Chapter 42

They became separated by Xander's quiet. As Isabella waited for his answer, she could feel the tension building and her heart pounding. Although she had always been suspicious of Xander's tendency to keep things to himself, she now needed him badly, and his choice would determine everything.

At last, Xander's tight voice broke the silence. The one thing that has kept me alive is what you want me to betray. You're asking me to ruin all of my hard work."

Isabella steadily maintained eye contact. "I want you to act morally." Horrible things have been done by the Alliance. You are aware of their potential. This is about all the lives they have destroyed, not just about us.

She thought for a second that Xander may go as he tightened his jaw. He turned away instead, his hands clenched. "Are you sure they'll let you live? They have eyes everywhere, even if we take them down. They will pursue you.

"I don’t care," was her stern response. "I've stopped running. I would rather die fighting if I were to die.

His eyes were filled with an emotion she was unable to recognise as he turned to face her. "Isa, you've always acted carelessly. You act without thinking before you jump into danger.

"I am thinking," she promptly retorted. "If we don't stop them, how many more people will suffer? I can't bear to think about that."

Xander stepped forward, dropping his voice as he squeezed his lips together. "How about me? If I do this for you, what will happen to me?"

Isabella gasped with surprise. He was more vulnerable than she had ever seen him. "You’ll be free," she whispered quietly. "Away from them. You are free to live your life as you wish.

He nodded slowly after studying her with an enigmatic expression. "I'll assist you. But this is how we do it. I walk, or you follow my example."

Isabella felt a wave of relief, but she knew this was only the beginning. "Okay," she said. "Your way."

Xander's eyes became gloomy. "You better hope you can handle it."

Isabella told Michael and Selena the news back at their safe house. Since they made the decision to wait, the tension had somewhat decreased, but mistrust persisted, particularly from Selena.

"Xander agreed?" Startled, Michael enquired. "That’s unexpected."

Isabella nodded, weighing the consequences of their choice. "He suffers from ailments. He desires to be in charge of the operation.

Selena chuckled and crossed her arms. "He does, of course. He won't take any action unless it will help him.

Isabella persisted, "I know you don't trust him, but we need him." "He’s the only one who can get close to the key players without raising suspicion."

"And what if he’s playing both sides?" Selena retorted. "What if he’s leading us into a trap?"

With composure but firmness, Michael interrupted, "We don't have a choice." "We need someone inside the Alliance to bring it down. Our best bet is Xander.

Although Selena's eyes glowed with rage, she stopped talking. "All right," she murmured, turning to Isabella. But I'm taking us out if this doesn't work out. You won't be lost to some perverse revenge scheme."

With a knot in her stomach, Isabella nodded. "I'll exercise caution. All of us will.

Xander presented his proposal the following morning, and it was riskier than Isabella had thought. He planned to target the Alliance's financial core, which includes offshore accounts, covert money trails, and black market transactions. They may undermine the Alliance from inside by destroying its financial system.

Xander clarified, "We hit them where it hurts," "They stay in power because of money. They are only dishonest companies without any clout without it."

Michael furrowed his face as he studied the map on the table. "This is dangerous. They'll notice us approaching.

Xander answered, "If we're smart, they won't." "Some accounts are accessible to me. I may start small, syphon money, cause misunderstandings, and give the impression that it was done by insiders. It will be too late by the time they realise."

Selena leaned forward, clearly skeptical. Furthermore, what prevents you from keeping that money for yourself? Xander, you've never been a saint.

Xander's face became expressionless. "I don't require their funds. This has to do with something more significant.

"Like what?" Selena posed a challenge.

Xander stopped and looked at Isabella. "Like making sure Isabella survives this."

Isabella felt the weight of everyone's stares as his words lingered in the air. She was unable to determine whether Xander's protectiveness was sincere or a ruse. But there was no way to doubt his intentions.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, Isabella insisted, "Let's concentrate on the plan." "We don’t have time to argue."

With a nod, Xander went back to the plan. "We start tonight."

Later that evening, when it was still dark, Xander took Isabella and Michael to a warehouse outside the city where the Alliance was transferring a lot of illicit money. They intended to transfer a sizable sum of money into an offshore account, which would start an internal probe and destabilise the Alliance.

As they made their way through the darkness, Isabella's heart pounded, each sound intensified by the uncanny quiet. The danger was evident because she had never been this close to the Alliance's main activities.

When they arrived at the building, Xander motioned for them to wait while he gained access to the security system. Isabella observed, feeling anxious. All of them were at risk if something went wrong.

After several minutes, Xander eventually gave the signal. They were in.

Inside, activity pulsed from rows of computers and surveillance equipment. Xander's fingers flew across the keyboard as he transferred the money, swiftly accessing the financial information. Isabella was on guard, keeping a close eye on the door and the screens for any indication of trouble.

"Almost done," Xander said intently.

Footsteps sounded abruptly from the corridor. Isabella gasped with surprise. "Someone’s coming."

Xander hurried his job while muttering curses.