Chapter 5: The First Move

The morning air was crisp as I stood in front of Orion Tech’s glass tower, my reflection staring back at me like a ghost from the past. My heart pounded, but not from fear. No, this was adrenaline—the rush of reclaiming what was stolen from me.

I took a deep breath and walked through the revolving doors. Inside, everything was just as I remembered: sleek, modern, efficient. Employees bustled about, their conversations filled with numbers and strategies. It was my world, the one I had helped build. And today, I was one step closer to taking it back.

David Reyes had agreed to meet me in a small café a block away from Orion’s headquarters. As I entered, I spotted him at a corner table, nervously stirring his coffee. He looked older than I remembered, the stress of working under Ryan showing in the lines on his face. When he saw me, he straightened, his unease evident.

"Isabella," he greeted, setting his cup down. "I wasn’t sure you’d actually show."

"I always show up when it matters," I said, sliding into the seat across from him. "And this matters."

David exhaled sharply. "I won’t lie to you. Ryan has built a fortress around himself. He’s paranoid. He has eyes everywhere. If he finds out I’m meeting you—"

"He won’t," I interrupted. "Because we’re going to be smarter than him. Tell me, David, how bad is it inside Orion?"

He hesitated, then leaned in slightly. "Worse than you think. Ryan’s made reckless decisions, but no one challenges him because he holds all the power. He forced out half of the senior team and replaced them with people loyal to him. But loyalty only lasts as long as his success. And that’s where you come in."

I smirked. "So, the cracks are already forming. Good. That makes this easier."

David nodded, still wary. "But it also makes him more dangerous. If he senses even a whisper of betrayal, he’ll cut off anyone he suspects. You need a solid strategy, Isabella. You need more than just me."

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "I already have a plan. But I need insiders. People willing to pull the rug out from under him at the right moment. I need someone in finance, someone in operations, and most importantly, someone close to Ryan."

David let out a dry chuckle. "Close to Ryan? Good luck with that. The only person closer than his assistants is his fiancée."

My stomach twisted at the mention of her. Emma. The woman who had replaced me in every way. She wasn’t just his fiancée—she had become his greatest ally, the perfect partner in deception. But was her loyalty absolute? That was something I needed to find out.

David hesitated before speaking again. "There is someone…"

I lifted a brow. "Go on."

"Ryan’s CFO, Oliver Grant. He’s been with Orion for years, but I heard he’s been having doubts about Ryan’s leadership. If you can get to him, you might have a real shot at destabilizing Ryan’s control."

Oliver Grant. I knew him well. He had been one of my strongest allies before Ryan forced me out. If there was a chance he was still on my side, I had to take it.

"Set up a meeting," I said firmly. "Somewhere discreet. Tell him it’s about the future of Orion. If he’s smart, he’ll come."

David exhaled. "I’ll try. But Isabella, be careful. If Ryan finds out—"

"Let me worry about Ryan," I cut in. "Just get me that meeting."

David nodded, finishing his coffee in one swift gulp. "You haven’t changed, have you?"

"No," I said, standing. "I’ve just learned how to play the game better."

---

That evening, I found myself once again at Blackwood Tower, standing in Alexander Blackwood’s office. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the polished wood, and the scent of his expensive cologne lingered in the air. He was behind his desk, reviewing a file, but as soon as I stepped in, he closed it and looked up.

"I assume you have something for me," he said smoothly, his gaze sharp as ever.

"I have a lead," I said, walking toward him. "Ryan’s CFO might be willing to flip. If I can get him on our side, we’ll have access to Orion’s financials. And that means we can hit Ryan where it hurts."

Alexander leaned back in his chair, a slow smile creeping onto his face. "Impressive. You work fast."

"I don’t have time to waste," I said. "Neither do you. Orion Tech is a ticking time bomb, and we’re about to light the fuse."

He studied me for a moment, then stood, walking around the desk until he was just inches away from me. "I like the way you think, Isabella. But tell me, how far are you willing to go to win this?"

I didn’t flinch. "As far as I need to."

Alexander’s smile widened slightly, but there was something dangerous behind it. "Then let’s make sure you have everything you need. I have resources, connections—people who can dig into Orion’s finances deeper than you ever could alone. If your CFO contact agrees to work with us, we can dismantle Ryan’s empire from the inside."

I nodded, my pulse steady. "That’s the plan."

He reached for a glass of whiskey, pouring himself a drink before offering one to me. I took it, letting the warmth of the liquor settle in my throat.

"To revenge," he murmured, raising his glass.

I met his gaze, my lips curling into a smirk. "To victory."

As we clinked our glasses together, I knew this was just the beginning. Ryan had no idea what was coming for him. And when the time was right, I would make sure he never saw it coming.

Let the game begin.