MR BILLIONAIRE, NOT YOUR WAY!

RABBIT HOLE

|Helena|

The café was buzzing with chatter and the hiss of espresso machines, but my mind was laser-focused on the woman sitting across from me. Penelope “Penny” Cruz was not your average accountant. She had a knack for finding what people wanted to keep hidden, and she always did it with a touch of flair.

“Helena Mavis,” she drawled, stirring her cappuccino with a tiny spoon. “When I got your message, I nearly fell off my chair. You, of all people, calling me after all these years? This must be big.”

She wasn’t lying. I wouldn’t have reached out to her if it was something I could just deal with on my own. We are both queens in the world of numbers but I have to admit that she’s the ace card to any game. She was born with the numbers in her palms; no one does the game like her.

“It is,” I replied, leaning back in my seat. “And I wouldn’t have reached out if I didn’t need the best.”

Penny smirked. “Flattery already? You must really want something.”

That’s one thing about us: we know each other’s languages. She was quick to smell my desperation.

I slid a folder across the table. “Not want—need. This is everything I’ve uncovered so far. I need you to dig deeper. If there’s a single skeleton left in Steve Clinton’s financial closet, I want it exposed.

Her eyes widened a bit but she quickly adjusted them. Of course, the Clintons are no stranger to anyone. She knew it was a big case even with the folders closed. It would be a tough fight.

Penny opened the folder, her eyes scanning the pages. She whistled low. “This guy’s as dirty as a truck stop bathroom. Offshore accounts, shell companies, falsified ledgers… You sure you want to tangle with this?”

I leaned forward, my voice cold and sharp. “Tangle? Penny, I’m going to dismantle him. Piece by piece. I just need the data to do it.”

Her hand reached for her drink even with her eyes locked with mine. That quick moment was enough to communicate with our souls. She could read the revenge in my eyes.

Her smirk widened. “Now that’s the Helena I remember. Sassy, ruthless, and always two steps ahead.”

“This isn’t about winning some petty game,” I snapped. “Steve framed Michael, stole from the company, and turned my life upside down. I’m done playing nice.”

Penny sipped her coffee, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. “Alright. I’ll take the case. But you know my price. It’s top dollar and no drama.”

“Deal,” I said without hesitation. “I’ll send over the rest of the files tonight.”

As Penny packed up her things, she glanced at me with a curious expression. “One last thing, what’s your endgame here? Revenge? Justice?”

I met her gaze, my voice steady. “Both.”

***

|Michael|

The headlines were merciless and the articles kept pouring in. There was nothing good about the morning ever since the break of dawn.

“Disgraced Chairman Faces Public Scrutiny Amid Embezzlement Allegations”

“Michael Clinton: A Fraud or a Victim of Corporate Power Play?”

I tossed the tablet onto the table, the bold letters glaring up at me like a taunt. My hands clenched into fists as I paced my office. It was too much to bear, even for me, who never cared about the press.

“They’re vultures,” I growled. “Feeding off scraps without knowing the truth.”

Jude stood by the window, his expression grim. “Public opinion isn’t on your side, Michael. The longer this drags out, the harder it’ll be to recover.”

“I know that,” I snapped, running a hand through my hair. He didn’t need to add salt to the injury

“But what can I do? Every move I make gets twisted into another headline.” Another sigh fell off my lips

Jude hesitated before speaking. “There’s one thing you haven’t tried.”

I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. “What’s that?”

“Helena.”

The sound of her name was like a punch to the gut. “She’s already doing enough,” I muttered.

“She’s not just doing enough; she’s pulling off miracles. If anyone can find a way to turn this around, it’s her.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “And you think she’ll jump at the chance to save my reputation after everything I’ve done to her?”

Jude didn’t flinch. “She might. If it serves her goals.”

I stared out the window, the city skyline blurring into a sea of lights. He was right. Helena wasn’t driven by emotions but by results. If helping me meant taking down Steve, she’d do it.

But at what cost? Will she be willing to take the risk?

***

|Helena|

Penny worked fast. Within two days, she sent me an encrypted file packed with spreadsheets, email chains, and transaction logs. I spent hours combing through it, my mind piecing together the puzzle with every click.

Steve’s trail of corruption was as complex as it was messy. He had funneled millions into fake ventures, using the company’s funds to line his own pockets. But he’d made mistakes as expected and they were small, almost invisible ones. These mistakes were Penny’s playground.

“Sloppy, Steve,” I muttered, smirking as I highlighted another inconsistency. “You should’ve hired better accountants. You must have thought I wouldn’t go this far.”

I didn’t waste time dealing with the files. He had always been pissing me off and telling me how I was underserving of being a wife to Michael at any chance he got. He once called me a gold digger at the family dinner, which led to a huge fight between him and Michael.

Penny called me later that evening, her voice laced with excitement. “Helena, you’re going to love this. I found a shell company Steve set up under his assistant’s name. It’s the hub for all his dirty transactions.”

“Perfect,” I said, already typing furiously. “Send me everything. I want to see how deep this rabbit hole goes.”

“On it. But Helena, be careful. Steve’s not the kind of guy who takes kindly to being exposed.”

I grinned, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m quaking in my boots.”

Her voice went silent for a while before she came up with a calmer one, filled with warning.

“If you don’t have strong backing, I don’t think you should do this. This man deals with the darkest mafias and deadliest groups. He’s into very shady businesses. You will get hurt.”

I knew it was not the time to be sarcastic so I responded with a serious tone this time, “Penny, this man needs to be taken away from society. He stinks!”

That was the end of her argument. She didn’t go further because she sensed that Steve must have done something beyond me just trying to pull him down from the chairman’s position.

“Be careful. The heavens be with you,” was her last message before the line went dead.

***

The next morning, I walked into Michael’s office with a USB drive in hand. He looked up from his desk, surprise flickering in his tired eyes.

“What’s this?” he asked as I tossed it onto the desk.

“Your salvation,” I said bluntly. “It’s a start, at least. Penny and I uncovered one of Steve’s shell companies. It’s where he’s been hiding all the stolen money.”

Michael picked up the drive, his jaw tightening as his eyes glistened with happiness. “You’ve been really busy.”

“You’re welcome,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “But don’t get too comfortable. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Steve’s been playing a long game, and we’re just starting to catch up.”

He stood, his gaze steady. “Why are you doing this, Helena? After everything…”

I rolled my eyes. “Spare me the sentimental crap. I’m doing this because Steve deserves to burn. And if it means helping you in the process, so be it.”

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, to my surprise, he nodded. “Fair enough. What’s the next step?”

I smirked. “Oh, you’ll see. But for now, just try not to screw things up because I will not forgive you.”

***

|Michael|

The evidence Helena brought was damning, but it wasn’t enough to clear my name. I needed more concrete and huge enough to turn the tide in my favor.

Jude and I spent the next few days strategizing, but every plan felt like a shot in the dark. The media frenzy only grew worse, and my frustration boiled over with every passing hour.

But in the midst of the chaos, something strange happened.

I started to trust Helena and rely more on her. Her determination and her brilliance were all impossible to ignore. She wasn’t just helping me out of pity or obligation. She was building a case, brick by brick, with the kind of precision I’d only ever seen in her.

And as much as I hated to admit it, I was impressed by her tactics.

***

|Helena|

The breaking point came three days later, when Penny called me with a breakthrough.

“Helena, you’re not going to believe this,” she said, her voice crackling through the line. “Steve’s shell company isn’t just hiding money; it’s funding a network of illegal deals. Think stock manipulation, insider trading, and the works. The list is endless, more dangerous than you think.”

I felt a surge of adrenaline. This wasn’t just corporate greed but criminal activity. It felt dangerous yet exciting; I wanted him to know that he’s not untouchable. I understood now that his cocky attitude stemmed from the confidence he got in trading with people like them. It was time to strip him of that mask.

“Send me everything,” I said, my mind already racing with possibilities.

As the files poured in, I realized we finally had Steve cornered. But it wouldn’t be enough to expose him quietly. His demotion and disgrace needed to be loud, public, and irreversible.

It was time to flip the script.

“Get ready, Steve,” I muttered, a wicked grin spreading across my face. “Your empire’s about to come crashing down.”