Claimed in the boardroom

Chapter 4.

Chapter 4: The Weight of Truth

The elevator hums as it descends, the USB drive burning a hole in my palm. Dorian’s hand is still on mine, his grip tight, like he’s afraid I’ll vanish. Victor’s words—Choose wisely, Mrs. Kaine—echo in my head, and my heart’s pounding so loud I’m sure Dorian can hear it. The Manhattan skyline blurs outside the glass walls, a glittering cage I can’t escape.

“What’s on this?” I ask, holding up the USB. My voice is steadier than I feel, but my hands are shaking.

Dorian’s gray eyes flick to the drive, his jaw tight. “Nothing good. Give it to me, Talia.”

I pull my hand back, clutching the drive tighter. “Not until you tell me what’s going on. Victor knows something about Elise, doesn’t he?”

He steps closer, his cedar scent overwhelming. “Victor’s a liar. Whatever’s on that drive, it’s meant to hurt you. Hurt us.”

“Us?” I laugh, sharp and bitter. “There’s no us, Dorian. You made that clear with your secret clause and your locked drawers.”

His face softens, just a fraction, but it’s enough to make my chest ache. “I’m trying to protect you,” he says, his voice low. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with.”

“Then tell me!” I snap, my voice echoing in the elevator. “Stop hiding behind your billionaire bullshit and talk to me.”

The doors slide open, revealing the Kaine Enterprises lobby, all marble and cold light. Dorian pulls me out, his hand firm but gentle. “Not here,” he says, glancing around like he expects Victor to pop out of the shadows. “My car’s outside.”

I hesitate, the USB heavy in my hand. Every instinct screams to run, to take the drive to Mia and figure this out myself. But Dorian’s eyes—stormy, haunted—keep me rooted. I follow him to a black SUV idling at the curb, the city’s pulse throbbing around us.

Inside, the leather seats are cool against my skin, but the air’s thick with tension. Dorian slides in beside me, barking at the driver, “Penthouse. Now.” The car pulls into traffic, and he turns to me, his voice low. “Give me the drive, Talia. Please.”

I meet his gaze, searching for a lie. “Why should I trust you? You hid a clause that could take my bookstore. You’ve got a photo of your sister who looks like me. And now Victor’s throwing around threats like confetti.”

He runs a hand through his dark hair, the scar on his wrist catching the streetlights. “I didn’t choose you because of Elise,” he says, his voice rough. “The resemblance… it’s a coincidence. But Victor’s using it to mess with your head.”

“Then what’s he want?” I ask, leaning closer despite myself. “What’s on this drive?”

Dorian’s silent for a beat, his eyes flicking to the driver’s partition. “Elise was working on an AI project—something that could expose corruption in tech giants like LexCorp. She got too close, and they killed her. That drive probably has her files, or something designed to frame me.”

My stomach twists. “Frame you for what?”

He looks away, his jaw tight. “Her death.”

I freeze, the USB feeling like a live wire. “Did you… have anything to do with it?”

His head snaps back, his eyes blazing. “No. I loved her. She was all I had.” His voice cracks, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him break. “But I should’ve protected her. I won’t make that mistake with you.”

My throat tightens, and I hate how his words pull at me. I want to believe him, but the note, the clause, Victor—it’s all too much. “If you’re so innocent, why’s Victor after you?”

Dorian leans closer, his voice barely a whisper. “Because he loved her too. And he thinks I got her killed.”

---

Back at the penthouse, I’m pacing the living room, the USB on the coffee table like a loaded gun. Dorian’s on the phone, barking orders about “securing the perimeter,” whatever that means. I text Mia: Got a USB from Victor. Says it’s about Elise. What do I do?

Her reply’s instant: Don’t plug it in yet. Could be malware. Meet me at the bookstore, midnight.

I glance at Dorian, who’s now staring out the window, his broad shoulders tense. I need answers, and I’m not getting them here. I slip the USB into my pocket and grab my jacket. “I’m going out,” I say, heading for the door.

He’s on me in a second, his hand on my arm. “Talia, it’s not safe.”

I yank free, my anger flaring. “I’m not your prisoner. I need air, Dorian. Deal with it.”

His eyes search mine, and for a moment, I think he’ll fight me. But he steps back, his voice low. “Take the driver. And be careful.”

I nod, my heart pounding as I head for the elevator. The driver drops me at the bookstore, and the familiar scent of old books calms my nerves. Mia’s waiting inside, her laptop glowing in the dark.

“You look like crap,” she says, hugging me. Her lotus tattoo peeks out, grounding me.

“Thanks,” I say, managing a weak smile. I hand her the USB. “Can you check this?”

She plugs it into a burner laptop, her fingers flying. “If this thing’s got a virus, I’m not frying my baby.” The screen flickers, and a video file pops up, labeled Elise_Truth.mov.

My heart stops. “Play it,” I say, my voice barely a whisper.

Mia hesitates. “You sure? This could be heavy.”

“Do it,” I say, my eyes glued to the screen.

The video starts, grainy but clear enough. It’s Elise, her auburn hair catching the light, her gray eyes wide with fear. She’s in an office, not unlike Dorian’s, whispering to the camera. “If you’re watching this, I’m probably dead. LexCorp’s onto me. They’re hiding billions in offshore accounts, and my AI can prove it. Dorian doesn’t know—nobody does. If they find out…” Her voice breaks, and she glances behind her. “Victor, if you see this, I’m sorry.”

The video cuts to black, and I’m shaking, tears stinging my eyes. Mia’s pale, her hands frozen on the keyboard. “Talia, this is bad. If Dorian’s AI is built on Elise’s work, he’s in deep.”

“Victor said it could frame him,” I say, my voice hoarse. “What if he’s right?”

Mia’s eyes narrow. “Or Victor’s playing you. He was her fiancé—maybe he’s the one who sold her out.”

I’m about to respond when the bookstore’s bell jingles. We both freeze. It’s past midnight, and the shop’s locked. Mia grabs a letter opener, and I clutch a heavy book, my heart in my throat.

“Who’s there?” I call, my voice trembling.

A shadow moves in the stacks, tall and lean. Victor steps into the light, his scar glinting, his smile cold. “You watched it, didn’t you?” he says, his voice smooth as poison.

I back up, my hand tightening on the book. “Stay away from us.”

Mia steps forward, letter opener raised. “Back off, creep, or I’ll carve that smirk off your face.”

Victor laughs, unfazed. “Feisty. I like it. But you’re in over your heads. That video’s just the start.”

“What do you want?” I ask, my voice shaking but firm.

He steps closer, his eyes locked on mine. “The truth. Dorian’s AI isn’t his—it’s Elise’s. And he’s using you to cover it up.”

My stomach drops. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” He pulls out his phone, showing a photo—me, at the gala, laughing with Dorian. “You’re his shield, Talia. A pretty distraction. But distractions don’t last.”

Mia lunges, but Victor’s faster, grabbing her wrist and twisting. She yelps, and I swing the book, catching his shoulder. He stumbles, cursing, and I grab Mia, pulling her toward the backroom.

“Run!” I yell, but Victor’s already recovering, his eyes blazing.

We make it to the back, slamming the door and shoving a shelf in front. My heart’s racing, my mind a mess of Elise’s video, Victor’s words, and Dorian’s secrets. Mia’s panting, her wrist red but her eyes fierce.

“We need to get out,” she says, pulling out her phone. “I’m calling the cops.”

“No,” I say, grabbing her arm. “Not yet. We need to know what’s on the rest of that drive.”

She stares at me like I’m crazy. “Talia, he’s dangerous!”

“I know,” I say, my voice breaking. “But if Dorian’s lying, I need the truth. For Gran. For me.”

Mia nods, reluctant, and we huddle by her laptop, the door rattling as Victor pounds on it. The screen flickers again, and a new file pops up—a blueprint labeled Kaine AI Core. My breath catches as I see the date: six months before Elise’s death.

The door splinters, and Victor’s voice cuts through. “You can’t hide forever, Talia!”

I grab the USB, yanking it out, and stuff it in my pocket. Mia’s eyes meet mine, wide with fear. “What now?” she whispers.

I look at the window, the fire escape just outside. “We climb.”