CHAPTER 24

Fiona awoke to the faint glow of morning sunlight filtering through the heavy curtains. Despite her exhaustion, sleep had been fleeting, broken by vivid dreams of shadowy figures and whispered threats. She sat up slowly, her heart heavy with the weight of the previous day's revelations.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.

“Come in,” she said, her voice hoarse.

Thalassa peeked her head inside, her expression a mix of concern and determination. “Morning, sunshine. Darwin called me last night. I’m your bodyguard for the day.”

Fiona managed a small smile. “I appreciate the effort, but I’m not exactly a damsel in distress.”

“No, you’re not,” Thalassa agreed, stepping fully into the room. “But it doesn’t hurt to have backup, especially with everything going on. Besides, you’re my best friend. You think I’m going to let you deal with this mess alone?”

Fiona sighed, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “Thanks, Thalassa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Well, luckily for you, you’ll never have to find out,” Thalassa said with a wink. “Now, get dressed. We’ve got a long day ahead.”

---

Downstairs, Darwin was already in the study, reviewing the files Marcus had decrypted. His jaw tightened as he read through the damning evidence against William and Bella. The sheer audacity of their plans fueled his determination to dismantle their schemes piece by piece.

Marcus entered the room, holding a tablet. “The leak’s in motion. A few journalists are already sniffing around. It won’t be long before William’s name is all over the headlines.”

“Good,” Darwin said, his tone steely. “But it’s not enough. He’s been playing this game for years. We need to hit him where it hurts.”

Marcus hesitated. “You’re not thinking about confronting him directly, are you? That could backfire.”

Darwin’s eyes darkened. “Not yet. But when the time comes, I’ll make sure he regrets every move he’s made against me.”

---

Fiona and Thalassa spent the morning at a quiet café in Bay City, one far removed from the chaos of the corporate world. Thalassa had insisted on the outing, arguing that Fiona needed a break from the suffocating walls of the Solomon estate.

As they sipped their coffee, Fiona couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. She scanned the room discreetly, her unease growing with every passing minute.

“Something’s bothering you,” Thalassa observed, leaning back in her chair.

Fiona hesitated, then nodded. “I can’t stop thinking about yesterday. The figure I saw outside the café... I’m sure someone was watching us.”

Thalassa’s expression hardened. “If William’s got people following you, we need to be careful. But you’re not alone in this, Fiona. Darwin and I—we’ve got your back.”

Fiona smiled faintly, grateful for Thalassa’s unwavering support. But even as she tried to relax, the sense of danger lingered, a constant reminder of the storm brewing around them.

---

By afternoon, the first wave of media reports began to surface. Headlines screamed accusations of corporate espionage and corruption, with William Newton’s name prominently featured.

Darwin read each article with satisfaction, knowing the public scrutiny would force William to act. The more he scrambled to protect his reputation, the more vulnerable he would become.

But as the day wore on, Darwin’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from an unknown number. He hesitated briefly before answering.

“Solomon,” he said curtly.

A low, mocking laugh greeted him. “Darwin. Always so composed, so confident. Tell me, how does it feel to have your precious empire slipping through your fingers?”

Darwin’s grip on the phone tightened. “William.”

“Surprised?” William taunted. “I thought I’d call and congratulate you on your little smear campaign. Clever, but amateurish. You’ll have to do better than that if you want to take me down.”

Darwin’s voice was cold. “Your arrogance will be your downfall, William. The world is starting to see you for what you really are.”

“Perhaps,” William said, his tone casual. “But I wouldn’t celebrate just yet. You see, I’ve got my own surprises in store. Fiona, for instance—such a fascinating woman. Did you know she’s been quite the topic of conversation lately?”

Darwin’s blood ran cold. “If you lay a finger on her—”

“Oh, relax,” William interrupted, his tone dripping with mockery. “I wouldn’t dream of hurting her. But the truth has a way of causing pain, doesn’t it? Especially when it’s splashed across every news outlet in the country.”

The line went dead before Darwin could respond. He stared at the phone, his mind racing. William’s words were a clear threat, and the clock was ticking.

---

That evening, Fiona and Thalassa returned to the estate, the weight of the day’s events heavy on their shoulders. Darwin was waiting for them in the study, his expression grim.

“We need to talk,” he said, his gaze locking onto Fiona.

Thalassa glanced between them, sensing the tension. “I’ll give you two some privacy,” she said, slipping out of the room.

“What is it?” Fiona asked, her voice wary.

Darwin hesitated, his usual confidence faltering. “William called me. He’s planning to use you in his next move. I don’t know the details yet, but we need to be prepared.”

Fiona’s heart sank. “Why does he hate you so much? What did you do to him?”

Darwin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s a long story. One that started long before you came into my life. But William doesn’t just want to destroy me—he wants to humiliate me. And he sees you as the perfect weapon.”

Fiona felt a surge of anger. “I’m not a weapon. I’m not some pawn in his game.”

“I know,” Darwin said softly. “That’s why I’m going to do everything in my power to protect you. But I need you to trust me.”

Fiona searched his eyes, seeing the sincerity in his gaze. Despite everything they’d been through, she couldn’t deny that Darwin was trying to make things right.

“I trust you,” she said finally.

Darwin nodded, relief flickering across his face. “Good. Because this fight is far from over.”

As the night deepened, the shadows around them seemed to grow darker, the stakes higher. But in that moment, Fiona and Darwin stood united, ready to face whatever lay ahead.