Chapter 38

Isabella stood by herself in the darkened room, the burden of the disclosures bearing down on her chest. The silence after Xander's departure sounded deafening. The world she believed to be her own was collapsing beneath her feet, and it wasn't just Xander who betrayed her. She had been living in the shadow of lies for years, and her parents had been killed because they were too near to the truth.

However, the fog had now dissipated. The way forward was obvious: with or without Xander, she would destroy the Alliance. Nothing else was an option for her.

A few of days later, Isabella was seated in a quiet café outside the city. Selena, the lady who had given her a lifeline but also rocked her world with the truth, sat across from her. As the one person Isabella could trust, Selena had played a crucial role in her parents' investigation years prior.

Selena examined the room and murmured, "We have to move carefully," in a quiet voice. "The Alliance is watching everything. They'll realise you've got them after one misstep."

Isabella gripped the edge of her cup with her fingers as she nodded. "What’s the next step?"

Over the table, Selena slid a little folder. "Before they were murdered, your parents took thorough notes. Some of it was saved by me. The secret to revealing the Alliance's activities may lie in this.

Isabella was taken aback by the familiar handwriting when she opened the packet. Her parents' painstaking notes, which revealed years of investigation, pointed to secret accounts, influential people, and pervasive corruption. Now that they had come so close to discovering the truth, it was her responsibility to complete the task at hand.

"We need to find more evidence," Selena went on. "Something tangible. The Alliance will be unable to stop the news before it becomes widely known if we are able to leak it to the media."

Already, Isabella's thoughts were racing with potential outcomes. "In the press, I have some contacts. We are able to cooperate with them.

Selena gave a slight nod of agreement. "Well done. But keep in mind, Isabella, that the Alliance is brutal. They won't think twice about pursuing you.

Isabella became stern-eyed. "Let them try."

The next week, Isabella and Selena meticulously outlined their strategy. The stolen records from her parents would serve as a guide as they delved deeper into the Alliance's financial affairs. They might bring important members to the fore and reveal their connections to corruption if they applied the appropriate pressure.

The tension between Isabella's thirst for vengeance and the danger that awaited her grew as they worked. She was aware that there would be dangers involved in overthrowing a group as strong as the Alliance, therefore she wasn't stupid. However, she experienced a revitalised sense of purpose for the first time in months.

Even though she had lost a lot, she was beginning to regain some of her identity in this battle. Determination was taking the place of the dread and uncertainty that had previously prevented her from moving forward.

Isabella got a message one evening from an unidentified number. It was a straightforward message: Meet me at midnight at Pier 12. I've got the information you require. No other information, no signature.

Even though it was risky, she felt compelled to leave.

The cool night breeze whipped Isabella's hair as she stood on the docks later that evening. With her heart thumping in her chest, she looked around the dim, silent space. The city itself seemed to be holding its breath, and the eerie silence was oppressive.

From the distance, a man approached her, casting a shadow.

The man whispered, "Isabella," when he spoke.

She shouted, "Who are you?" as her hands automatically went to the tiny pistol concealed in her cloak.

He said, "Someone who can help you," and paused a few steps away from her. "Before your parents passed away, I worked with them. I'm aware of what they discovered.

Isabella's heart began to race. Then let me know. "What did they find?"

As though anticipating being observed, the man paused and looked about. "Your parents came dangerously near to ruining the Alliance's whole enterprise. They found that the group was behind illegal arms trades, human trafficking, and the laundering of billions of dollars through offshore accounts in addition to political corruption.

Isabella was filled with rage. "And you’re just telling me this now?"

"I had to wait until it was safe," he said, his eyes glowering with sense of shame. "The passing of your parents served as a warning to everyone who dared to delve too far. The Alliance has members everywhere. Now, however, things are changing. If you play your cards correctly, you can expose the weaknesses in their network.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Still apprehensive by the unexpected entrance of this guy, Isabella enquired.

"You don’t," he took in. However, you also have limited options. The clock is ticking. There is a growing suspicion among the Alliance that they are being pursued. If you don't take quick action, they'll hide their traces."

Isabella was aware that time was not on her side. Given the size of the Alliance and their apparent unstoppable might, she needed to move fast if she had any chance of defeating them.

She and Selena put in endless hours over the next few days, assembling the last pieces of the puzzle with the fresh information from the enigmatic informant. They discovered a paper trail that connected to some of the nation's most influential individuals, as well as shell corporations and secret bank accounts.

However, the danger increased as one got closer to the truth.

Selena was correct; the Alliance was watching everything. They were aware that someone was pursuing them, and they would shortly strike back.

When Isabella got back to her flat one evening, the door was open. She slowly entered, her fingers clutching the handle of her pistol, her heart pounding. It was dark and hauntingly silent in the flat.

A figure suddenly sprang at her from the darkness, and she moved quickly, throwing the intruder off-balance. Her sword slammed on their chest, and after a little battle, she was able to pin them down.

With deadly calm, she screamed, "Who sent you?"

Fear contorted the man's face as he gazed up at her. "All I am is a messenger. I had been dispatched to convey a warning.

"A warning?" With rapid, short gasps of air, she asked. "From the Alliance?"

Trembling beneath her, he nodded. "They understand what you're doing." "Tell me to back off, or else," they said.

Isabella's eyes were flaming with rage as she tightened her hold on the weapon. "Tell them I’m just getting started."