Dan came back with a sombre expression. We discovered proof that someone had tampered with the security cameras, sir. Whoever it was is no longer there.

Alex's face grew serious. Jake is putting us to the test. However, he has undervalued me. This is not the end of it.

Lauren shuddered as the threat grew stronger. Even though she was aware of Alex's might, she couldn't help but wonder how long they could keep the enemy away given Jake's increasing threats.