CHAPTER 84

Fiona stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the penthouse suite, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as she gazed at the city below. The skyline stretched endlessly, glittering with lights, but the view did nothing to ease the storm inside her. The weight of everything that had transpired bore down on her shoulders—William’s looming threats, Bella’s betrayal, and the tangled emotions that surfaced whenever she thought about Darwin.

A gentle knock sounded at the door, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned, expecting Thalassa, but instead, it was Marcus. His expression was unreadable, but the tightness in his posture told her he wasn’t here for casual conversation.

“We need to talk,” he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

Fiona frowned but nodded, motioning for him to sit. “What is it?”

Marcus ran a hand down his face before setting a small flash drive on the coffee table between them. “Thalassa and I have been digging deeper into William’s connections. And we found something… troubling.”

She reached for the drive cautiously, her heart already hammering. “What kind of troubling?”

Marcus exhaled. “William isn’t just using corporate espionage to ruin Darwin. He’s funding a group—offshore shell companies, hidden accounts, all linked to organizations that specialize in… unconventional tactics.”

Her grip on the drive tightened. “You mean criminals.”

“Yes. And that’s not even the worst part.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower. “He’s preparing for something bigger. The leaks, the deals he sabotaged, even the attack on you—those were just ways to weaken Darwin and isolate him. But now, William is planning a final move. If we don’t act fast, we won’t be able to stop him.”

Fiona swallowed hard, forcing herself to think through the panic clawing at her chest. “What’s his endgame?”

Marcus hesitated, then handed her a folder. “We’re still piecing it together, but this is what we know so far.”

She flipped it open, her breath catching as she scanned the documents. Some were financial transactions, others encrypted messages, but the one that sent ice through her veins was a blueprint.

It was of the Atlas Group’s headquarters.

Her fingers trembled as she traced the red markings over the structure. “You’re saying he’s planning to—”

Marcus cut her off. “Destroy everything. Darwin’s legacy, his company… and possibly anyone who stands in his way.”

A cold sweat formed at the back of Fiona’s neck. William was ruthless, but this—this was on a level she hadn’t expected. He wasn’t just trying to ruin Darwin. He wanted to wipe him out entirely.

“We need to warn him,” she said, snapping the folder shut.

Marcus nodded. “Thalassa is already working on securing evidence we can take to the authorities, but William covers his tracks too well. If we don’t have solid proof, no one will act.”

Fiona’s mind raced. Time was running out, and she had no doubt William was already setting things in motion. There was only one person who could put an end to this before it was too late.

Darwin.

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When Fiona arrived at the Atlas Group headquarters, the tension in the air was suffocating. Security was tighter than usual, and employees moved through the halls with wary glances, as if expecting something to explode at any moment.

She pushed past the growing unease and stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the executive floor. Her hands clenched at her sides as the doors slid shut.

She hadn’t spoken to Darwin since their last heated exchange. There were too many wounds between them—some fresh, some old—but right now, none of that mattered. If William’s plan succeeded, there would be no Atlas Group left to fight over.

The elevator doors opened, revealing Darwin’s assistant, Claire, who immediately straightened at the sight of her.

“Miss Woods?” Her eyes flickered with surprise. “Mr. Solomon is in a meeting—”

Fiona brushed past her. “This is more important.”

She stormed into Darwin’s office, where he stood near the conference table with two board members. His sharp gaze snapped to her the moment she entered.

“Fiona.” His voice was cool, but beneath it, she caught the edge of something else—concern. “What are you doing here?”

She ignored the tension in the room and threw the folder onto the table. “Stopping you from making the biggest mistake of your life.”

Darwin frowned, his jaw tightening as he dismissed the board members with a nod. Once they were alone, he crossed his arms. “I’m listening.”

She inhaled sharply. “William is planning something bigger than just taking control of Atlas. He wants to destroy it completely. And he’s willing to use any means necessary.”

His eyes darkened. “Explain.”

She flipped open the folder, pointing to the documents Marcus had given her. “This isn’t just about business anymore. William has connections with people who don’t operate within the law. He’s been funding groups that specialize in corporate sabotage, and now he’s setting up his final move against you.”

Darwin studied the documents, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, controlled. “And you’re certain about this?”

Fiona met his gaze. “Yes.”

A heavy silence settled between them. Then, with a slow exhale, Darwin closed the folder.

“Then we stop him,” he said simply.

Fiona blinked. “Just like that?”

He looked at her, something unreadable in his eyes. “I knew William wouldn’t back down easily. But I won’t let him win.” His voice dropped lower, and for the first time, she saw something raw beneath his usual steel exterior. “And I won’t let him hurt you again.”

Fiona’s breath hitched, but before she could respond, the office door burst open.

Thalassa rushed in, her face pale. “We have a problem.”

Darwin straightened. “What happened?”

She held up her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she played a video. “William just made his move.”

Fiona stepped closer, her stomach twisting as the video loaded. It was a live broadcast—news reporters outside the Atlas Group, speaking rapidly as chaos unfolded behind them. Security alarms blared, and employees were being evacuated.

A headline flashed across the screen:

ATLAS GROUP UNDER ATTACK—SABOTAGE SUSPECTED

Darwin’s expression turned to stone.

Fiona’s heart pounded. “We’re too late.”