Chapter 39

Isabella realised the seriousness of her choice as she saw the shaky invader get up and run from her flat. The Alliance knew she was officially in too deep to turn back now. The same way they had come for her parents, they would come for her.

But she was prepared this time.

She and Selena met early the following morning in a secluded area of the city where they wouldn't be overheard. They were on adrenaline, not sleeping, and constantly watching their backs, so the normal small conversation had been wiped out by the urgency of their position.

Isabella sat into the booth opposite from Selena and stated, "They sent someone to my flat last night," in a steely voice.

Selena's eyes grew gloomy. "Did they hurt you?"

Isabella gave a headshake. "No. All they wanted to do was frighten me. However, it isn't functioning.

Selena nodded gravely at her. "All right. Their weapon is fear, but if you don't allow it to rule you, they can't use it against you.

Isabella produced the folder containing the papers they had been gathering over the past few weeks. "We must accelerate. We may still have a chance if we can expose them before they have an opportunity to hide their tracks.

With a scowl on her face, Selena leaned forward. "I agree. However, we must be intelligent. This is our final opportunity because they have already silenced far too many individuals.

Later that night, Isabella and Selena proceeded with their riskiest scheme to date: sneaking into a high-security facility that held the Alliance's private documents. They were aware that this would be their greatest chance to find the last bit of information required to permanently dismantle the organisation.

The air was heavy with tension as they made their way towards the structure in the darkness. It wouldn't be simple, but Selena had succeeded in getting some important codes from one of her former acquaintances. Security was scurrying around the building.

"You sure you're ready for this?" As they huddled behind the bushes just outside the entryway, Selena muttered and looked at Isabella.

Isabella had a determined look in her eyes. "I’ve come too far to stop now."

They moved quickly, timing their movements to escape the guards and cameras. The atmosphere inside was eerily silent, broken only by the low hum of fluorescent lights. Using the codes to get past security, Selena led them swiftly to the records room.

When they arrived at the archives' locked door, Isabella's heart began to rush. Isabella kept watch, listening intently for any movement, while Selena worked rapidly, picking the lock.

"Got it," Selena said in a joyful whisper as she pushed the door open.

Sensitive paperwork were crammed into each of the filing cabinets that lined the room. The night patrol would be making its rounds in just a few minutes. Isabella and Selena wasted no time in searching through the cabinets, extracting data and looking for important information.

Isabella then discovered it.

a substantial folder bearing the Alliance's emblem, filled with names, dates, and transactions that linked the group to illicit arms sales, money laundering, and a corruption network that was far more extensive than they had initially thought.

Whispering, "This is it," she flipped through the damning proof, her hands shaking. "This is what we need."

Selena nodded while snapping hurried pictures of the papers. "Let’s get out of here."

However, the sound of footsteps reverberated down the hallway as they were ready to depart. Her heart leaped into Isabella's throat. Someone was on their way.

Isabella and Selena hardly had time to react before they ducked into a neighbouring storage cupboard and pressed themselves against the wall as the sound of footsteps increased. They could hear the guards conversing informally, oblivious to the intruders standing a few steps away.

"Another round done," murmured a guard. "Place has been quiet tonight."

The other person said, "Yeah, nothing to report," "Let’s head to the west wing."

As they walked away, Isabella and Selena were left in silence as the sound of their footsteps diminished.

Until the coast was clear, they dared not breathe. Selena finally gave the all-clear to move by peeking out.

With their hearts racing but their adrenaline pumping them along, they left the building. Isabella experienced a rush of excitement by the time they were securely in the vehicle and leaving the scene.

As she gazed at the folder in her lap, she declared, "We did it," "We actually did it."

Selena grinned, but it was gloomy. "This is only the start. We must now ensure that this material is made public.

Isabella and Selena put forth a lot of effort in the days that followed to get ready for their last attack. By establishing connections with reputable reporters, attorneys, and activists, they made sure that the Alliance would be unable to stop the story from spreading.

Isabella was aware that this was their final opportunity to reveal the truth. The Alliance would mercilessly smash them if they failed now. However, if they were successful, they could overthrow a corrupt kingdom that had harmed countless lives for years.

The strain increased as the deadline drew near. Isabella was aware of the burden her parents' legacy placed on her, but she felt for the first time that she could handle it. This battle was now about justice rather than retaliation.

Isabella got a surprise phone call the night before the story was scheduled to go public. When she answered, a voice she recognised answered the unlisted phone.

Xander said, "I know what you're planning," in a low, menacing voice. "You think you can take the Alliance down?"

Isabella's heart froze. "Xander…"

"You don’t understand what you’re dealing with, Isabella," Xander added in a scathing tone. "You’re making a mistake."

Isabella tightened her hold on the phone. "I'm not the one who is at fault. It's the Alliance. Additionally, they will be held accountable for all of their actions.

Before Xander spoke again, his voice lower this time, there was a lengthy silence on the other end of the queue. "You're endangering yourself. Before it's too late, you must put an end to this.

The sound of his worry made Isabella's heart hurt, but she was unable to turn back at this point. "Xander, it's too late already. What my parents started, I'm completing."

Xander let out a sigh that was laden with annoyance. "Just exercise caution, Isabella. Fair play is not practiced by the Alliance.

The line died before she could reply.