The tension in the secretary's office was palpable as Darwin stepped out of his office, his sharp gaze scanning the room.
“What’s all the noise about?” he asked coolly. Tony Potter wasted no time, storming over and pounding his chest in frustration. He launched into an impassioned explanation of the issue with the sales contract, emphasizing the gravity of the mistake. Standing behind Darwin, Bella adopted an expression of feigned concern. “Mr. Potter, I’m sure Fiona was just momentarily distracted,” she said sweetly. “Calm down—there will be other opportunities. It’s not worth upsetting yourself and risking your health.” Fiona’s eyes narrowed as she turned to Bella, her tone cold and cutting. “Miss Robbins, who exactly are you accusing?” Bella feigned a startled look, her voice softening. “Fiona, you misunderstood. I was just trying to—” She trailed off, glancing at Darwin for support. “Darwin...” Darwin’s gaze flicked to Fiona, his expression unreadable. His lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. The fox that had played the part of a harmless rabbit for five years was finally showing its claws. “It’s okay,” Darwin said, his tone calm but dismissive, as though soothing Bella. Bella ducked her head, feigning fear, as if Fiona’s mere presence intimidated her. Darwin’s voice turned icy. “Fiona, she can’t accuse you, but I can. Right?” Fiona blinked, taken aback. A tightness gripped her chest. Did Darwin truly not trust her after all this time? Darwin pulled a few sheets of data from a file and placed them in front of her. “Even if someone tampered with the numbers, the signature on these documents is yours. Correct?” Fiona glanced at the papers and nodded. “Yes.” “Then you can’t escape responsibility.” His voice was cold, final. “I’ll give you three days to sort this out. If you don’t, the company will follow protocol and report the matter to the authorities.” Fiona stared at him, suppressing the sting of betrayal that threatened to rise. She had expected this reaction. Darwin was nothing if not vengeful, especially when someone defied him. “Fine,” she said firmly, her tone unflinching. Darwin’s expression darkened. Her defiance, her unshakable calm, irritated him in ways he couldn’t explain. He said nothing more and turned sharply, retreating to his office. Bella shot Fiona a triumphant smirk as she followed him inside, her heels clicking against the floor. By the afternoon, rumors of Fiona’s alleged betrayal spread like wildfire. Whispers and judgmental glances followed her everywhere, but Fiona ignored them, her focus on finding the truth. She retreated to the company’s library, carrying her laptop and the relevant documents. The quiet space offered some solace as she sifted through the details of the project. Her phone buzzed, and Thalassa’s fiery voice greeted her. “Fiona, what’s going on? I heard everything! We need to find out who did this!” Fiona sighed. “And then what? Clear my name?” “Of course! And teach them a lesson while we’re at it!” Thalassa snapped. “But the deal is already in jeopardy,” Fiona said solemnly. “If we don’t salvage it, months of hard work from so many people will be wasted. That’s what matters most.” Thalassa paused, her voice softening. “So what’s the plan?” “I’m going to fix this,” Fiona replied. “There’s a cruise party tomorrow night. William Newton, R&K’s boss, will be there. I’ll optimize the proposal tonight and present him with a new plan.” “I’ll handle the invitations,” Thalassa said decisively. “But you know William has a reputation for being...difficult.” Fiona nodded, her determination unwavering. “We won’t know unless we try.” The next evening, the pier sparkled with the lights of the luxurious cruise ship, a grand vessel hosting Bay City’s elite. Wealthy socialites and influential figures mingled on deck, dressed to impress in designer attire. Fiona and Thalassa had managed to board, but not as guests. Lacking invitations, they had entered under the guise of event staff. “Sorry about this,” Thalassa muttered, glancing at her own modest uniform. Fiona smiled reassuringly. “It doesn’t matter how we got on, as long as we’re here.” As the party got underway, Fiona found a secluded spot to change into her dress. She carefully slipped into the golden mermaid-style gown Thalassa had insisted she buy. It hugged her figure perfectly, the shimmering fabric catching the moonlight. Climbing out of a low window to avoid the staff area, she adjusted her heels and brushed stray hair from her face. She was about to head towards the main deck when she heard a low chuckle behind her. “Caught red-handed,” a voice teased. Fiona turned, her gaze landing on a strikingly handsome man with tousled curls and sharp features. He held a champagne glass and grinned at her like she was the most fascinating thing he’d seen all night. She frowned. “Sir, do you need assistance?” The man’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he gestured towards the window she had just climbed out of. “You look like a princess escaping from a fairy tale.” Fiona blinked, momentarily at a loss. She was dressed to perfection—her hair styled in loose waves, her makeup highlighting her natural beauty. Against the backdrop of the moonlit sea, she looked ethereal. “Sorry, I have something to do,” she said quickly, turning to leave. “Wait!” The man hurried to follow her, his voice playful. “You can’t just disappear like that. I don’t even know your name!” Fiona sighed inwardly, annoyed by the distraction. “It’s Fiona,” she said curtly, not breaking stride. “And I’m Ethan,” he said, easily matching her pace. His smile widened. “Now that we’re not strangers, would you do me the honor of—” “Ethan,” Fiona interrupted, her tone firm. “I’m flattered, but I have somewhere important to be.” Ethan paused, watching her disappear into the crowd. His curiosity piqued, he took a sip of champagne and muttered to himself, “Fiona...what are you up to?”The morning sun spilled over the quiet streets of Serene City, casting a soft golden glow that felt like a balm to Fiona’s frayed nerves. It was her third week in this new town, a world away from the suffocating glitz and glamour of Bay City. Here, life moved at a slower, more forgiving pace—a stark contrast to the relentless demands of Darwin Solomon’s shadow. Yet, even in the peace, her heart remained heavy, her mind restless.Fiona sat at the small breakfast table in her rented apartment, absentmindedly stirring a cup of tea. The baby inside her had become her only companion, a tiny spark of life that gave her the strength to keep moving forward. But the reality of her situation was beginning to sink in. She was alone, with no job, no stable income, and enemies lurking in the shadows.Thalassa had offered to help her financially, but Fiona had refused. She didn’t want to be anyone’s charity case—not even her best friend’s. For years, she’d lived as someone else’s pawn, dancing to D
Fiona paced the small confines of her apartment, her bare feet making soft, repetitive thuds on the hardwood floor. The evening breeze filtered through the open window, doing little to ease the restlessness in her chest. It had been three days since her confrontation with Darwin at the cruise party, three days since the revelation of Bella’s schemes had left her shaken.Three days, and yet Fiona still felt trapped—caged in a game she hadn’t agreed to play.She paused by the window, staring out at the glittering skyline of Bay City. From here, the city looked so peaceful, its chaos muted by distance. But Fiona knew better. Beneath the sparkling facade lay a tangle of power plays and betrayals—one she was now irrevocably entangled in.Her thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone. She hesitated, her stomach knotting as she recognized the number. Darwin.Taking a steadying breath, she answered. “What do you want?”“Have you calmed down enough to think rationally?” His voi
Fiona hadn’t expected it to be easy. Nothing ever was where Darwin Solomon was concerned. But as the days wore on, she found herself drawn deeper into his world again—this time, with no illusions about the consequences.The glittering skyline outside Darwin’s penthouse painted the city in shades of gold and deep violet. From the expansive windows, she could see the towers of Bay City, a world of power, wealth, and the ever-present tension that came with it. Fiona sank back into the plush leather chair, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. Her fingers brushed across the folder in front of her—evidence of the threats closing in on them, on her. The files were filled with betrayal, sabotage, and lies.Despite Darwin’s warnings, there was still a part of her that wanted to turn away from this fight. After all, she had spent years in the shadows, enduring as Darwin’s stand-in for Lilian. She had watched from the sidelines as his world spun out of control. But now, everything was different
The minutes felt like hours as Fiona stood beside Darwin, staring at the glowing lights of Bay City, each one representing a potential threat, a rival, or an obstacle in their path. The air between them was thick with the weight of their shared knowledge. The trap was set, and it was only a matter of time before it would snap shut.Fiona knew they couldn't afford to wait around. Bella and William had already made their move, and while Fiona had spent the last few days covering her tracks, the danger was still very real. Darwin was right to be worried. Once their enemies knew they were no longer hiding in the shadows, everything would change.“We need to get ahead of them,” Fiona said, breaking the silence that had lingered since Darwin had caught up with her. Her voice was steady, even though her insides were churning with anxiety. “We can’t afford to wait for them to make the first move.”Darwin nodded, his face taut with determination. “I’ve already started moving pieces into place.
Fiona’s fingers trembled as she clutched her phone, staring at the message that had just appeared on the screen. They know. The words echoed in her mind, sending a chill down her spine. Her heart raced, and the weight of the moment pressed heavily on her chest. Had she made a mistake by playing both sides? Or had the walls she was trying to carefully build already begun to collapse?Her breath came in shallow bursts as she stepped out of the elevator, the sound of the doors closing behind her almost deafening in the stillness. The marble floors of the building gleamed under the overhead lights, but everything felt suddenly distant. The polished, pristine world of R&K Electronics, and by extension, her entire carefully constructed world, seemed to blur at the edges. This wasn’t just a business game anymore; it was war, and she was standing right at the frontline.She quickly gathered herself, forcing the rush of panic back into the recesses of her mind. There was no time to second-gues
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the city that never slept. Bay City seemed alive with an energy that pulsated through the streets, but Fiona’s mind was far from the vibrant lights and sounds. Her world had narrowed down to a singular thought: they were running out of time. She sat at her desk, the once-organized piles of paperwork scattered in front of her, untouched. Her phone lay next to her, its silence almost as loud as the chaos she was feeling inside. Darwin had been distant since their last conversation, but that was understandable. There was little time for pleasantries when the stakes were this high. They had both been walking on the edge for too long, and one misstep could send them tumbling into the abyss. The message from her mysterious contact still echoed in her mind: They know. It wasn’t just an idle warning—it was a declaration of war. Fiona had thought she could outsmart William, could play him the same way she had played others, but William
Fiona stared at the message in disbelief, her heart pounding in her chest as the words seemed to etch themselves into her mind. I know what you’re planning. And I’m coming for you. There was no mistaking the cold, calculated tone of the warning. William was no longer just a business rival or an obstacle in her path. He had become a predator, hunting her down with ruthless precision. For a long moment, she simply stood there, her phone in hand, her mind racing. She had known the stakes were high, but now, the weight of her situation felt suffocating. There was no room for error. The game had shifted, and the consequences of any misstep would be dire. But despite the fear gnawing at her insides, Fiona knew she couldn’t back down. She couldn’t allow William to destroy everything she had worked for—and more importantly, everything she was about to build with Darwin. Thalassa’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Fiona, what did he say?” Fiona looked up, meeting her best friend’s concerned
The elevator hummed softly as it descended to the underground garage, but Fiona's heart raced faster than the machine could move. Thalassa’s voice echoed in her mind, her best friend’s urgent warning laced with fear: “They’re on their way to you. Don’t wait. Move now.”Darwin stood beside her, his stance stiff and his jaw set in a grim line. Though he hadn’t questioned her urgency, she knew he didn’t yet grasp the full gravity of the situation. The cold efficiency in his movements betrayed his years of operating under high stakes, but this wasn’t just a business deal gone wrong. This was personal, and it was dangerous.“Darwin,” she said, her voice low but firm, “this isn’t just a scare tactic. William’s people are coming for us, and they aren’t going to play fair.”His gaze shifted to her, sharp and assessing. “I figured as much. That’s why I’ve already locked the building down and stationed more guards at the exits.”She wanted to believe that would be enough, but deep down, she dou
The fire burned long into the night.Fiona stood at a distance, watching the last remnants of the Echelon turn to ash. It was strange—she had spent so long fighting to bring them down, but now that it was over, there was no sense of triumph. No victory parade. Just the cold realization that they had survived, and that survival always came at a cost.Darwin stood beside her, arms crossed, the glow of the flames reflecting in his dark eyes. He had barely spoken since they escaped the blast zone. Neither had Bella or Marcus.They had won.So why did it feel like the battle wasn’t truly over?---Loose EndsBack at the safehouse, the exhaustion was starting to set in.Marcus was at his workstation, sifting through encrypted files. Bella was nursing a whiskey, watching the news play in the background. Reports were already spreading—an "accidental gas explosion" had destroyed a Zurich landmark. No mention of Cain Lachlan. No mention of the Echelon.Fiona leaned against the table, rubbing he
Cain Lachlan thought he had won.He had declared himself the new leader of the Echelon, swept up the remnants of Grayson’s power, and positioned himself at the top. But there was one thing he hadn’t accounted for.Fiona Callahan wasn’t finished.She sat at the center of the safehouse’s dimly lit command room, her fingers steepled as she studied the holographic map Marcus had pulled up. The target was clear—an old private club in Zurich, a place where the Echelon’s elite had gathered in secrecy for decades.And Cain was hosting his meeting there.“Security?” Fiona asked, eyes locked on the glowing blueprint.Marcus tapped a key. “Standard for a high-level meet. Armed guards at all entrances, security checkpoints at the lobby, and elevator access. Backup teams on standby in the surrounding area.”Darwin folded his arms. “So, we can’t just walk in.”Bella smirked. “Why not? We’ve done dumber things.”Fiona ignored the sarcasm. “Cain isn’t Grayson. He doesn’t rely on control—he thrives on
The body hadn’t even hit the ground before Fiona was moving. She had less than a minute before Grayson’s security forces converged on the estate. The bullet wound on his chest was still seeping, a dark pool of blood spreading over the marble floor, but there was no time to process it.He’s dead.But the war wasn’t over.Marcus’s voice crackled through the earpiece. “Movement. You need to move now.”Bella was already holstering her gun, her expression unreadable. “Let’s go.”Fiona took a breath, forcing her mind to focus. Grayson’s death was a victory, but it had left a power vacuum—a dangerous one. The remnants of his network wouldn’t simply dissolve. If anything, they’d be looking for a new leader. And if no one filled that space, someone worse would.Darwin was at her side, his eyes scanning the hallway. “Which way?”Fiona’s mind worked fast. The front entrance was a no-go—security would be flooding in from there. The terrace? Too exposed. The underground tunnels?“We take the south
The message lingered on Marcus’s screen like a challenge carved in stone.Meet me in 24 hours. Alone.Fiona read it twice, then a third time. Silas Grayson never did anything without reason. If he was offering a meeting, it wasn’t out of desperation—it was a calculated move.Darwin frowned as he paced behind her. “This could be a trap.”Bella crossed her arms. “Could be? It is a trap.”Fiona exhaled slowly. “I know.”Marcus was already running a trace on the message, but his face told her everything. “It’s bouncing through too many relays. I can’t track the origin.”Fiona nodded, already making up her mind. “I’m going.”Darwin stopped pacing. “Alone? No way.”Bella scoffed. “You’ve lost it, haven’t you? Grayson’s pissed. We just tore his empire apart. You think he’s going to let you walk out of there?”Fiona turned to them, her gaze steady. “That’s exactly why I have to go. We didn’t just take Overwatch—we’ve crippled his network. That means he has fewer pieces left to play. He wouldn
The Zurich data heist had given them exactly what they needed—a road map of Silas Grayson’s network. But it had also painted a target on their backs.Sitting in the dim glow of the underground bunker, Fiona scrolled through pages of decrypted files while Marcus cross-referenced data points. Darwin paced nearby, his mind working through their next steps, while Bella leaned against the metal table, arms crossed.“This isn’t just a network,” Marcus murmured, adjusting his glasses. “Grayson built a failsafe. A backup plan.”Fiona frowned. “What kind of backup plan?”Marcus hesitated, then brought up a schematic of a high-security facility. “He calls it Project Overwatch. If the Echelon collapses, Overwatch activates—a fully automated system designed to ensure Grayson’s continued influence. Key leaders in politics, finance, military sectors… all with contingency triggers that he can pull at any moment.”Darwin exhaled. “So even if he falls, his system keeps running.”Bella shook her head.
The air in the club felt heavier now, thick with the weight of Liana’s words.You don’t kill it. You replace it.Fiona exhaled slowly, letting the words settle. The idea was dangerous, almost unthinkable. And yet, it made perfect sense. The Echelon was too deeply entrenched, its influence too vast. Cutting off one head wouldn’t stop the beast—it would just grow another.Darwin crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "And what? You think we just walk in and take over?"Liana smirked. "Not walk in. Fight for it. The Echelon’s collapsing under its own weight. The real players are circling, waiting to carve up the remains. If you want to survive, you don’t run—you take the throne before someone else does."Bella’s voice crackled in through the earpiece. "This sounds like a suicide mission."Fiona glanced at Darwin. "Maybe. Or maybe it’s the only way we win."Liana finished her drink, standing gracefully. "You’ve got a small window before the real sharks move in. If you're serious abo
The room fell into a stunned silence.Fiona could hear the hum of the warehouse’s flickering lights, the faint sound of the city beyond, but everything else faded into the background. A hit. On them.Marcus’s voice crackled through their earpieces again, urgent and clipped. “Fiona, Darwin, Bella—you’ve all got bounties on your heads. This isn’t just some underground contract. We’re talking about a full-scale, multi-tiered kill order. Every mercenary, assassin, and rogue operative out there is going to be looking for you.”Darwin exhaled slowly, running a hand over his face. “How much?”A pause.“Five million each,” Marcus said. “Fifteen million total.”Bella let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. “Damn. We’re worth that much?”Fiona ignored the sarcasm. “Who put the order out?”Marcus hesitated. “It was relayed through encrypted channels, but the origin point traces back to multiple shell accounts linked to… Luther Cain.”All eyes turned to Cain, still sitting calmly in his chair, b
The city never slept, and neither did their enemies.Fiona sat at the kitchen table of the safehouse, tapping her fingers against a steaming mug of coffee. The tension in the room was thick. They had William behind bars, Monroe feeding them intel, and the Echelon in disarray. But there was still one thing they couldn’t ignore—power vacuums never stayed empty for long.Darwin leaned against the counter, his injured shoulder stiff but manageable. Bella sat across from Fiona, arms crossed, her sharp gaze flicking between them. Marcus, typing away on his laptop, was the only one who looked at ease, but Fiona knew better. He thrived in chaos.“Alright,” Marcus said, pushing his chair back. “Monroe’s information checks out. Offshore accounts, shell companies, hidden assets. He didn’t lie.”Bella scoffed. “Of course he didn’t. He knows the only thing keeping him breathing is his usefulness.”Fiona glanced at Monroe, who sat in the corner, hands cuffed to the chair. His expression was unreada
The city was quieter than usual at dawn. The streets were nearly empty, save for a few early commuters, and the air carried the scent of rain from a storm that had passed in the night. Fiona stared out the window of the safehouse, her fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. Her body ached, exhaustion weighing on her, but her mind wouldn’t slow down.William was gone. Arrested. Exposed.But the fight wasn’t over.Bella sat at the small kitchen table, scrolling through her phone, while Darwin leaned against the counter, still nursing his injured shoulder. Marcus, as usual, was planted in front of his monitors, typing furiously as he sifted through whatever intelligence he had gathered overnight.“I made some calls,” Marcus said, breaking the silence. “William’s arrest is already making waves. Some of his people are scattering. A few were picked up trying to board flights out of the country.”Bella snorted. “Cowards.”Fiona took a sip of her coffee. “Any sign of pushback?”Marcu