CHAPTER 85 Final Showdown It would either all come together today, or it would all fall apart.Simeon stood next to her, his stance firm and his face blank. But she could sense the storm in him—the same one that had driven every fight they had fought together. The same one that had gotten them thus far."We have all we need," Simeon remarked quietly, his tone final. Our time is now.Elizabeth looked at him, her heart racing in her chest. She had never felt more exposed, never felt the stakes higher. On the line was all she had ever laboured for—her business, her standing, her connection with Simeon. If there is one incorrect move, it will all be finished.The papers in the file were now the key to everything, and she gazed down at them again. They were the last act, the last action to bring Alex down."We make it count," she said softly, a little vow between them, squeezing Simeon's hand firmly.His soft contact grounded her in the tempest of feelings roiling within her as he clasped
CHAPTER 86: The Ultimate Showdown The walls seemed to be closing in. Every clock tick reverberated in Elizabeth's ears as she looked at the documents before her. Though Alex had tried all he could to ruin them, this time, they were prepared. The game had evolved, yet the stakes were greater than ever.Simeon sat next to her, steadying her as usual. Though she could see the stress in his jaw and the tightness of his hand grip, his typical calmness remained unaffected. The strain was affecting both of them.Elizabeth said softly, her eyes narrowing, "This is the fight of our lives." Though the last battle was only hours away, the burden of their common goal felt more intense than ever. She was not scared. Not at this time. They would prevail.At first, Simeon remained silent. His eyes were on the papers, his brain already figuring out every conceivable result. His words came with quiet confidence. We have gotten ready for this. We cannot let him succeed.The statements reminded them t
CHAPTER 87: The Fall Of AlexAs she pressed "send," Elizabeth's fingers quivered a little. Alex's reality would soon be known worldwide. The media would go wild, his empire would start to fall apart, and there would be no turning back. She looked at Simeon, whose face was quiet, nearly unreadable. Still, she was aware that, like her, he felt the pressure of this time.For a long beat, the room was quiet; tension hung in the air. A flurry of alerts then inundated their phones. News organisations were already picking up the tale. The headlines shouted Alex's darkest secrets: years of treachery, financial mismanagement, and shady business dealings—enough to destroy him.A sharp phone call shattered the stillness. It was their solicitors.Elizabeth replied, her voice calm. "Yes?""Elizabeth, you have done it," the lawyer's voice crackled. We have sent him into a tailspin. We have to be ready, though. He won't sit back and take this lying down.Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat. She knew th
CHAPTER 88: The Final Betrayal Elizabeth whispered, her voice strained, "He's trying to claim everything." We have to move quickly.Simeon stood beside her, his face unreadable as he scanned the room. "We have to turn this around," he added flatly. He never took his gaze off the table's papers. We cannot let him escape this.He was correct. Though calculated, Alex's plan was foolish. His exploited gap was weak; if they could get ahead, they could permanently free his hold on the business. Though the odds were against them, Elizabeth could find a way ahead. They only had to act quickly.Simeon moved on and assembled their legal team with one nod. A low command, his voice pierced the din. "We have him now," he remarked, his grin more frigid than happy. He will fall soon enough.Elizabeth felt a rush of hope as the squad started getting ready to respond; Alex had underappreciated them, and now it was time to use his pride against him. Though the stakes were greater than ever, now was th
CHAPTER 89: The Calm After The Storm Simeon moved to the front, eyes scanning the assembled throng, and the room fell silent. The familiar faces, those who had stood with him through the turmoil, the betrayals, and the long nights of uncertainty, now gazed at him with quiet respect. It was not only his triumph; it was theirs.Her fingers nestled inside his, Elizabeth stood beside him. As he was ready to speak to the individuals who had battled so hard for this moment, her touch was a stabilising presence, the calm confidence he required. Though he could feel the journey's weight in his bones, there was something else now: relief. Though it wasn't finished, this was the turning moment.His voice cut through the quietude, resonating around the space. We stand together now as winners, not as survivors. Against all obstacles, we have triumphed over what Alex sought to annihilate. No longer in the hands of a guy who would lie and manipulate for power, our future is now in our control.The
CHAPTER 90: The Peace After the War The world had evolved. Though the fight scars remained, the last few months seemed like a distant recollection. Sitting on the balcony next to Simeon, Elizabeth looked over the city they had battled so hard to safeguard. Their silence was pleasant; there were no more pressing meetings or dangers to confront.Resting softly on her knee, Simeon's hand anchored her as her thoughts returned to the mayhem. The long nights, the unending pressure, and the sense that they were always running out of time returned to her. But now, with Alex gone and the firm safe, there was a sense of comfort.Simeon murmured slowly, his voice gentle with a mix of respect and worry, "You have endured so much." You make me proud.Elizabeth looked at him, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "We've been through this together," she said, her voice calm despite the feelings roiling inside her. Without you, I could not have finished it.For a minute, the city stretched i
Chapter One: The Discovery The sound of the door shutting behind me was muffled by the racing of my heart. My chest felt constricted, my breathing still uneven from the conversation with Vanessa just a few minutes earlier. We had been talking about my future plans-Valentine's Day, the getaway to the Maldives, the perfect proposal Alex had promised me. The perfect life we were supposed to have. But when I walked through the door of our shared apartment, all of it came crashing down in an instant. The apartment was so quiet it was nearly unnervingly still, normally filled with the hum of life. My heels clicked softly against the hardwood floor as I stepped further inside. It was too quiet-something wasn't right. I expected to hear the faint sound of Alex's voice from the kitchen or see him at the counter with his usual cup of coffee. But as I walked into the living room, my stomach dropped. There, on the couch, was Alex-my boyfriend of three years-wrapped around his assistant, Elena
Chapter Two: The Proposal Simeon leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen idly on his desk, a small, amused smile playing on his lips as he replayed the events of earlier that day. It was hard to believe it had actually happened. He had been the recipient of a proposal—but not just any proposal. A proposal from a complete stranger. He couldn't help but have a chuckle to himself as he picked up the card Elizabeth had handed him. It had been ages since he'd had one of these days. Karin, his longtime secretary, tapped lightly upon his office door and made her way inside, a fresh cup of coffee balanced upon the tray in her hands. Her eyes always seemed to be on alert for when her boss required a break, and this was beginning to seem just about one of those days. Coffee, sir?" Karin asked, setting the mug on his desk as her warm smile fell on the glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Long enough had she been around Simeon that it needed no spelling when something struck a particular n
CHAPTER 90: The Peace After the War The world had evolved. Though the fight scars remained, the last few months seemed like a distant recollection. Sitting on the balcony next to Simeon, Elizabeth looked over the city they had battled so hard to safeguard. Their silence was pleasant; there were no more pressing meetings or dangers to confront.Resting softly on her knee, Simeon's hand anchored her as her thoughts returned to the mayhem. The long nights, the unending pressure, and the sense that they were always running out of time returned to her. But now, with Alex gone and the firm safe, there was a sense of comfort.Simeon murmured slowly, his voice gentle with a mix of respect and worry, "You have endured so much." You make me proud.Elizabeth looked at him, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. "We've been through this together," she said, her voice calm despite the feelings roiling inside her. Without you, I could not have finished it.For a minute, the city stretched i
CHAPTER 89: The Calm After The Storm Simeon moved to the front, eyes scanning the assembled throng, and the room fell silent. The familiar faces, those who had stood with him through the turmoil, the betrayals, and the long nights of uncertainty, now gazed at him with quiet respect. It was not only his triumph; it was theirs.Her fingers nestled inside his, Elizabeth stood beside him. As he was ready to speak to the individuals who had battled so hard for this moment, her touch was a stabilising presence, the calm confidence he required. Though he could feel the journey's weight in his bones, there was something else now: relief. Though it wasn't finished, this was the turning moment.His voice cut through the quietude, resonating around the space. We stand together now as winners, not as survivors. Against all obstacles, we have triumphed over what Alex sought to annihilate. No longer in the hands of a guy who would lie and manipulate for power, our future is now in our control.The
CHAPTER 88: The Final Betrayal Elizabeth whispered, her voice strained, "He's trying to claim everything." We have to move quickly.Simeon stood beside her, his face unreadable as he scanned the room. "We have to turn this around," he added flatly. He never took his gaze off the table's papers. We cannot let him escape this.He was correct. Though calculated, Alex's plan was foolish. His exploited gap was weak; if they could get ahead, they could permanently free his hold on the business. Though the odds were against them, Elizabeth could find a way ahead. They only had to act quickly.Simeon moved on and assembled their legal team with one nod. A low command, his voice pierced the din. "We have him now," he remarked, his grin more frigid than happy. He will fall soon enough.Elizabeth felt a rush of hope as the squad started getting ready to respond; Alex had underappreciated them, and now it was time to use his pride against him. Though the stakes were greater than ever, now was th
CHAPTER 87: The Fall Of AlexAs she pressed "send," Elizabeth's fingers quivered a little. Alex's reality would soon be known worldwide. The media would go wild, his empire would start to fall apart, and there would be no turning back. She looked at Simeon, whose face was quiet, nearly unreadable. Still, she was aware that, like her, he felt the pressure of this time.For a long beat, the room was quiet; tension hung in the air. A flurry of alerts then inundated their phones. News organisations were already picking up the tale. The headlines shouted Alex's darkest secrets: years of treachery, financial mismanagement, and shady business dealings—enough to destroy him.A sharp phone call shattered the stillness. It was their solicitors.Elizabeth replied, her voice calm. "Yes?""Elizabeth, you have done it," the lawyer's voice crackled. We have sent him into a tailspin. We have to be ready, though. He won't sit back and take this lying down.Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat. She knew th
CHAPTER 86: The Ultimate Showdown The walls seemed to be closing in. Every clock tick reverberated in Elizabeth's ears as she looked at the documents before her. Though Alex had tried all he could to ruin them, this time, they were prepared. The game had evolved, yet the stakes were greater than ever.Simeon sat next to her, steadying her as usual. Though she could see the stress in his jaw and the tightness of his hand grip, his typical calmness remained unaffected. The strain was affecting both of them.Elizabeth said softly, her eyes narrowing, "This is the fight of our lives." Though the last battle was only hours away, the burden of their common goal felt more intense than ever. She was not scared. Not at this time. They would prevail.At first, Simeon remained silent. His eyes were on the papers, his brain already figuring out every conceivable result. His words came with quiet confidence. We have gotten ready for this. We cannot let him succeed.The statements reminded them t
CHAPTER 85 Final Showdown It would either all come together today, or it would all fall apart.Simeon stood next to her, his stance firm and his face blank. But she could sense the storm in him—the same one that had driven every fight they had fought together. The same one that had gotten them thus far."We have all we need," Simeon remarked quietly, his tone final. Our time is now.Elizabeth looked at him, her heart racing in her chest. She had never felt more exposed, never felt the stakes higher. On the line was all she had ever laboured for—her business, her standing, her connection with Simeon. If there is one incorrect move, it will all be finished.The papers in the file were now the key to everything, and she gazed down at them again. They were the last act, the last action to bring Alex down."We make it count," she said softly, a little vow between them, squeezing Simeon's hand firmly.His soft contact grounded her in the tempest of feelings roiling within her as he clasped
CHAPTER 84: The Final Choice In the low light of her office, Elizabeth sat with her fingers lingering above her phone. The screen showed an unanticipated note that caused her heart to stop for a beat. The sender's name was recognised but not welcome: Charles Finch, a top executive from Alex's team.Rereading the note, she attempted to understand what he was providing: private knowledge, a vital component of Alex's plan, sufficient to bring him down finally. Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. It was too wonderful to be real.Simeon had come in with her head spinning just as she sat back in her chair. One glance at the phone in her palm caused him to frown in worry. What is it?"It's an offer," she answered softly, her voice cautious. Inch had seen him. He says he is sick of Lex and wishes to assist us.Simeon's eyes darted from her to the phone and back, his expression one of bewilderment. Help us? After everything? Elizabeth, we cannot trust him."I know," she said softly, near
CHAPTER 83: The Ultimate Betrayal As Elizabeth read the first headline, the phone buzzed violently on the desk. For a second, the words blended; as they became clear, her heart raced: "Elizabeth Hasting: Corporate Insider with a Dark Past."She choked on her breath. She expected this, but not in this manner. The pictures, the claims, they were personal. The secrets she had laboured so hard to suppress were suddenly on display for the whole world.Her eyes roving the piece, she asked herself, "How?" Every statement meant to kill her made it a brutal assault. At last, Alex had gone for the throat. This was about eradicating her reputation now, not only about business.Simeon walked into the room, his face blank when he saw the quiet. He looked at the screen and didn't have to question."He's out to destroy me," Elizabeth murmured, her voice low but seething with rage. But I will not allow him to prevail.Simeon stood behind her and walked over. A quiet display of support, his hand lay
CHAPTER 82: The Showdown Begins Though papers were strewn over the desk, the last report, hidden in the corner, caught her attention. Finally, the weakness of Alex's empire is exposed. A tiny but significant hole in his financial plan he had missed offered the ideal chance.Though she had been looking at the figures for days, today, something snapped. There it lay—an error in a recent acquisition, an overestimation of assets that, if uncovered, would undermine Alex's standing. This was the gap they had to stab into.Is it sufficient? Low and desperate, Simeon's voice cut through her musings. Standing near the window, he looked tired yet cautiously hopeful.Elizabeth did not respond immediately. Leaning forward, she looked over the paper one more. This was not only about the monetary blunder. It was the sort of error Alex's pride would never allow him to admit. If they played this correctly, it would not only make him withdraw but also destroy his credibility, maybe permanently.We mu