The Enemy Within

Chapter 17

~Thomas~

"I'm beyond disappointed in you, Sam," I snapped, my voice thunderous as I ran a hand furiously through my hair. "I gave you one simple task, and once again, you failed… miserably!"

My anger burned hot enough to set the whole place ablaze. I had just arrived in the country, expecting to walk in and see the boy here. Instead, I come home to find out the mission was a complete disaster. How hard could it be to catch a damn child?

Samantha dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks as she begged for forgiveness… but I didn’t want to hear it. “You know what? I’m done with this conversation. Get out of my house.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “No, Thom, please… just hear me out.”

She crawled towards me, desperation written all over her face, but I stepped back coldly before she could reach me.

“I won’t say it again. Leave… or I’ll have the guards drag you out.”

She stood up slowly, lifting her eyes to mine. Then, without another word, she turned and walked out.

Barely minutes later, the door burst open again. Sam rushed in, her face now lit with excitement.

“We’ve got it!” she squealed before I could even question her.

I blinked, confused. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Instead of answering, she swung the door wider, and a young woman… probably in her late twenties… stepped in, her eyes scanning the room before landing on me.

“Good day, sir,” she said politely, her head slightly bowed.

Sam beamed like she had just solved the world's biggest puzzle. “Babe, this is Victoria, the inside mole I planted at Aurora Luxe. She’s been feeding us confidential intel for weeks.”

She turned to me, her smile deepening. “And she’s the one who forged the DNA results about Leo. With this, we can finally destroy Alice’s reputation… make it look like she stole your heir and raised him with her little mister… who just so happens to be your own son.”

“Hmm…” I exhaled, glancing between her and the woman, a faint smirk playing on my lips. As much as I hated to admit it, this was a damn clever move. “I have to say… this actually sounds like a solid plan.”

I took a step towards the lady. “Mind if I take a look at the documents?”

“Not at all,” she replied quickly, handing them over without hesitation.

I flipped through the papers, starting with the DNA results. Just as Samantha had said… it was clean, convincing, and exactly what we needed. A slow, satisfied grin crept onto my face. The game was finally taking a turn in our favor.

Next, I skimmed through the Aurora Luxe expansion files. Though I had no idea what to do with it yet, I had a strong belief it will be useful in the nearest future. This could be more than just leverage… it could be our ultimate weapon to finally take Alice down.

Looking up at Samantha, my grin widened. “Impressive work,” I said, my voice softening. “And… I owe you an apology for earlier. I underestimated you.”

She smiled, just a little. “Glad you’re finally seeing straight.”

“I am,” I said proudly. “In fact, I love every bit of this. Let’s just hope it all goes according to plan.”

“It will,” she assured.

“In that case,” I said, clapping the folder shut, “what are we waiting for? Let’s get straight to work.”

***

Before dusk, we had executed the plan and uploaded the fabricated DNA results online, framing Alice as the woman who stole my rightful heir.

It’s only a matter of time before the media begin to swarm George and Alice’s apartments, desperate for a statement… anything to confirm the scandal.

Their perfect little lives, their precious careers and reputations… they're all about to crumble. And when they do, I’ll be right here, waiting. Maybe I’ll even be kind enough to let them serve coffee in my empire.

I kept my eyes glued to the TV all day, waiting for the news to explode with headlines about Alice and George’s twisted affair. But there was nothing. Not a single headline.

My patience soon disappeared. I couldn’t afford to sit back and wait for fate to act… I had to do it myself. If taking Leo was the only way I could lure Alice to my den, then I was more than prepared to make it work.

This time, I didn’t send my regular guards. I couldn't afford to take chances anymore. I hired professionals… trained snipers. Men who killed for a living.

“Bring me the boy before dusk tomorrow,” I instructed coldly. “If anyone tries to stop you… do not hesitate to blow off their brains.”

This time, I was certain the plan would work. I would make sure of it.

~Alice~

Breaking News: ‘Wealthy business mogul Alice Cooper allegedly in an incestuous relationship with her stepson. Sources also claim she ran away with her husband’s heir to be with her long-time lover… her own stepson.’

The headline hit me like a punch to the chest.

My hands trembled as I turned my phone towards George. He was already staring at the same thing, his jaw clenched in rage.

He let out a heavy sigh, his eyes meeting mine… and that was all it took. My knees buckled.

I collapsed to the floor, sobbing. “Not again… I can’t stand this again!”

“Alice,” George rushed to my side, his voice calm but desperate, “please… just breathe.”

But I couldn't. The pain was unbearable. My eyes returned to the headline, and the tears came rushing again. This wasn’t just another scandal… it was war.

“How do you expect me to stay calm in a moment like this?” I snapped, forcing myself to my feet as anger flashed in my face. “Tell me, George. How do I stay calm when the very person who swore to protect me is the one trying to ruin me? How do I stay calm knowing that monster is now claiming my child as his?”

“You can't let him get to you like this,” George said gently.

“Oh, really?” I scoffed, fighting back the fury rising in my chest. “I should just sit back and watch him destroy the last pieces of my life? Let him snatch away everything I’ve built… my name, my career… my son?”

George stepped closer, his hands reaching for mine, his voice was low but full of conviction. His gaze traveled briefly to Leo, who clung tightly to my leg, then back to me.

“I’m not asking you to give up,” he said quietly. “And I’m definitely not saying we should let him win. I’m just saying… you shouldn't let this break you. I’m right here. You’re not fighting this alone.”

He tightened his hold on my hands, his eyes burning with firm determination. “We’ll face him together. And when the time comes, I’ll expose him completely… even if it destroys me too.”