CHAPTER 48

The world around William Ashford was beginning to crumble.

The proof Fiona and Thalassa had uncovered was damning—offshore accounts, fraudulent payments, and direct evidence linking him to the smear campaign. It was only a matter of time before the truth went public.

And William knew it.

Sitting in his private study, he gripped a glass of whiskey, his knuckles white as he stared at the news reports flooding in.

The backlash had begun.

Several journalists had retracted their statements, claiming they had been "misled by unreliable sources." Financial analysts were questioning the legitimacy of the attacks on Solomon Enterprises, and whispers of William’s involvement were gaining traction.

More dangerously, some of his most powerful allies—those within the Echelon—had started to distance themselves.

A weak link was a liability.

And William Ashford refused to be anyone’s liability.

He set the glass down and reached for his phone. He had one last play left.

A desperate one.

But it would have to be enough.

---

A Dangerous Proposal

Darwin and Fiona had been preparing for William’s retaliation, but they hadn’t expected him to come to them first.

When Darwin’s assistant informed him that William Ashford himself had requested a private meeting, Darwin’s first instinct was to refuse.

But Fiona placed a hand on his arm, stopping him. “No. We need to hear what he has to say.”

Darwin frowned. “You think he’s desperate enough to negotiate?”

“He doesn’t have a choice.” Fiona’s gaze was cold. “And I want to see him squirm.”

That evening, they arrived at a secluded luxury hotel, where an entire penthouse had been reserved for the meeting.

Lucas and Thalassa insisted on security. They stationed guards outside, and Thalassa herself kept a weapon within reach.

When William finally entered the room, he looked composed—but Fiona could see the cracks. His suit was immaculate, his expression unreadable, but there was tension in his movements.

He was losing control.

And he knew it.

“Darwin,” William greeted smoothly, his voice betraying none of the pressure he was under. “Fiona.”

Fiona refused to stand. “I hope you didn’t ask us here to apologize. It’s far too late for that.”

William’s smirk was sharp. “No, my dear. I came here to make you an offer.”

Darwin crossed his arms. “I’m not interested.”

“You should be,” William countered. “Because the alternative is war. And I assure you, I have nothing left to lose.”

Fiona exchanged a glance with Darwin. This was it—the breaking point.

William knew he couldn’t win.

But a cornered animal was always the most dangerous.

---

The Final Offer

William sat down, clasping his hands together. “Let’s be rational about this. You have evidence against me. I won’t insult you by denying it.”

Darwin’s jaw tightened.

“But,” William continued, “I also have something you don’t. Time.”

Fiona scoffed. “Time? You’re running out of it.”

William chuckled, but there was no real amusement in his eyes. “Am I? Think about this carefully. If you release the evidence, what happens?” He leaned forward. “Yes, I’ll take a hit. Maybe even lose a few key allies. But the Echelon? They won’t crumble. They’ll adapt. And do you think they’ll let you walk away unscathed?”

He tilted his head slightly. “You expose me, and you make yourself a target. A real one. Not just in the press. But in ways you can’t imagine.”

Fiona refused to let him see her flinch.

William continued, “But there’s another way. We end this now. You hold onto your evidence, and in return, I withdraw my influence from the media. I make the scandal disappear. No more headlines, no more attacks. You and Darwin walk away, free to live your perfect little life.”

Darwin’s voice was cold. “And what do you get?”

William smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I get to keep my empire. And I stay in the game.”

Fiona let the silence stretch between them before speaking. “And what happens when you decide to come after us again? Or when the Echelon decides they don’t want us alive?”

William’s expression darkened. “Then I suggest you make yourselves untouchable before that day comes.”

He stood, adjusting his cuffs. “This is your one chance at peace. Take it. Or prepare for war.”

---

No More Deals

When William left, the room remained silent for a long moment.

Then Thalassa spoke. “So. Do we take the deal?”

Darwin let out a slow breath. “No.”

Lucas nodded in agreement. “He’s bluffing. He’s scared.”

Fiona’s voice was steady. “Then we finish this.”

Thalassa smirked. “Good. Because I just leaked everything.”

Darwin and Fiona turned to her, startled.

Thalassa shrugged. “While he was talking, I uploaded the documents to three different investigative journalists and a legal watchdog. Even if he tries to stop it, the truth is coming out.”

Darwin exhaled, a slow smile forming. “Then it’s done.”

Fiona felt something inside her ease.

For the first time, William Ashford wouldn’t be the one controlling the story.

They were.

But deep down, she knew—this wasn’t the end.

It was just the beginning.

And William would not go down quietly.

---

The Desperate Move

The fallout began within hours.

Major news networks picked up the leaks, reporting on the offshore accounts, the falsified payments, and William’s direct involvement in the smear campaign.

His board members distanced themselves. Investors began pulling out.

And then, the Echelon made their move.

William Ashford disappeared.

His office was cleared out, his mansion abandoned. His private jet was reported leaving the country, but no one knew where he had gone.

And that was the most dangerous part.

Because a man like William wouldn’t simply run.

He was planning something.

Darwin stood at the edge of the penthouse balcony, watching the city below. Fiona joined him, the cold wind whipping her hair.

“He’s not finished,” she murmured.

Darwin’s jaw tightened. “No.”

Lucas walked onto the balcony, his phone in hand. “We have a problem.”

Thalassa followed, her expression grim. “We lost track of William. But that’s not the worst part.”

Fiona turned. “What is?”

Lucas exhaled. “The Echelon just made a move.” He handed Darwin his phone.

Darwin’s eyes narrowed as he read the message.

A single sentence.

"You should have taken the deal."

The war wasn’t over.

It was just beginning.

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