Married to my enemy billionaire

CHAPTER FIVE: THE RULES OF SURVIVAL

Brenda did not speak for a long time.

The car kept moving. Brenda's mind was not inside it anymore. It was still stuck between the car, the gun, and Adrian's last words.

Adrian said to Brenda "You matter more than I told you."

Brenda finally turned to Adrian. "Where are you taking me now?"

Adrian did not look at Brenda. "Somewhere they can not follow you easily."

Brenda said, "That is not an answer."

Adrian said, "It’s the one you need."

Brenda scoffed. "You really like saying that."

There was silence.

The car turned onto a road. Tall gates appeared ahead slowly opening as they approached.

Brenda leaned forward slightly. "Is this your place?"

Adrian said, "Yes."

The gates closed behind them immediately after the car entered.

Brenda felt it in her chest. Again there was no easy way out for me.

The car stopped in front of a modern house surrounded by glass walls and security lights.

Adrian got down first.

Adrian said, "Come."

Brenda hesitated. " I don’t trust this."

Adrian replied , "you don’t have to trust it. Just survive it."

That sentence made Brenda's stomach twist.

Brenda stepped out.

The house was quiet. Too quiet.

Inside everything looked expensive but cold. No warmth. No life.

Brenda followed Adrian in slowly. "So what now? I stay here like a prisoner?"

Adrian said, "you stay here until I knows who is watching you."

Brenda snapped, "i did not ask for this life."

Adrian finally turned to her. "No one in this story did."

That made Brenda pause.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Brenda asked, softer now "Who is Marcus Hale to you?"

Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.

Adrian said, "Someone who wants to destroy everything I built."

Brenda asked, "and me??"

There was a pause.

Adrian said, "you’re a part of how he does it."

Brenda frowned. "I don’t understand."

Adrian walked past her. "You will."

Adrian stopped near a table and placed another file down.

Brenda did not move immediately.

Adrian said, "Open it."

She slowly picked it up.

Inside were documents. Project files. Brenda's designs again.

This time something was different.

There were edits.

Changes Brenda did not make.

Brenda's eyes widened slightly. "This is not mine anymore."

Adrian said, "It was modified."

Brenda asked, "By whom?"

Adrian said, "Someone with access."

Brenda looked up sharply. "You think I did this?"

Adrian said, "No."

That was quick.

Too quick.

Brenda blinked. "Then why show me?"

Adrian said, "Because whoever did it used your identity."

There was silence.

Brenda's throat tightened. "So I’m being framed."

Adrian did not answer directly. "You’re being positioned."

That word again.

Brenda dropped the file slightly. "Everyone keeps using me like I’m a tool."

Adrian stepped closer. "Because now you’re one."

Brenda's eyes hardened. "Be careful Adrian."

There was a pause.

Then Adrian said, quieter, "I’m not your enemy."

Brenda laughed once. "That is funny coming from you."

Adrian did not react.

Instead, Adrian looked toward the security monitors on the wall.

Adrian said, "Sit."

Brenda said, "I don’t take orders."

Adrian said, "well, you do tonight."

Something in Adrian's tone made Brenda stop arguing.

Brenda sat.

Adrian pressed a button on the wall. Screens lit up.

Brenda saw footage.

Her apartment building.

Then zoomed images.

Men moving in and out.

Then Brenda's name was tagged in systems she didn’t recognize.

Her stomach dropped.

She whispered, "Why is my name in their system?"

Adrian did not answer immediately.

Then Adrian said, "Because you were never supposed to survive the Knight Project change."

Brenda froze. "What does that mean?"

Adrian turned to her fully now.

"It means someone inside mycompany marked you the moment you designed it."

Brendas voice lowered. "Who?"

Adrian paused.

Then Adrian said one word.

"Vanessa."

Brenda frowned. "Who is Vanessa?"

Adrian's expression changed slightly.

"Someone who knows how to destroy people without touching them."

A heavy silence followed.

Then a soft alarm beep came from the system.

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

Adrian moved instantly to the control panel.

Brenda stood up. "What is it now?"

Adrian did not answer at first. He was reading something.

Then Adrian's voice dropped.

"They found this place faster than expected."

Brenda felt her chest tighten. "They… who?"

Adrian turned slowly toward her.

For the first time, there was something different in Adrian's expression.

Not control.

Not confidence.

Warning.

Then he said, "We leave."

Brenda stepped back. "Again?"

Adrian grabbed his jacket. "Now."

Before they could move—

Every screen in the room went black, at once.

Silence dropped heavily.

Then a single message appeared on all screens.

YOU CAN'T KEEP HER HIDDEN, KNIGHT.

Brenda's blood ran cold.

Brenda looked at Adrian.

Adrian's jaw tightened.

Then another line appeared.

SHE ALREADY BELONGS TO US.

Brenda whispered, "Adrian..."

But Adrian was not looking at her anymore.

Adrian was staring at the message like he already knew what came next.

Then the house lights went out completely.