Trial 6

The morning started like any other—coffee in hand, stacks of files waiting to be reviewed, and my mind racing with leads I needed to chase down. But by midday, everything had changed.

I had spent hours digging deeper into George Alvarado’s financial dealings, hoping to solidify the connection between him and the fraudulent transactions. It was meticulous work, sifting through reports, emails, and account records. However, my efforts were starting to reveal something unexpected. George wasn’t the mastermind; he was merely a pawn. The evidence pointed higher up the chain, to someone with access to more significant decision-making powers.

And then I found it—a crucial lead. A series of encrypted messages exchanged between George and someone only identified as “A.H.” Adrian Hayes. The realization hit me like a freight train. Dominic’s cousin wasn’t just a bitter relative; he was actively working to destroy the company.

I sat back in my chair, staring at the screen. My instincts had been right about Adrian, but now I had proof. The problem was what to do with it. This wasn’t just a family squabble—it was a calculated attempt to dismantle Hayes Industries, and whoever was behind it wouldn’t go down without a fight.

The air in my office felt heavy as I printed out the messages and locked them away in my briefcase. I had to talk to Dominic, but I needed more evidence before confronting him with this. Besides, part of me hesitated to share this news with him. Adrian was his family, after all. How would he react to learning his cousin had betrayed him?

---

I left the office earlier than usual, deciding to meet one of my contacts who specialized in decoding encrypted files. The streets were bustling, and as I walked toward the meeting spot—a quiet café near Makati’s business district—I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched.

I told myself it was just paranoia, a side effect of dealing with high-stakes cases like this one. But when I rounded a corner and felt a hand grab my arm, the reality of the situation hit me hard.

Before I could scream, two masked assailants dragged me into a dark alley. One of them shoved me against the wall while the other loomed threateningly close. "Stay out of Hayes Industries," one of them growled, his voice muffled by the mask.

My heart pounded as I struggled against their grip. "Let me go!" I spat, trying to sound braver than I felt.

The man laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "Consider this a warning, lady. Keep digging, and next time, we won’t be so polite."

I was about to retort when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the alley. Before I knew it, the man holding me was ripped away, and I stumbled forward, catching myself against the wall.

"Back off," a familiar voice commanded, low and menacing.

Dominic.

In the chaos that followed, I watched in stunned silence as Dominic took on both assailants. He moved with a precision that hinted at some sort of training—efficient, calculated, and utterly terrifying. Within moments, the two men fled, leaving Dominic standing there, breathing heavily but otherwise unharmed.

"Are you okay?" he asked, turning to me. His voice was softer now, but the intensity in his eyes hadn’t diminished.

I nodded, though my hands were trembling. "How—how did you know I was here?"

Dominic sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I had a feeling something might happen. After the threats you received, I’ve had you followed. For your protection."

I should have been furious at the invasion of privacy, but all I felt was relief. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He stepped closer, his gaze searching mine. "Serena, you can’t keep putting yourself in danger like this. Whatever you’ve found, it’s bigger than you realize."

He was right. I knew he was right. But I wasn’t about to back down now. "I’m not stopping, Dominic," I said firmly. "This case is too important."

He sighed again, his frustration evident, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip steady and reassuring. "Then you’re not doing it alone. From now on, I’m not letting you out of my sight."

---

Back at his penthouse, Dominic insisted I stay the night. "It’s safer here," he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

The atmosphere between us had shifted. Where there had once been tension and professional boundaries, there was now something else—an unspoken understanding, a sense of trust I hadn’t expected to feel toward him.

As I sat on the couch, nursing a cup of tea he’d made, I finally allowed myself to relax. The adrenaline from the attack had worn off, leaving me exhausted but oddly calm.

"Why did you do it?" I asked suddenly, looking up at him.

He frowned, confused. "Do what?"

"Come after me. Fight those men. You could have sent your security team, but you didn’t."

Dominic hesitated, his expression unreadable. "Because it’s my fault you were in danger," he said quietly. "You’re only in this mess because of me. Protecting you is the least I can do."

His words stirred something in me—something I wasn’t ready to name. "You didn’t have to," I said softly.

"But I did," he countered, his gaze locking onto mine. "And I’d do it again."

The weight of his words hung in the air, and for the first time, I saw Dominic not as the cold, calculating billionaire I’d first met, but as someone willing to fight for what mattered to him.

I didn’t know what to say, so I simply nodded, letting the silence between us speak volumes.

---

That night, as I lay in the guest room he’d prepared for me, my mind raced with thoughts of the case, Adrian, and, surprisingly, Dominic. The man who had infuriated me with his cryptic responses and aloof demeanor had just saved my life.

For the first time since taking this case, I began to see Dominic not just as a client, but as someone I could trust. Someone I might even care about.

But as much as I wanted to explore those feelings, I knew there was still so much at stake. Adrian was still out there, pulling strings and manipulating events from the shadows. And if tonight’s attack was any indication, whoever was behind this wasn’t going to let me uncover the truth without a fight.

I closed my eyes, determined to stay the course. No matter what, I wouldn’t let fear—or my growing feelings for Dominic—distract me from the mission at hand.