THE MASK OF POWER

THE BETRAYAL

Nick blinked. “What? No… I was severely injured back then. Half my face was bandaged. I couldn’t see you. But you held my hand. You stayed with me day and night. You never let go. I left you a metal tag and a letter… that’s how I found you again.”

Bella reached into her bag and pulled out a small, worn piece of metal. She lifted it carelessly. “You mean this?” she asked mockingly. “I found this in Elena’s ward. Nothing more.” Without a second glance, she threw it to the floor. The tag skidded and stopped at Elena’s feet.

Time froze.

Elena bent down, her fingers trembling as she picked it up.

Nick’s eyes locked on hers. “Elena…” his voice cracked. “It was you?”

Elena’s lips parted slightly, her face pale.

Emma and Bella stared at her.

Nick took a slow step forward, his mind spinning, pieces falling into place like a puzzle.

“It was you all along,” he murmured. “You were the one who stayed with me… not Bella.”

Elena said, “You're the patient that wanted to marry me? I didn't know that you left me anything. I thought the proposal was just a lie.”

Nick stepped forward, his eyes filled with raw emotion. “Elena, I can never lie to you. I mean, those days in the hospital... as crazy as it sounds, those were the happiest moments of my life.”

Elena looked away, her voice soft. “I suspected it was you when we first met, but... you were already married to Bella.”

Nick’s voice cracked. “That’s my fault. I made the wrong choice, Elena. I gave her everything. Everything. It should’ve been yours.”

Emma scoffed and folded her arms. “Seriously?” She turned to Bella, her tone mocking. “Oh, he didn’t waste any time, did he? Already clinging to another woman. How shameless can you get?”

Bella smiled coldly. “Even better. A useless man and a small-town heir who would be nothing without the Phoenix family. What a perfect match.”

Nick’s tone turned firm. “Bella, watch it!”

Bella stepped closer, lifting her chin with authority. “Oh, am I wrong? The Heinze family is a dog compared to the Phoenix family.”

Nick turned to Elena, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Elena. Whatever Bella gave, I’ll replace it, and more.”

Emma rolled her eyes and smirked. “Listen to him, Bella. Simping like a lovesick fool. Does he really think he can compare to you? What a joke.”

Bella laughed with Emma. “Alright, Nick. Let’s see what you’re really made of. Starting now, I’m pulling all support from the Heinze family. Let’s see how you manage without me.”

Elena’s eyes widened in shock. “Bella, please, no. You can’t do that. The Heinze family won’t survive! We’re like sisters!”

Bella's eyes turned icy. “Sisters?” She suddenly slapped Elena across the face. “Don’t flatter yourself. Do you know who I am? I’m a member of the Holy Parliament. We are not equal. Not anymore.”

Nick pulled out his phone with steady hands and dialed. “Shaun, make the announcement. Bella Phoenix’s inauguration is cancelled, effectively immediately.”

The moment he ended the call, the doors creaked open, and a man entered the room slowly, his shoes echoing against the marble floor.

“Well, well, well…”

“What’s all this commotion about, Bella?” a calm, deep voice echoed from the entrance.

Everyone turned their heads sharply. Emma’s eyes lit up as if she had seen royalty.

“Mr. Farrell,” she beamed, her tone coated in admiration. “It’s an honour to have the heir of the Farrell family here with us.”

Nick stood silently, his hands clenched at his sides. His eyes didn’t leave the tall man in the tailored navy suit, polished shoes, striking presence, and a cold smirk playing on his lips.

Nick’s thoughts raced. Farrell... Patrick Farrell...

The name clicked in his head.

A few hours ago, an old man had approached Nick, praising his leadership and begging him to accept his son, Patrick Farrell, into the organization.

Nick muttered under his breath, “So... that’s him.”

Farrell turned toward Emma and gave her a polite nod.

“No need to be so formal. I’m not even the head of the family yet,” he chuckled, before locking eyes with Bella.

“I heard you’re being inaugurated, Bella. Congratulations on behalf of the Farrell family. I just want to say we’re thrilled for you, and I can only imagine what we could achieve together if... we joined forces.”

Bella’s expression was unreadable, but a professional smile formed on her lips.

“Thank you, Mr. Farrell. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Emma, standing beside her like a loyal hound, leaned forward.

“Ma’am, what’s even there to think about? The Phoenix family would soar even higher with the Farrells backing us. Unlike some people…” she glanced at Nick with disgust, “…who are all talk and no action. Yet still have the audacity to claim credit for everything you’ve built.”

Mr. Farrell smirked. “So... you’re the infamous, useless husband I presume?”

Bella didn’t even flinch. “Ex-husband. I just asked for a divorce.”

Farrell gave a low whistle and clapped once. “Oh, wow. Finally, Listen, the elite circle has been waiting for this moment for a very long time. You made the right call, Bella.”

Emma added quickly, “Didn’t he even try to cancel your inauguration, Bella?”

“Does he actually think he’s the Supreme Leader?” she sneered, laughing loudly.

Nick’s eyes narrowed. “Think? I’m the Supreme Leader.”

The room went silent for a split second, then erupted into laughter.

“Oh, he is?” Emma clutched her stomach. “Oh, that’s just rich. That’s the funniest joke I’ve ever heard…” she burst out laughing again. “A lovesick loser claiming he’s the Supreme Leader? Please.”

Bella shook her head with a smirk. “Nick, you should try stand-up comedy. At least then you might actually earn something.”

Patrick Farrell stepped forward, his hands in his pockets, smirking like he owned the room. “Even better,” he said loudly, “my dad, Martin Farrell, met with the Supreme Leader earlier today. In fact…” Patrick glanced toward the door, “…he’s outside right now. We should just bring him in and see what he thinks about this little fantasy.”

Nick’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Go ahead. Let’s see how he reacts when he sees how his son’s been treating the Supreme Leader.”

Patrick snorted and pulled out his phone. He turned slightly away from Nick as he made the call. “Dad, there’s someone here pretending to be the Supreme Leader. You’ve got to see this. It’s hilarious.”

On the other end of the line, Martin Farrell’s voice was sharp and serious. “Where exactly are you?”

Patrick grinned. “At Bella Phoenix’s place. Just come in, you’ll love this.”

“I’m on my way,” Martin said, hanging up.

Emma whispered to Bella, “This is going to be good. Just wait until Mr. Farrell humiliates him in front of everyone.”

Bella smirked. “He humiliated himself the moment he opened his mouth.”

Nick stood silently, his hands behind his back, almost as if he were waiting for a ceremony to start. His calmness unsettled Patrick just a little, though he brushed it off.

They were waiting for Patrick’s father to arrive when Patrick’s phone rang.

It was his father.

Patrick answered, sounding irritated. “Yeah, Dad?”

Martin Farrell’s voice came through the line, firm and commanding. “Patrick, the inauguration banquet is in two days. Stop wasting time with that loser and come back. Focus on making a good impression on the Supreme Leader. Now!”

The call ended abruptly.

Patrick slipped his phone back into his pocket and smirked at Nick. “You’re not worth my time, you i***t. I’ve got way more important things to do… but I’d love to see how the Supreme Leader is going to deal with you himself.”

Emma chuckled under her breath, brushing past Nick without a second glance. Bella followed, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as the three of them walked away, leaving Nick and Elena alone in the quiet room.

Elena held a small, worn piece of metal in her hand, turning it over slowly. Her eyes were filled with a mix of nostalgia and disbelief. “Who would’ve thought… my friend’s ex-husband would turn out to be my lover from four years ago?”

Nick sighed, his voice heavy. “That was on me, Elena, okay? I made the wrong choice. I thought Bella was you… but I promise I’m going to make this up to you. I’ll give you everything she has, and more.”

Elena looked down, conflicted. “Okay… but Nick, the Heinze family can’t survive without the Phoenix family’s support. We… we need them.”

Nick’s gaze hardened. “No, Elena. You need me. The Phoenix family’s support won’t matter when I’m done.”

Elena frowned. “What do you mean?”

Before Nick could answer, the door creaked open slightly. A shadow moved across the floor. Elena’s eyes darted to it, and she gripped the metal piece tighter.

Elena looked so worried about her family losing the Phoenix family’s support, she wasn’t yet sure about what Nick was saying. Her fingers trembled as she tucked the loose strand of hair behind her ear, her mind racing.

Nick leaned closer, his eyes steady, his voice calm but sharp.

“Trust me, Elena. The Heinze family is going to thrive. Bella just gave away her seat in parliament. Is that about being the Supreme leader? No. It’s bigger than that. She gave it away because she doesn’t know the real game I’m playing.”

Elena shook her head, trying to make sense of his words.

“But Nick… I thought all of this, being the Supreme leader, was just a story you made up to protect me. You don’t have to impress me. I already love you for who you are, not for the power you chase.”

For a brief moment, Nick’s strong mask cracked. His eyes softened, almost pleading.

“You have to believe me, Elena. Listen, I…”

But Elena cut him off sharply, her voice breaking with fear.

“Bella is furious with you right now. You don’t understand. Once she takes that seat, she’ll come for you with everything she has. And I can’t let that happen. I have to protect you. And I have to protect my family.”

Her words echoed in the empty corridor. Before Nick could respond, Elena turned and rushed away, her heels clicking against the marble floor as if she was running.

The moment Elena was gone, Nick’s phone rang. He answered, his face turning cold again.

“Sir,” a deep voice said on the other end. “Should I cancel the inauguration banquet as you requested?”

Nick paused, his lips curling into a dangerous smile.

“No. Keep it.” He lowered his voice, his tone sharp as a knife. “But change Bella Phoenix… to Elena Heinze.”

There was silence on the other end, then a shaken response.

“Y-Yes, sir.”

Nick ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.

The next day at the gathering, three men surrounded Justin, Bella’s brother, their voices full of cheer.

“Congratulations, Justin,” one of them said with a grin. “Your sister is about to secure a seat in parliament, and the Phoenix family will finally stand as one of the most powerful families in the world.”

Another man leaned closer, nodding with approval. “You’re quite a fine young gentleman, Justin.”

The third man chuckled, raising his glass. “What do you say I hook up with some of the finest ladies in town? Maybe you could even introduce me to your sister.”

They all laughed together.

Justin smirked and lifted his drink. “Relax, everybody will have their fair share. Just wait, once Bella takes that seat in parliament, the Phoenix family will rule.”

The second man lowered his voice, almost in a whisper. “I heard that the Supreme One selected Bella himself.”

The third raised his brow. “There’s even a rumor he has an interest in her. Isn’t she already married?”

Justin scoffed, his expression hardening. “You mean my loser brother-in-law? My sister has already divorced him. So if the Supreme really does have any interest in Bella…” He paused, letting the thought hang before finishing, “who knows, we could even become the top family in the empire.”

As Justin spoke, he suddenly looked up and noticed a man walking into the hall.

His tall frame carried an air of quiet authority, each step measured and deliberate. eyes following him as though an unseen force demanded their attention.

Justin and his friends fell silent, their drinks frozen midway. They watched closely, waiting, almost holding their breath as Nick moved further inside. His sharp gaze swept across the room with calm indifference, but there was a heaviness in it that made men shift uncomfortably and women glance twice.

The click of his polished shoes against the marble floor echoed through the hall, drawing him closer with every step. Justin smirked faintly, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. His companions leaned in, their voices hushed, yet none of them dared to break the tension as they all waited for Nick to walk closer. But as Nick walked toward Justin, Nick didn’t notice that something was wrong with his suit.

The moment he started laughing, pointing at Nick 's suit, he looked at his suit and got shocked.