Aria paced her office, the shadows of the city skyline stretching across the walls. The weight of the anonymous threat still lingered, but she refused to let fear cloud her judgment. The real battle had just begun.
"Miles," she called, her voice steady as she tapped her fingers on the sleek glass desk. Within moments, Miles entered, tablet in hand.
"You wanted me to look into Logan's circle," he said, already anticipating her instructions.
"Yes. Financial records, unusual communications, anything that points to a breach." Her eyes sharpened. "We're dealing with someone feeding Logan information—or worse, working directly for him."
Miles nodded. "I'll start with the board members and high-level executives. If there's a leak, we'll find it."
"Good. And I want a separate file on Damian Cross," she added, her tone more cautious.
"He's been helpful, but something doesn't sit right. I need to know if he has any ties to Logan."
Miles frowned. "You think he might be playing both sides?"
"I don't trust easily," she replied simply. "And neither should you."
---
Meanwhile, Logan Hale was anything but composed. His office, once pristine, now bore the evidence of his growing frustration—scattered papers, overturned glasses, and the lingering scent of burnt cigars.
Across from him, Damian Cross stood with an infuriatingly calm demeanor. His tailored suit and unwavering stare only further irritated Logan.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Logan sneered. "Watching me scramble while that woman gains ground."
Damian arched a brow. "I'm enjoying the inevitability of consequences. You underestimated Aria, Logan. That was your first mistake."
Logan slammed his palm on the desk. "And your precious friend—where is he? The shadowy figure you're so loyal to. He's nowhere to be seen, leaving me to clean up his mess."
A flash of something unreadable crossed Damian's face. Loyalty. Friendship. But also restraint.
"He has his own methods," Damian said evenly. "You knew that when you struck this deal. He gave you power, but you're the one who let it slip through your fingers."
"He used me!" Logan growled. "And when I'm no longer useful, I'll be discarded. Just like you."
Damian's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Perhaps. But unlike you, I know where my loyalties lie."
---
That evening, Aria found herself at a dimly lit bar, the hum of low conversations filling the air. Damian had requested a meeting, claiming he had information she couldn't ignore.
He arrived precisely on time, exuding the same air of calculated confidence.
"Miss Vance," Damian greeted, sliding into the booth across from her.
"I assume you didn't call me here for pleasantries," she replied, her eyes narrowing.
"No," he said, leaning forward. "But I thought you might want to know something about Logan. And perhaps... the man pulling his strings."
Aria's heart pounded. The shadowy figure. The one who haunted her every move.
"I'm listening."
Damian's voice lowered, deliberate. "There are whispers that Logan's not the only one with something to hide. Someone close to him—someone powerful—is orchestrating every downfall you've faced. But he's not just Logan's ally. He has his own agenda."
Aria's mind raced. "And why tell me this now?"
"Because," Damian said, his gaze unrelenting, "the only way to win is to understand your enemy. And trust me, Aria—your enemy knows everything about you."
Her pulse quickened, but her face remained unreadable. She was done being a pawn.
"Then it's time I learn everything about him."
Damian hesitated for a moment, then leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "I did some digging of my own. The man you're after—he's not just a threat to Logan. He's personal to you."
Aria stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"His grudge isn't about your company. It's about your father. He believes your father wronged him in the past, and now, he's set on destroying everything connected to him." Damian studied her reaction. "That means you."
The revelation sent a chill down her spine, but she forced herself to remain composed. "Who is he?"
Damian exhaled slowly. "I don't have a name. Not yet. But I do have a connection. Someone in Logan's camp is funneling information to him. Find that person, and you'll be one step closer to uncovering his identity."
Aria's nails dug into her palm beneath the table. "Then let's find out who it is."
The game had shifted. And Aria Vance was ready to play.
----
Aria stepped out of the bar, the city lights casting long shadows on the pavement. Damian's words echoed in her mind. *The only way to win is to understand your enemy.* But who was the true enemy?
As she reached her car, a cold gust of wind sent a shiver down her spine. Instinctively, she glanced around. The street was nearly empty, save for a few distant figures. But something felt... off.
Her personal security, stationed a few feet away, remained alert. Connor, the head of her detail, noticed her hesitation and immediately approached.
"Something wrong, ma'am?" he asked, scanning their surroundings.
Aria's gaze flickered toward her car before she nodded. "Stay on high alert. Something isn't right."
She unlocked the car, and Connor reached out, stopping her. "Let me check first."
Nodding, she stepped aside as Connor opened the door and conducted a quick but thorough scan of the interior. A tense moment passed before he reached for something on the passenger seat—a single envelope, crisp and deliberate in placement.
He handed it to her carefully, his jaw tightening. "This wasn't here before. Your car has been under watch all evening."
Aria's pulse quickened as she unfolded the note inside.
*You're asking the right questions. But the answers will cost you more than you're prepared to pay.*
No signature. No indication of who left it. But she knew.
The shadowy figure was watching.
Connor exchanged a glance with the other guards before stepping closer. "We need to get you to a secure location. This is too close for comfort."
Aria exhaled slowly, gripping the note tightly.
"No. I'm not running. I need a full security sweep of my car, my home, and the office. Every camera, every blind spot. Someone got close tonight, and I want to know how."
She pulled out her phone and dialed Miles.
"I need everything checked. If there's a weakness in my security, I want it found before he exploits it again."
"You think it's him?" Miles asked, his tone sharp.
Aria's gaze darkened. "I don't think. I know."
Connor turned to the team, barking orders.
"No one moves alone. Sweep the area and review every second of surveillance from the last hour. Whoever did this is still watching."
Aria clenched her jaw. This wasn't just a warning—it was a challenge.
And this time, she would strike first.