CHAPTER 7

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 voice was as cold and composed as ever, but she detected an edge of impatience beneath it.

“If you’re calling to lecture me, don’t bother,” Fiona shot back. “I’ve had enough of your manipulation for one lifetime.”

“Fiona.” His tone shifted, sharper now. “This isn’t about us. It’s about the people trying to destroy everything we’ve built.”

She hesitated, her grip on the phone tightening. “What are you talking about?”

“Bella sabotaged more than just the R&K deal,” Darwin said. “She’s been leaking sensitive information to our competitors for months. And William—he’s been funding her every move. If we don’t stop them now, they’ll bring Atlas Group to its knees.”

Fiona’s pulse quickened. “And what exactly do you expect me to do about it?”

“I need your help,” he admitted, the words grudgingly delivered. “You were always better at navigating the chaos than anyone else. You see things I don’t. If we’re going to expose them, I need you by my side.”

A bitter laugh escaped her. “You’ve spent years treating me like a pawn, and now you want my help?”

“This isn’t about trust,” Darwin snapped. “It’s about survival. Do you really think Bella and William will stop with me? They’ll come after you too. After the baby.”

Fiona froze, his words hitting her like a punch to the gut. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. Bella’s ambition knew no bounds, and William’s vendetta against Darwin would stop at nothing.

“I’ll think about it,” she said finally, her voice strained.

Darwin exhaled, the tension in his tone easing slightly. “Meet me at the penthouse tomorrow. We’ll go over everything then.”

Before she could respond, he hung up, leaving her staring at the phone in her hand.

The next day, Fiona found herself standing outside Darwin’s penthouse, her heart pounding as she pressed the doorbell. The sleek, modern building loomed over her like a monument to his power and wealth.

The door swung open, and Darwin stood there, his sharp suit and cold demeanor as intimidating as ever. But there was something different in his eyes—a flicker of vulnerability she hadn’t seen before.

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside.

She hesitated for a moment before walking inside, her eyes scanning the luxurious space. The penthouse was as she remembered—minimalist and immaculate, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city.

Darwin gestured for her to sit, his expression unreadable. “I’ve compiled everything we have on Bella and William,” he said, motioning to a stack of files on the glass coffee table.

Fiona sat down, her fingers brushing over the edge of the nearest file. She opened it, her eyes widening as she took in the damning evidence inside—emails, financial transactions, surveillance photos.

“This is… a lot,” she murmured.

“It’s still not enough,” Darwin said, sitting across from her. “We need something concrete, something that ties them directly to the sabotage.”

“And you think I can find it?” she asked, arching a brow.

“You’ve always been resourceful,” he said simply. “And you know Bella better than anyone. You worked with her for years.”

Fiona’s stomach twisted at the reminder. Bella had been a colleague, someone she’d once trusted. To discover she’d been working against them all along felt like a betrayal of the worst kind.

“Fine,” she said after a long pause. “I’ll help. But this doesn’t mean I’m forgiving you, Darwin. Or that I trust you.”

“I don’t expect you to,” he replied, his gaze steady. “But I do expect you to stay focused. This isn’t just about us anymore.”

They spent hours pouring over the files, piecing together a timeline of Bella and William’s schemes. Fiona was struck by the sheer scope of their operation—it wasn’t just about money or power; it was personal.

“Why does William hate you so much?” she asked finally, breaking the silence.

Darwin’s jaw tightened, his gaze hardening. “It’s a long story. But the short version? He blames me for Lilian leaving him.”

Fiona frowned. “Lilian… as in the woman I was supposed to replace?”

Darwin nodded, his expression unreadable. “She was with William before we met. When she left him for me, it destroyed his reputation. He’s been trying to get back at me ever since.”

Fiona leaned back, processing the revelation. “So this isn’t just business for him. It’s revenge.”

“Exactly,” Darwin said. “And he’ll use anyone to get what he wants—including Bella.”

Fiona’s stomach churned at the thought. She’d always known William was ruthless, but to drag Bella into his vendetta? It was a new level of cruelty.

“What’s our next move?” she asked, pushing aside her unease.

“We find a way to force Bella’s hand,” Darwin said. “She’s ambitious, but she’s also impulsive. If we can bait her into making a mistake, we can expose her.”

“And William?”

Darwin’s gaze darkened. “He’s more dangerous. But if we take down Bella, we weaken his position. He won’t have as much leverage without her.”

Fiona nodded, determination settling in her chest. It wouldn’t be easy, but they had no choice. If they didn’t fight back, they’d lose everything.

Later that night, Fiona sat alone in her apartment, the weight of the day pressing down on her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap, that Bella and William were always one step ahead.

Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was a message from Darwin.

Stay alert. Things are about to get worse before they get better.

A shiver ran down her spine as she stared at the words. She didn’t need the reminder. The storm was coming, and she wasn’t sure they’d survive it.