Chapter 14

Sunlight poured into the penthouse the following morning, creating lengthy shadows throughout the space. Despite the day's apparent tranquilly, Isabella's thoughts were anything but. The majority of the night had been spent in bed, her mind racing with Marcus's disclosure. The stakes were higher than ever, and Xander's life was at stake. She was aware that she needed to be cautious. The individuals behind this entire perverse plan would strike with just one mistake, and when they did, everything would come crashing down.

While enjoying his coffee and browsing through his tablet's emails, Xander sat at the kitchen table. He was reading the most recent reports from his company with a strained expression and pinched brows. Isabella could feel the world's weight bearing down on him, and she was saddened that he was unaware of the danger he was in.

"Is there anything new?" As she approached him to join him, she enquired in an attempt to be informal.

He sighed and put the tablet down, murmuring, "Nothing I didn't expect." The board is tense. Investor trust is eroding. We will have to deal with a hostile takeover before the quarter is over if this continues.

Refusing to tell him everything she knew, Isabella bit her lip. She needed to maintain her composure and follow Marcus's strategy. Error was not an option at this time.

She put a gentle hand on his arm and murmured, "We'll work something out." "You've experienced worse."

For a minute, Xander's eyes softened as he looked at her. "I'm not sure, Isa. It feels different now. It seems like someone is always one step ahead of me and counters every move I make. I simply can't get rid of the sensation that something is missing.

Her spine tingled at what he said. He was right; something was lacking. Something essential. She was unable to tell him, though. Not quite yet.

Xander's phone buzzed before she could reply, dragging him back into his never-ending business woes. He grabbed his jacket and got to his feet.

He said, "I have to go into the office." "I need to get ahead of this before things get out of hand because I have a meeting with the board in an hour."

Isabella forced a grin and nodded. "Good luck."

The burden of everything returned to her as he departed. She needed to take action quickly. Xander was going right into a trap as the clock was running out.

Isabella and Marcus met at a quiet café on the city's outskirts later that afternoon. The location was peaceful, away from the watching eyes that seemed to be there everywhere they went. When she got there, Marcus was already seated in a booth in the corner, his laptop open in front of him.

She climbed onto the seat opposite him and asked, "Did you get anything?"

Marcus grimly nodded. In an attempt to find any link to the individuals behind Vivian, I have started going over some of Xander's business documents. They've done a good job of hiding their trails, so it's difficult to track down, but some of the latest transactions seem strange. offshore accounts, or shell corporations. Everything is quite suspect.

Isabella's heart was pounding. "Do you believe that exposing them is sufficient?"

Marcus ran a hand through his hair and said, "Not yet." "We require more. Something tangible. This is a beginning, though. We may be able to identify the person actually pulling the strings if we can follow the money.

Isabella reclined, her thoughts racing. They were moving forward, but not quickly enough. Every day that went by brought catastrophe one step closer.

"How is Xander doing?" Quietly, Marcus asked. "How is he doing?"

"He seems suspicious," Isabella sighed. "He is aware that something is off, but he is unsure of what it is. Even though I detest lying to him, everything will be ruined if I tell him now.

Marcus gave a nod. "You're acting appropriately. We must exercise caution if we hope to defeat these individuals. Isa, they're hazardous. more hazardous than we initially believed.

The seriousness of the issue weighed heavily on Isabella as she gulped. Although she had been aware from the start that this was serious, it felt even more real after hearing it from Marcus. They faced strong individuals who would do everything it took to achieve their goals.

"What comes next?" she enquired.

Marcus lowered his voice and looked around. "I've been communicating with a reliable journalist. They will assist us in exposing everything if we can provide them with the evidence. However, we must be astute about this. You can't go back once the story is out.

Isabella gave a nod, her resolve stiffening. She was too far gone to turn back now. She was battling for both of them, for their future, and not just for Xander anymore.

"We'll obtain the evidence," she stated resolutely. "Whatever it takes."

Isabella went back to the penthouse that evening as the sun was setting and the city was bathed in a golden glow. Xander had already arrived home, his tie untied and his jacket thrown over a chair. He appeared worn out, but as he saw her, his eyes brightened.

"Long day?" she said as she approached him.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he mumbled, "You could say that." "Investors are leaving me, and the board is on my case. It's a mess. I'll figure it out, though. I usually do.

Despite the pain in her heart for him, Isabella smiled. He didn't even realise how much of what he was carrying was a well-made web intended to drag him down.

She took his hand and said softly, "Come on." "Let's eat dinner. You must take a vacation.

With a gleam of surprise in his eyes, Xander gazed at her. "You know that you're too kind to me?"

Isabella smiled broadly and shrugged. "Perhaps I simply care about you."

The tension between them briefly subsided and was replaced by something more genuine and pleasant. Isabella allowed herself to temporarily forget about the storm that was building around them as they sat down to dinner. Xander was beginning to lower his defences and allow her in, and she could see it in his eyes as well.

She knew in her heart, however, that this was just the quiet before the storm. And everything would be different when it struck.