The Forgotten Heiress

Chapter 15: Hunting the Hunters

Chapter 15: Hunting the Hunters

I didn’t sleep that night.

After seeing the message painted on the wall of my father’s office, I stayed at the Alaric building until almost dawn. Workers cleaned the paint while security teams installed new cameras on every floor. I walked through the building twice, making sure every door and window was secure.

By morning, I had made a decision.

I was done waiting for them to come to me.

I called a private meeting with Elena, Thomas, and Marcus in one of the upper offices. The room still smelled like fresh paint and dust.

“I want to know everything about Sophia’s family and Victor Lang’s people,” I said. “Not just what they’ve done in the past. I want to know where they are now, who they’re working with, and what they’re planning next.”

Elena opened her laptop.

“We already have some information. Sophia’s family has been moving money through shell companies for months. They’re trying to buy up shares in several companies that used to belong to the Alaric Group.”

Thomas added, “Victor Lang’s people are more dangerous. They’ve been quiet since the gala, but that message on the wall shows they’re still watching you.”

Marcus leaned forward.

“What do you want to do?”

I looked at each of them.

“I want to turn the tables. I want them to feel what it’s like to be hunted. We’re going to start taking back control piece by piece. Quietly at first. Then we hit them where it hurts.”

For the next few hours, we made plans. Elena would trace the money trails. Thomas would use his legal connections to block their attempts to buy old Alaric assets. Marcus would handle security and gather information from his own sources.

By the time the meeting ended, I felt clearer than I had in weeks.

That afternoon, I received an unexpected visitor.

A young woman arrived at the building asking to speak with me. She refused to give her name to security, but she said she had information about Sophia. After checking with Marcus, I agreed to meet her in a small conference room on the ground floor.

She was probably in her early twenties, with dark hair and nervous eyes. She sat across from me and kept glancing at the door like she was afraid someone might walk in.

“My name is Lila,” she said quietly. “I used to work for Sophia’s family. I was just an assistant, but I saw things. After what happened at the gala, I couldn’t stay anymore.”

I studied her carefully.

“Why are you here?”

She took a deep breath.

“Because I know what they’re planning next. Sophia is desperate. She’s working with Victor Lang’s people to set up one final move against you. They’re going to try to destroy the Alaric building… and anyone inside it.”

My blood ran cold.

“When?” I asked.

Lila shook her head.

“I don’t know exactly. But soon. They’re running out of time and options. Sophia said if she can’t have your life, she’ll make sure you have nothing left.”

After she left, Marcus came into the room.

“You believe her?” he asked.

I nodded slowly.

“I do. She was too scared to be lying.”

Marcus’s expression hardened.

“Then we need to move fast. We can’t wait for them to strike first.”

I looked out the window at the city.

For weeks I had been focused on rebuilding. Now the fight was coming to my doorstep again.

I turned back to Marcus.

“Call everyone. We’re changing the plan.”

My voice was calm, but inside, something had shifted.

They wanted to destroy what I was building.

This time, I would make sure they regretted ever trying.