Chapter 4: The Plan

The next few days felt like a blur, my life moving at a pace I couldn’t fully grasp. But that was exactly what I needed. Control. Focus. Power.

It had been years since I had felt so sharp, so aware of every decision I made. Everything I had once taken for granted—love, family, comfort—had now been replaced by something darker, something that burned in my chest with an intensity I could no longer ignore. And Alexander Blackwood, as much as I loathed to admit it, was the key to unlocking it all.

The first morning after our meeting, I woke up in my old room at the Laurent estate, the sun barely creeping through the heavy curtains. The quiet stillness felt suffocating, but I didn’t have time to waste on sentimentality. I needed to get to work.

I walked over to the dresser, where I had left the file Alexander had given me. The business acquisition documents were still there, staring back at me, daring me to take action. I ran my fingers over the crisp pages, each line of text feeling like an opportunity—an opportunity to take everything back.

Orion Tech. It was all I could think about. The company Ryan and I had built from the ground up. The company that he had stolen from me without a second thought. And now, I had a chance to take it back. But this time, it wasn’t just for me. It was for both of us. Alexander Blackwood had his reasons, and I had mine. But in the end, it was all about one thing: revenge.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my contacts, looking for the ones who still had connections within Orion. I had kept in touch with a few of the old executives, though we hadn’t spoken since the fallout with Ryan. But today, that would change. I needed them to trust me again.

The first call I made was to David Reyes, one of the former senior managers at Orion. He had been one of Ryan’s right-hand men, but I knew he had his doubts about his loyalty. The phone rang twice before David’s familiar voice came through the receiver.

“Isabella?” he said, his voice laced with uncertainty. “Is this a prank?”

“No,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “I need to talk to you. It’s about Orion.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear him calculating whether or not he should hang up. But then, to my surprise, he spoke.

“I’m listening.”

“I need your help,” I said, the words coming out smoother than I expected. “I know Ryan’s been running things for the past few months, but I think we both know he’s not as untouchable as he wants everyone to believe. I’m back in the game, David. And I need people who know Orion inside and out. You’re one of the few I can trust.”

His silence was deafening, but I could hear the wheels turning in his mind.

“Ryan’s not going to like this, Isabella,” he finally said. “But… I’ll help you. I’m not loyal to him anymore.”

“Good,” I said, allowing a small smile to slip through. “You’ll be hearing from me soon. And David? Keep this between us. If you want to stay out of trouble, you’ll have to act fast.”

“I understand.”

I hung up the phone and exhaled slowly. The first piece of my plan had fallen into place. David wasn’t the only one I needed, but he was a start. I had to move quickly, too. Ryan was probably too busy celebrating his latest conquest to notice I was back, but that wouldn’t last long. Soon, he’d feel the heat closing in. And when it did, he would wish he had never crossed me.

That evening, I went out to meet Alexander again. We had agreed on another meeting, but this time, it would be different. This time, I would show him I wasn’t just some naive girl he could manipulate. I would prove I was just as cold and calculated as he was.

The meeting took place at Blackwood Tower once again, but this time, it felt different. I felt different. The familiar scent of scotch and leather greeted me as I stepped into the private lounge, but this time, I wasn’t intimidated. I was in control.

Alexander was sitting at his usual spot, his fingers wrapped around a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling with every movement. He glanced up as I walked in, a smirk curling on his lips.

“Isabella,” he said, his voice as smooth as ever. “I see you’re ready to play.”

“I’m not here to play,” I replied, my voice steady and commanding. “I’m here to win.”

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. I took a seat across from him, the tension thick between us.

“I’ve made some moves,” I began, pulling out a folder from my bag and sliding it across the table. “I’ve made contact with a few key players at Orion. They’re not as loyal to Ryan as they used to be.”

Alexander picked up the folder and opened it, his eyes scanning the documents quickly. He didn’t seem surprised by my actions, but I could tell he was impressed.

“Good,” he said, setting the folder down. “I knew you had it in you.”

I didn’t let the compliment go to my head. It was just the beginning.

“I’ve also been thinking about how we’re going to take Orion Tech down,” I said, leaning forward. “We need to hit them where it hurts. Ryan’s not going to see it coming, but once we start making moves, he’ll panic.”

“Exactly,” Alexander agreed, his eyes narrowing as he considered my words. “We need to play the long game. Orion has vulnerabilities. Ryan’s ego is one of them. He thinks he’s invincible, but we both know the truth.”

“We strike when he least expects it,” I said, my mind already racing with possibilities. “We destabilize his position at Orion. Take away his support base. And then, we strike for the heart—his company.”

Alexander studied me for a moment, his gaze piercing through me. “You’re thinking bigger than I expected.”

“I don’t have time for small plans,” I replied coolly. “We’ll make sure Ryan regrets ever crossing me. And when he does, I’ll be the one standing on top.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair, swirling his whiskey again, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of genuine admiration in his eyes.

“You’re a dangerous woman, Isabella,” he said, his voice softening. “And that’s exactly why I need you on my side.”

The words sent a thrill through me, but I kept my expression neutral. This was far from over. I wasn’t about to let Alexander think I was anything less than a partner in this game. I wasn’t just a pawn to be moved around.

“I’m not here for your admiration,” I said bluntly. “I’m here to win. For both of us.”

Alexander’s smile grew, but there was no warmth in it—just the promise of something more dangerous, more thrilling than anything I had ever experienced.

“We’ll see how far you’re willing to go,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

And just like that, the game had begun. And there was no turning back.

As I walked out of Blackwood Tower later that night, I felt the weight of the plan settling over me like a cloak. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for—the moment I would take back what was rightfully mine.

And I would enjoy every second of it.

The road ahead would be long and full of obstacles, but I wasn’t afraid. Not anymore.

I was Isabella Laurent. And I was going to make Ryan regret ever underestimating me.

The fire inside me burned hotter now. There was no turning back.