UNRAVELING SECRETS
801 Words
CHAPTER THREE: UNVEILING SECRETS
"A PAST THAT WON’T STAY BURIED"
Zyrah Vexley wasn’t one to pry.
But Aziel Rune was a walking enigma—one wrapped in arrogance, money, and a smug smirk that made her want to slap him and kiss him at the same time.
Not that she’d ever do the second one.
Probably.
Still, something about Cassandra Moreau’s words in the last meeting stuck with her.
"We both know you don’t have the discipline to keep it that way."
That wasn’t just a business dig. It felt personal.
And Zyrah wanted to know why.
So, after ensuring Aziel was occupied flirting with two models in the lobby, she did something dangerous.
She hacked into his Titan Corp personnel file.
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"THE HIDDEN FILES"
Sitting at her desk, she bypassed the standard security walls—nothing crazy, just enough to get into the employee database.
She searched for his records.
But when his file opened, her breath caught.
There were two versions.
One was clean—showing Aziel Rune as the rightful heir to Titan Corp, a top graduate from Yale, and a highly respected businessman.
The other… was restricted.
A file locked under the name “Project X.”
Her heart pounded. What the hell was Project X?
Before she could dig further, a shadow loomed behind her.
"You know, sweetheart, if you wanted to know more about me," Aziel’s voice drawled lazily, "you could’ve just asked."
Zyrah snapped her laptop shut and turned to find Aziel leaning over her chair, his face too close, too amused, too dangerous.
She swallowed. "I wasn’t—"
"Spying?" Aziel smirked. "Sure you weren’t."
He reached past her, plucked her coffee mug off the desk, and took a slow sip—as if he wasn’t standing there, catching her snooping.
"You know," he continued, watching her over the rim of the cup, "I love a woman who’s curious about me."
Zyrah gritted her teeth. "Your file had restricted data."
Aziel’s smirk vanished.
For a split second, something dark flickered in his eyes. Something unreadable.
Then, just as fast, he leaned down until his lips almost brushed her ear.
"You should be careful, Zyrah." His voice was low, almost dangerous. "Some secrets are better left buried."
And then, he was gone.
Zyrah exhaled, gripping the desk.
Something was wrong.
And now, she needed to find out why.
—
"A SCANDAL EXPLODES"
Her investigation was put on hold when a crisis hit Titan Corp.
By noon, every major news station was reporting the same thing.
"Billionaire CEO Aziel Rune Involved in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scandal?"
The second Zyrah saw the headlines, she stormed into his office.
Aziel was calmly sipping whiskey, feet propped up on his desk.
"We have a problem," she said, throwing the tablet down.
Aziel glanced at the news. Smirked. "Huh. Thought they’d wait until Friday to ruin my weekend."
Zyrah’s eye twitched. "You think this is funny? You’re being accused of fraud!"
Aziel stretched. "Let me guess—Cassandra Moreau’s behind this?"
Zyrah hesitated. "Maybe. But the documents show money funneled to a dummy account under your name."
Aziel’s lazy smirk hardened.
"That’s impossible," he said quietly.
Zyrah sighed. "Then prove it."
Aziel leaned back, watching her. "And if I do?"
She crossed her arms. "Then I’ll believe you."
His lips curled. "Good. Because the last thing I need is my favorite assistant thinking I’m a criminal."
Zyrah rolled her eyes. "I’m your only assistant."
Aziel winked. "Which makes you my favorite."
—
"AN UNEXPECTED ALLIANCE"
By evening, the situation escalated.
Jex Marlow—Aziel’s rival and the man way too interested in Zyrah—held a press conference, publicly calling out Titan Corp.
"The evidence speaks for itself," Jex declared, standing outside Apex Industries. "Aziel Rune is unfit to run Titan Corp. Investors deserve someone better."
Zyrah nearly threw her shoe at the TV.
Aziel, however, just smirked.
"Jealous bastard," he muttered.
Zyrah glared at him. "You need to fight back, Aziel. Publicly."
His eyes flickered. "Or…"
"Or?" she prompted.
A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face.
"We give them a bigger distraction."
Before she could ask what the hell he meant, Aziel pulled out his phone and made a single call.
"Ready the jet," he said smoothly.
Zyrah froze. "You’re leaving?! In the middle of a scandal?!"
Aziel’s grin widened. "Oh, I’m not running, sweetheart. I’m just… setting the stage."
Zyrah knew that look.
This was going to be disastrous.
And somehow, she was getting dragged into it.
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"THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS"
At midnight, Zyrah received a text.
Aziel: Pack a bag. You’re coming with me.
She groaned. "I hate this man."
But she was his assistant.
And whatever crazy plan he had next…
She was about to be right in the middle of it.
—
- Writer
