CHAPTER 14 — Enemy Within
385 Words
The elevator shot downward like a silver bullet through the building’s spine. Adrian didn’t speak; he only tapped through screens on his tablet—documents, call logs, building access times.
Ava stood beside him, palms sweating. “You’re scaring me.”
“Good,” he muttered. “Fear keeps you alive.”
The doors opened into a private floor—no staff, no noise, only cold, polished marble. Adrian pushed open a frosted glass door.
Inside sat a man in his thirties, expensive suit, fake confidence. He looked up, tried to stand, but Adrian’s glare pinned him down.
“Mr. Knight—”
“You used my internal network to route a threat to someone under my protection.”
The man swallowed hard. “I—I didn’t. I mean—”
“Don’t lie to me.”
Ava watched the scene unfold like a crime thriller. Adrian didn’t raise his voice, yet the room felt like the air was shrinking.
“You were paid,” Adrian continued. “Who paid you?”
“I don’t know their name—”
“Then describe them.”
Sweat rolled down the man’s temple. “Masked… voice modulator… said you needed to be distracted.”
Ava froze. “Distracted from what?”
The man shook. “From the acquisition. The board has a split vote. Someone doesn’t want you getting full control of the company.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. “So they threatened her to force me off balance.”
Ava inhaled sharply. “Adrian…”
His gaze softened for only a second. “This isn’t your burden.”
The man burst out, “I swear I didn’t know they would involve her! I thought it was a bluff!”
Adrian stepped forward, voice icy. “Get out. You’ll receive a termination letter and a lawsuit by morning.”
The man scrambled for the door.
As silence settled, Ava whispered, “Someone from your own board did this?”
“Yes.” His voice dropped. “And I know who.”
“Who?” she pressed.
He turned to her, eyes burning with something far more dangerous than anger.
“My brother.”
Ava’s breath stalled.
“You have a brother?”
“I had one,” he said quietly. “But he didn’t stay family.”
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