Chapter 4: The Hidden Betrayal

“Selene, I need a moment with you,” I said, stepping into her corner office.

She didn’t flinch. Selene always had an air of unshakable confidence, her tailored blazer and perfectly coiffed hair adding to her polished facade.

“To what do I owe this unexpected visit?” she asked, folding her arms and leaning against the desk.

“I’ve been reviewing the financial records from three years ago,” I said, closing the door behind me. “There are discrepancies. Large sums moved to an offshore account that doesn’t match any authorized transactions.”

Her smile faltered, just for a moment. “And you’re coming to me because…?”

“Because these accounts were linked to a project you personally oversaw,” I said, locking my gaze on her. “I want answers, Selene.”

She laughed lightly, a forced sound that grated on my nerves. “Elias, I run dozens of projects. You’ll have to be more specific.”

“Don’t play coy with me,” I snapped. “The Westbrook tech deal in Paris. The one Victoria was overseeing before—” I stopped myself, the weight of the name hanging in the air like a bomb waiting to explode.

“Before you threw her to the wolves?” she said, her tone sharp and cutting. “Yes, I remember it well. What about it?”

I stepped closer, my jaw tightening. “The funds that disappeared? They were funneled through dummy accounts under your department.”

Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, something flickered across her face. Fear? Guilt? I couldn’t tell.

“You’re accusing me?” she said, her voice rising. “Your own sister?”

“I’m asking you for the truth,” I said, my voice low but firm. “Because if you had nothing to do with it, you won’t mind explaining why your signature is on the approval forms.”

Selene’s face paled, but she quickly recovered, straightening her shoulders. “You’ve always been so quick to point fingers, Elias. Maybe if you’d spent less time doubting me and more time managing your marriage, none of this would’ve happened.”

Her words hit me like a slap, but I refused to let her see it. “This isn’t about my marriage. It’s about the truth. Did you frame Victoria?”

She laughed again, this time more bitterly. “You’re still obsessed with her, aren’t you? Even after everything she supposedly did, you can’t let her go.”

“Because she didn’t do it!” I roared, slamming my fist on the desk. “I know she was innocent, Selene. And I’m going to prove it, with or without your help.”

Selene’s eyes darted to the door, and for the first time, I saw something crack in her composed exterior. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, Elias,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Then enlighten me,” I said, stepping closer.

But she shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You think you’re chasing the truth, but all you’re going to find is more betrayal. Be careful, Elias. Some secrets are better left buried.”

I stared at her, my chest heaving. “This isn’t over,” I said, turning on my heel and storming out of the office.

---

Back in my private study, I poured over the files again. Every document, every transaction, every email thread—there was a pattern, one I couldn’t ignore. And it all pointed to Selene.

I picked up my phone and dialed. “James, I need you to dig deeper into those accounts I sent you. Focus on any connections to Selene Westbrook.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Elias, are you sure about this?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “And I want answers by tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

I hung up and leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. The guilt gnawed at me. How had I been so blind? How had I let my own sister manipulate me into destroying the woman I loved?

The thought of Victoria made my chest tighten. I couldn’t shake the image of her face when she read that text message earlier. The way her eyes had widened, the color draining from her cheeks. Someone was still playing games, and I had a sinking feeling I knew who it was.

---

The next morning, James called. “Elias, I’ve found something,” he said, his voice tense. “You’re going to want to see this in person.”

“Send it to me,” I said, already pulling on my jacket.

“No. Not over the phone. Meet me at the office in an hour.”

I hung up, my mind racing.

---

James was waiting for me in the conference room, a stack of files spread out across the table.

“What is it?” I asked, stepping inside.

He gestured to the documents. “These are the records you asked for. The dummy accounts, the offshore transfers—it all checks out. But there’s more.”

He slid a folder across the table. “These emails were buried deep in the archives. They’re correspondence between Selene and a man named Marcus Langley. Ring any bells?”

“Marcus was one of my business partners,” I said, frowning. “He retired two years ago.”

“Not exactly,” James said. “He was forced out after a scandal involving misappropriated funds. And guess who orchestrated the buyout?”

I stared at him, my heart sinking. “Selene.”

James nodded. “She’s been working with Langley for years, Elias. They’ve been funneling money out of the company and pinning the blame on others—Victoria included.”

I sank into a chair, the weight of the revelation crushing me. “This can’t be happening,” I muttered.

“There’s more,” James said, pulling out another folder. “I found this in Selene’s personal files. It’s a contract—one that names her as the primary beneficiary of the Westbrook estate if you were to step down.”

I stared at the papers, my blood running cold. “She’s been planning this all along,” I said. “The scandal, the betrayal—it was all to position herself as the heir.”

James nodded. “And she’s not done. There’s evidence she’s been in contact with the board, trying to undermine your authority.”

I clenched my fists, anger boiling inside me. “I need to confront her.”

James hesitated. “Elias, this is bigger than just Selene. If you go after her without solid proof, she’ll bury you.”

“I don’t care,” I said, standing up. “She’s already taken too much from me. It’s time to fight back.”

---

As I left the office, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number.

“We need to talk about Selene. It’s worse than you think.”

I stared at the message, my heart pounding. Who was this? And how did they know about Selene?

My grip tightened on the phone as I dialed the number. The line rang once, twice, and then a voice answered.

“You’re in danger, Elias,” the voice said. “Selene isn’t who you think she is.”