CHAPTER 25

The tension in the study lingered long after Fiona left to join Thalassa upstairs. Darwin remained seated, his thoughts consumed by William’s cryptic threats. The phone call had been more than a warning—it was a challenge, a clear indication that William was ready to escalate their battle.

Darwin’s fingers drummed on the edge of his desk as he reviewed the situation. William’s obsession with revenge was dangerous, but it was the subtlety of his tactics that made him a true threat. Unlike the typical corporate rival, William was calculating, using every vulnerability he could find to strike where it hurt most.

And now, Fiona was in his crosshairs.

Darwin picked up his phone and dialed Marcus. The line connected almost immediately.

“Marcus, I need a complete report on William’s recent movements,” Darwin ordered, his voice steely. “Every meeting, every call—anything that could give us insight into his next move.”

“I’m already on it,” Marcus replied. “But I should warn you—William’s been keeping a low profile since the articles came out. It’s like he’s waiting for the perfect moment to counter.”

Darwin leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. “Then we need to force his hand. Keep digging, and don’t let up.”

---

Meanwhile, Fiona sat in her room, staring out at the city lights twinkling in the distance. Thalassa was perched on the edge of the bed, scrolling through her phone with a frown.

“I don’t like this,” Thalassa muttered. “The way Darwin’s acting, the things William’s been doing—it feels like we’re all walking into a trap.”

Fiona sighed, her fingers toying with the edge of her sweater. “I hate feeling like a liability. Like I’m just waiting for the next disaster to happen.”

“You’re not a liability,” Thalassa said firmly, setting her phone aside. “You’re smart, Fiona. And you’ve survived more than most people could handle. But we need a plan. Sitting around and waiting for William to strike isn’t an option.”

Fiona nodded, a flicker of determination igniting in her chest. “You’re right. I’ve spent too much time reacting to things instead of taking control. It’s time to change that.”

Thalassa grinned. “Now that’s the Fiona I know. What’s the plan?”

Fiona hesitated, her mind racing. “First, I need to figure out what William wants from me. He’s been targeting Darwin, but why bring me into it now? There has to be a reason.”

“We could start by looking into William’s past,” Thalassa suggested. “There’s got to be something there—a motive, a connection we’re missing.”

Fiona nodded. “And we’ll need help. Darwin might have resources, but I don’t want to rely on him for everything. This is my fight too.”

---

The next morning, Fiona and Thalassa set their plan into motion. They started by combing through public records and news archives, searching for anything that could shed light on William’s history.

As the hours passed, a pattern began to emerge. William’s rise in the corporate world had been meteoric, but it wasn’t without controversy. Several former business partners had accused him of underhanded tactics, though none of the claims had ever been proven.

“What’s this?” Thalassa murmured, pointing to an old article.

Fiona leaned over, her eyes narrowing as she read the headline: Scandal at R&K Electronics: CEO William Newton Accused of Financial Misconduct.

The article detailed a failed acquisition deal between R&K Electronics and a smaller tech firm. The deal had fallen apart under suspicious circumstances, with whispers of bribery and fraud surrounding the negotiations.

“Darwin mentioned that William’s vendetta started years ago,” Fiona said thoughtfully. “Could this have been the beginning?”

“Possibly,” Thalassa said, scrolling down the page. “But there’s something else. Look—Darwin’s name comes up in the article.”

Fiona’s heart sank as she read the paragraph. According to the report, Atlas Group had been involved in a bidding war for the same tech firm, ultimately securing the deal after R&K Electronics withdrew.

“So this was about more than just business,” Fiona murmured. “William didn’t just lose the deal—he lost to Darwin.”

“And he’s been holding a grudge ever since,” Thalassa finished.

---

Armed with this new information, Fiona decided it was time to confront Darwin. She found him in the study, deep in conversation with Marcus.

“Darwin, we need to talk,” Fiona said, her voice steady.

Darwin glanced at Marcus, who nodded and stepped out of the room to give them privacy.

“What is it?” Darwin asked, his expression softening as he looked at her.

Fiona placed the printed article on the desk. “This. William’s hatred for you—it started with this deal, didn’t it?”

Darwin’s jaw tightened as he scanned the page. “It’s more complicated than that,” he said finally. “But yes, that deal was the turning point.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Fiona demanded. “If I’m going to be dragged into this mess, I deserve to know the full story.”

Darwin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to burden you with my mistakes. Back then, I was ruthless, willing to do whatever it took to win. The deal with R&K was a power play, and William was collateral damage.”

Fiona crossed her arms. “So this is about revenge. He wants to destroy you the same way you destroyed him.”

Darwin’s eyes darkened. “He’s not just targeting me, Fiona. He’s targeting you because he knows it will hurt me. That’s why I didn’t want you involved in this.”

Fiona’s voice softened. “I appreciate you trying to protect me, but I’m already involved, Darwin. And I won’t stand by while he uses me as a pawn.”

Darwin studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded. “You’re right. We’ll face this together.”

---

As night fell, the air seemed to thrum with tension. Marcus returned with an update, his face grim.

“William’s been meeting with several influential figures, including a few journalists,” Marcus reported. “He’s planning to release something big, and it’s aimed directly at Fiona.”

Darwin’s fists clenched at his sides. “We need to stop him.”

“We might not have time,” Marcus warned. “Whatever he’s planning, it’s already in motion.”

Fiona stepped forward, her voice steady. “Then we need to beat him to the punch. If he’s going to expose something about me, I’ll take control of the narrative. I won’t let him dictate my story.”

Darwin looked at her, admiration flickering in his eyes. “You’re stronger than I ever gave you credit for, Fiona.”

She smiled faintly. “I’ve had to be.”

But even as they prepared for the next battle, a sense of unease settled over the room. William’s moves were unpredictable, his motives shrouded in shadows. And as Fiona stared out into the darkened city, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.