CHAPTER 41: Suspicions

POV: Selene Castellano

Recovery was harder than getting shot at least the bullet had been quick. One moment she was standing, next moment bleeding, then nothing.

But recovery? Recovery was endlessly slow and frustrating.

Two weeks of bed rest felt like two years.

Selene sat propped against pillows in their bedroom, staring at her laptop, she was trying to work but failing to concentrate.

Her abdomen ached. The pain medication made her foggy and every time she shifted position, she was reminded that someone had put a bullet in her and her father was that someone who had done. She still couldn’t process that. For eighteen years she was wondering where he was, hoping he was okay and  busy making excuses for why he’d left.

And the whole time, he’d been alive, planning, scheming and  her.

Maya appeared in the doorway with tea.

“You’re supposed to be resting, not working.”

“I am going insane doing nothing.”

“You were shot three weeks ago doing nothing is your job.” Maya set down the tea as she sat on the edge of the bed. “How’s the pain?”

“Manageable.”

“Liar. You winced when I sat down.”

Selene gave up pretending. “It hurts all the time but I’m alive, so I’m not complaining.”

“You should complain. You took a bullet for me. You’re allowed to complain.”

“I’d take a hundred bullets for you.”

Maya’s eyes filled. “Please don’t, once was enough.”

They sat in comfortable silence.

Then Maya said quietly, “I keep thinking about him. Dad, the fact that he was there when Elena died, he watched from a distance and didn’t help you or even offer to.”

“Do you think he ever actually cared? Or were we always just assets to him?”

Selene thought about it,  memories of her father from childhood playing catch with her, reading bedtime stories and teaching her to ride a bike.

Had any of it been real?

“I don’t know,” she said finally. “Maybe he cared once before Mom died. Or maybe he was always like this and we just didn't see it.”

“Maybe.”

Avalon knocked entering with lunch on a tray. “The nurse said you need to eat and take your meds.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“That's not an option.” He set down the tray. Soup, crackers and pills organized in a small cup.

Selene looked at the man she’d married, the dark circles under his eyes and tension in his shoulders.

“When’s the last time you slept?” she asked.

“I always sleep.”

“You're lying. I hear you pacing every-night .”

“You’re supposed to be resting, not monitoring my sleep schedule.”

“It's hard to rest when my husband is slowly losing his mind.”

Avalon sat heavily in the chair beside the bed. “I can’t stop thinking about that text, the one about someone in our inner circle being a traitor and not knowing who to trust.”

“Then we will figure it out.”

“How? We’ve been over it a hundred times. Diana’s been with us from the start, Margaret was Nene’s best friend, Robert Chen saved us in the board vote and Catherine is trying to redeem herself. Who else is there?”

Maya stood. “I’ll give you two privacy.”

After she left, Selene reached for Avalon’s hand. “Talk to me. What are you really afraid of?”

“Perhaps I have been blinded to the fact that someone I trust has been lying to my face for months. That I’m going to get you hurt again because I’m too stupid to see what’s right in front of me.”

“You’re not stupid.”

“So, what am I? Three people are dead. You were shot and Richard orchestrated everything right under our noses,  according to him, he had help from someone we trust, that someone is still out there.”

“Then we smoke them out.”

“How?”

Selene was thinking about strategizes on how to catch someone who’s been hiding in plain sight.

“We give them what they want,” she said slowly.

“What do you mean?”

“Whoever’s helping Richard wants Pierce Holdings. They want us gone. They want chaos and that's we will give it to them. We will pretend we’re falling apart, make announcements that we’re stepping back and even considering selling the company. We will make ourselves look weak and desperate.”

“And?”

“We wait and watch anyone who tries to take advantage or who positions themselves to benefit from our downfall.”

Avalon was quiet, considering it.

“It could work but it is risky. If we show weakness, the board might actually force us out.”

“Not if we control the narrative and orchestrate the chaos.”

“You want to fake a corporate crisis.”

“I want to set a trap and see who walks into it.”

Avalon looked at her. “You’re terrifying when you’re strategic.”

“I learned from the best. Nene didn’t build an empire by being nice.”

“Neither did you, apparently.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Okay. We will set a trap, but you're going to be carefully and—” he pointed at her, “— you will stay in bed and recover. I will handle the corporate warfare.”

“Like hell. This is our company. Our fight and I will not sitting on the sidelines.”

“You were shot three weeks ago.”

“And I’m healing, that doesn't mean I can’t think, plan or help catch a traitor.”

They stared at each other.

Finally, Avalon sighed. “You’re impossible.”

“You love me anyway.”

“God help me, I do.”

That afternoon, Diana came by with updates.

She sat in the living room, files spread across the coffee table, looking exhausted.

“Richard’s arraignment is scheduled for next week. He’s being charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, fraud—basically everything we can throw at him.”

“Is he talking?” Selene asked from the couch where Avalon had insisted she rest.

“Too much. He keeps claiming he had a partner. Someone on the inside who fed him information but he won’t mention names without a plea deal.”

“Which he’s not getting,” Avalon said.

“Correct. The DA wants him buried under the prison. No deals.” Diana flipped through papers. “But that doesn’t solve our problem. If Richard’s telling the truth, someone in your circle has been working against you.”

“We have a theory about that,” Selene said. She explained the plan while Diana frowned listening.

“It’s risky. If you announce you’re considering stepping back, the board could panic and the stock price could drop, competitors could smell use that against us.”

“That’s the point,” Avalon said. “We need to create enough chaos that our traitor makes a move.”

“What if multiple people make moves? If the chaos attracts opportunists who aren’t the traitor?”

“Then we sort through them until we find the right one.”

Diana set down her pen. “Okay. But we do this carefully, controlled chaos not an actual disaster.”

“Agreed. What do you recommend?”

“Start small with an interview maybe. You’re recovering from the shooting, very traumatized and questioning whether Pierce Holdings is worth the cost. Plant the seed that you might step back and see who waters it.”

“Who would I give the interview?

“Someone trustworthy who won’t be sensationalized.” Diana thought for a moment. “TechCrunch. The same outlet that published the medical records leak. Redemption arc—you give them the exclusive about your recovery and they get to undo some of the damage they did.”

Selene felt her stomach turn. “The journalist who wrote that article—”

“Jessica Mendoza. I’ve already reached out, she said she's interested, she wants to tell the whole story this time not just the scandal.”

“Can we trust her?”

“No. But we can use her and that's all we need right now.”

The interview was scheduled for the following week.

In the meantime, Selene focused on healing. Physical therapy for her abdomen, short walks around the penthouse and slowly rebuilding strength.

And planning.

She and Avalon spent hours strategizing about what to say in the interview, how to sound vulnerable without seeming weak to bait the trap without being obvious.

Margaret called daily with board updates. Robert Chen checked in. Even Catherine texted occasionally—awkward messages that Selene didn’t know how to respond to.

And through it all, Selene watched.

Watched who called, visited, asked questions.

She was looking for patterns or anything that might reveal a traitor.

But everyone seemed genuine.

Diana was protective and professional as always.

Margaret was supportive and strategic.

Robert was concerned but respectful.

Catherine was apologetic and distant.

Nobody seemed suspicious.

Which meant whoever it was, they were very good at hiding.

The night before the interview, Selene couldn’t sleep.

She stood at the bedroom window, looking out at the city, feeling the ache in her abdomen where a bullet had torn through.

Avalon found her there.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked.

“Thinking.”

“About?”

“About how different everything is from a year ago. If you’d told me then that I’d be married to you, shot by my father, and hunting a traitor in our inner circle—I’d have thought you were insane.”

“If you’d told me a year ago that I’d fall in love with you again, I’d have said the same.”

She leaned against him. “Do you think we’ll ever have a normal life?”

“Define normal.”

“I don’t know. Boring. Peaceful. Where the biggest crisis is what to have for dinner.”

“That sounds terrible.”

Despite everything, Selene laughed. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“We’re not built for boring, Selene. We’re built for this, the fighting, surviving and winning.”

“What if I’m tired of fighting?”

“Then we fight one more time. Catch the traitor, secure the company and then—” he paused, “—then maybe we can try boring for a little while.”

“I’d like that.”

They stood together in the dark.

Tomorrow’s interview would plant the seeds, and then they will wait.

Wait to see who tried to harvest them.

The interview happened in their penthouse.

Jessica Mendoza arrived with a photographer and a recording device.

She was younger than Selene expected maybe in her early thirties, she was professional but nervous.

“Thank you for agreeing to this,” Jessica said. “I know my last article caused you pain. I want to do better this time.”

“Then let’s tell the truth,” Selene said. “All of it.”

They sat in the living room with cameras rolling.

Jessica started gentle. “How are you recovering?”

“Physically? Getting better every day. Emotionally? That’s harder.”

“Can you talk about what happened? About your father?”

And Selene did.

She talked about Richard,  the abandonment, her learning he was alive, the betrayal and taking a bullet meant for Maya.

She was honest, sounded raw and vulnerable.

Exactly what they’d planned.

Then Jessica asked the question they’d been waiting for.

“After everything you’ve been through—the depositions, the deaths, the shooting—is Pierce Holdings worth it? Are you questioning whether this company is worth the cost?”

Selene looked at Avalon. He nodded slightly.

This was it. The moment that would bait the trap.

“Honestly?” Selene said slowly. “Yes. I’m questioning everything. The inheritance, the company, staying in San Francisco. Avalon and I have been through hell. At some point, you have to ask—is it worth it? Or are we just throwing good years after bad?”

“Are you considering stepping back? Leaving Pierce Holdings?”

“We’re considering options. All options. Including whether we want to keep fighting for something that’s brought us nothing but pain.”

Jessica leaned forward. “That’s quite a statement. Pierce Holdings is worth billions an Avalon's grandmother built an empire.”

“His grandmother also forced us into marriage. Created a situation that has gotten people killed maybe her empire isn’t worth dying for.”

The interview continued for another hour but the bomb had been dropped.

Selene Castellano Pierce was questioning the inheritance.

The article would publish tomorrow morning and then they’d see who took the bait.

The article hit at 6 AM.

HEIR IN CRISIS: Selene Pierce Questions Whether Billion-Dollar Inheritance Is Worth The Cost

In an exclusive interview, Selene Castellano Pierce opens up about the shooting, her father’s betrayal, and whether she and husband Avalon Pierce are ready to walk away from Pierce Holdings.

The quotes were devastating.

Selene questioning the company. Avalon looking exhausted. Both of them seeming ready to give up.

Exactly what they’d planned.

By 8 AM, Avalon’s phone was ringing off the hook.

Board members. Investors. Reporters.

Everyone wanting to know—were they really leaving? Was Pierce Holdings in crisis?

Avalon gave vague answers. “We’re evaluating options. No decisions yet.”

Which only created more panic.

By 10 AM, the stock price had dropped four percent.

By noon, six percent.

The board called an emergency meeting for the next day.

And through it all, Selene watched.

Who called? Who visited? Who seemed too eager to help?

Diana called immediately. Concerned. Professional. Offered to draft statements.

Margaret called. Worried. Asked if they needed anything.

Robert Chen called. Confused. Wanted clarification.

Catherine texted. Brief. Supportive.

And then, at 2 PM, someone unexpected called.

Patricia Wong.

“Avalon, I just read the article. I want to talk. Can we meet? Today if possible.”

Avalon looked at Selene.

She nodded.

“Sure, Patricia. Come by the penthouse. Four PM.”

After he hung up, Selene said, “She’s never called before. Never visited. Why now?”

“Because she thinks we’re weak. Thinks this is her opportunity.”

“You think she’s the traitor?”

“I think we’re about to find out.”

Patricia Wong arrived exactly at 4 PM.

Dressed impeccably. Carrying a leather portfolio.

Looking like she’d come to close a deal.

“Thank you for seeing me,” she said. “I know we’ve had our differences.”

“That’s an understatement,” Avalon said.

“Fair. But I’m here because I’m worried. About the company. About you both. That article made it sound like you’re ready to walk away.”

“We’re considering our options.”

“Which is why I wanted to talk.” Patricia sat. Opened her portfolio. “I have a proposal. A way forward that might ease your burden.”

“We’re listening,” Selene said carefully.

“I represent a consortium of investors. We’ve been watching Pierce Holdings for months. We believe in its potential. But we also believe it needs fresh leadership. New direction.”

“And?” Avalon’s voice was flat.

“And we’d like to make an offer. You sell us controlling interest—fifty-one percent. You stay on as figurehead CEO but step back from daily operations. You get to keep the Pierce name, keep the inheritance technically, but shed the responsibility. The stress. The danger.”

Selene felt her blood run cold.

This was exactly what Richard had wanted.

Exactly what Vincent had tried to accomplish.

And now Patricia was offering the same deal.

“Who are these investors?” Avalon asked.

“Private individuals. People I’ve worked with for years. Trustworthy. Respectable.”

“Names.”

“I’m not at liberty to disclose without preliminary agreement. But I can assure you—”

“You can’t assure us of anything,” Selene cut in. “We don’t know you. Don’t trust you. And you’re asking us to hand over our company to anonymous investors?”

Patricia’s expression hardened slightly. “I’m offering you an out. After everything you’ve been through—the deaths, the shooting, the trauma—don’t you want peace? Don’t you want to step back and just live?”

“What we want,” Avalon said coldly, “is to know why you’re really here. Why you suddenly care about our wellbeing when you’ve been hostile for months.”

“I haven’t been hostile. I’ve been realistic. This company needs professional management, not emotional decisions driven by family drama.”

“Family drama? People died.”

“Which proves my point. Pierce Holdings has become toxic. Dangerous. You should step back before someone else gets hurt.”

Selene saw it then.

The slight smile. The calculation in Patricia’s eyes.

This wasn’t concern.

This was opportunity.

“Get out,” Selene said quietly.

Patricia blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Get out of our home. Now. Before I have security remove you.”

“I’m trying to help—”

“You’re trying to steal our company. Just like Vincent. Just like Marcus. Just like Richard. And I’m done being polite about it.”

Patricia stood slowly. “You’re making a mistake. That article made you look weak. Vulnerable. Other people will come. Other offers. And they won’t be as generous as mine.”

“Then we’ll deal with them too. But we’re done with you.”

After Patricia left, Avalon turned to Selene.

“Well. That was enlightening.”

“She’s working with Richard. Has to be. Same playbook. Same strategy.”

“We need proof.”

“Then we get it. We dig into her finances. Her connections. Her mysterious investors. Diana can—”

Selene’s phone rang.

Unknown number.

She answered on speaker.

“Hello?”

A voice. Digitally distorted. Impossible to identify.

“Clever trap, Mrs. Pierce. The fake interview. The manufactured crisis. Patricia walked right into it.”

Selene’s heart stopped. “Who is this?”

“Someone who’s been watching. Someone who knows Patricia Wong is working with Richard. Someone who can prove it. If you’re interested.”

“Who are you?”

“A friend. Or an enemy. Depends on what you do next. Check your email. I’ve sent you files. Financial records linking Patricia to Richard. Proof she’s been sabotaging you from inside the board. Use them wisely.”

“Wait—”

The line went dead.

Selene opened her laptop.

There in her inbox—an email from an encrypted address.

She opened it.

Downloaded the files.

And felt her blood run cold.

Bank transfers. Millions of dollars. From Patricia Wong to offshore accounts controlled by Richard Castellanos.

Emails between them. Planning. Strategizing. Coordinating attacks on Pierce Holdings.

Contracts. Signed agreements to split the inheritance once they gained control.

All of it. Everything they needed.

Proof that Patricia Wong had been the traitor all along.

But the question was—who had sent it?

Who else knew?

And what did they want in return?

“It’s risky. If you announce you’re considering stepping back, the board could panic. Stock price could drop. Competitors could smell blood.”

“That’s the point,” Avalon said. “We need to create enough chaos that our traitor makes a move. Shows their hand.”

“And if multiple people make moves? If the chaos attracts opportunists who aren’t the traitor?”

“Then we sort through them until we find the right one.”

Diana set down her pen. “Okay. But we do this carefully. Controlled chaos. Not actual disaster.”

“Agreed. What do you recommend?”

“Start small. An interview maybe. You’re recovering from the shooting. Traumatized. Questioning whether Pierce Holdings is worth the cost. Plant the seed that you might step back. See who waters it.”

“Who would I give the interview to?”

“Someone trustworthy. Someone who won’t sensationalize. But someone widely read.” Diana thought for a moment. “TechCrunch. The same outlet that published the medical records leak. Redemption arc—you give them the exclusive about your recovery and they get to undo some of the damage they did.”

Selene felt her stomach turn. “The journalist who wrote that article—”

“Jessica Mendoza. I’ve already reached out. She’s interested. Says she wants to tell the whole story this time. Not just the scandal.”

“Can we trust her?”

“No. But we can use her. And right now, that’s all we need.”

The interview was scheduled for the following week.

In the meantime, Selene focused on healing. Physical therapy for her abdomen. Short walks around the penthouse. Slowly rebuilding strength.

And planning.

She and Avalon spent hours strategizing. What to say in the interview. How to sound vulnerable without seeming weak. How to bait the trap without being obvious.

Margaret called daily with board updates. Robert Chen checked in. Even Catherine texted occasionally—awkward messages that Selene didn’t know how to respond to.

And through it all, Selene watched.

Watched who called.

Who visited.

Who asked questions.

Looking for patterns. For tells. For anything that might reveal a traitor.

But everyone seemed genuine.

Diana was protective and professional as always.

Margaret was supportive and strategic.

Robert was concerned but respectful.

Catherine was apologetic and distant.

Nobody seemed suspicious.

Which meant whoever it was, they were very good at hiding.

The night before the interview, Selene couldn’t sleep.

She stood at the bedroom window, looking out at the city, feeling the ache in her abdomen where a bullet had torn through.

Avalon found her there.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked.

“Thinking.”

“About?”

“About how different everything is from a year ago. If you’d told me then that I’d be married to you, shot by my father, and hunting a traitor in our inner circle—I’d have thought you were insane.”

“If you’d told me a year ago that I’d fall in love with you again, I’d have said the same.”

She leaned against him. Carefully. Still healing.

“Do you think we’ll ever have a normal life?”

“Define normal.”

“I don’t know. Boring. Peaceful. Where the biggest crisis is what to have for dinner.”

“That sounds terrible.”

Despite everything, Selene laughed. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“We’re not built for boring, Selene. We’re built for this. The fighting. The surviving. The winning.”

“What if I’m tired of fighting?”

“Then we fight one more time. Catch the traitor. Secure the company. And then—” he paused, “—then maybe we can try boring. Just for a little while.”

“I’d like that.”

They stood together in the dark.

Outside, San Francisco slept.

Inside, they prepared for war.

Tomorrow’s interview would plant the seeds.

And then they’d wait.

Wait to see who tried to harvest them.

The interview happened in their penthouse.

Jessica Mendoza arrived with a photographer and a recording device.

She was younger than Selene expected. Maybe thirty. Professional but nervous.

“Thank you for agreeing to this,” Jessica said. “I know my last article caused you pain. I want to do better this time.”

“Then let’s tell the truth,” Selene said. “All of it.”

They sat in the living room. Cameras rolling.

Jessica started gentle. “How are you recovering?”

“Physically? Getting better every day. Emotionally? That’s harder.”

“Can you talk about what happened? About your father?”

And Selene did.

She talked about Richard. About the abandonment. About learning he was alive. About the betrayal.

About taking a bullet meant for Maya.

She was honest. Raw. Vulnerable.

Exactly what they’d planned.

Then Jessica asked the question they’d been waiting for.

“After everything you’ve been through—the depositions, the deaths, the shooting—is Pierce Holdings worth it? Are you questioning whether this company is worth the cost?”

Selene looked at Avalon. Saw him nod slightly.

This was it. The moment that would bait the trap.

“Honestly?” Selene said slowly. “Yes. I’m questioning everything. The inheritance, the company, staying in San Francisco. Avalon and I have been through hell. At some point, you have to ask—is it worth it? Or are we just throwing good years after bad?”

“Are you considering stepping back? Leaving Pierce Holdings?”

“We’re considering options. All options. Including whether we want to keep fighting for something that’s brought us nothing but pain.”

Jessica leaned forward. “That’s quite a statement. Pierce Holdings is worth billions. Your grandmother built an empire.”

“My grandmother also forced us into marriage. Created a situation that’s gotten people killed. Maybe her empire isn’t worth dying for.”

The interview continued for another hour.

But the bomb had been dropped.

Selene Castellano Pierce was questioning the inheritance.

Questioning the company.

Questioning everything.

The article would publish tomorrow morning.

And then they’d see who took the bait.

The article hit at 6 AM.

HEIR AND HEIRESSES IN CRISIS: Selene Pierce Questions Whether Billion-Dollar Inheritance Is Worth The Cost

In an exclusive interview, Selene Castellano Pierce opens up about the shooting, her father’s betrayal, and whether she and husband Avalon Pierce are ready to walk away from Pierce Holdings.

The quotes were devastating.

Selene is questioning the company, Avalon looking exhausted, both of them seeming ready to give up.

Exactly what they’d planned.

By 8 AM, Avalon’s phone was ringing off the hook.

Board members. Investors. Reporters.

Everyone wanting to know—were they really leaving? Was Pierce Holdings in crisis?

Avalon gave vague answers. “We’re evaluating options. No decisions yet.”

Which only created more panic.

By 10 AM, the stock price had dropped four percent.

By noon, six percent.

The board called an emergency meeting for the next day and through it all, Selene watched.

Who called? Who visited? Who seemed too eager to help?

Diana called immediately. Professionally concerned offering to draft statements.

Margaret called, she sounded worried asking if they needed anything.

Robert Chen called, he was confused and wanted clarification.

Catherine texted. Brief but supportive.

And then, at 2 PM, someone unexpected called.

Patricia Wong.

“Avalon, I just read the article. I want to talk, can we meet? Today if possible.”

Avalon looked at Selene.

She nodded.

“Sure, Patricia. Come by the penthouse by 4PM.”

After he hung up, Selene said, “She’s never called before, neither has she ever visited. Why now?”

“Maybe she thinks we’re weak and this is her opportunity.”

“You think she’s the traitor?”

“I think we’re about to find out.”

Patricia Wong arrived exactly at 4 PM.

Dressed impeccably. Carrying a leather portfolio.

Looking like she’d come to close a deal.

“Thank you for seeing me,” she said. “I know we’ve had our differences.”

“That’s an understatement,” Avalon said.

“Fair. But I’m here because I’m worried about the company and  you both. That article made it sound like you’re ready to walk away.”

“We’re considering our options.”

“Which is why I wanted to talk.” Patricia sat. Opened her portfolio. “I have a proposal. A way forward that might ease your burden.”

“We’re listening,” Selene said carefully.

“I represent a consortium of investors. We’ve been watching Pierce Holdings for months. We believe in its potential but we also believe it needs fresh leadership. New direction.”

“And?” Avalon’s voice was flat.

“And we’d like to make an offer. You should sell us controlling interest—fifty-one percent. You stay on as figurehead CEO but step back from daily operations. You get to keep the Pierce name, keep the inheritance technically, but shed the responsibility. The stress. The danger.”

Selene felt her blood run cold.

This was exactly what Richard had wanted.

Exactly what Vincent had tried to accomplish.

And now Patricia was offering the same deal.

“Who are these investors?” Avalon asked.

“Private individuals. People I’ve worked with for years. Trustworthy and respectable.”

“Names.”

“I’m not at liberty to disclose without preliminary agreement. But I can assure you—”

“You can’t assure us of anything,” Selene cut in. “We don’t know you, neither do we trust you and you’re asking us to hand over our company to some anonymous investors?”

Patricia’s expression hardened slightly. “I’m offering you an a way out. After everything you’ve been through—the deaths, the shooting, the trauma—don’t you want peace? Don’t you want to step back and just live?”

“What we want,” Avalon said coldly, “is to know why you’re really here. Why you suddenly care about our wellbeing when you’ve been hostile for months.”

“I haven’t been hostile. I’ve been realistic. This company needs professional management, not emotional decisions driven by family drama.”

“Family drama? People died.”

“Which proves my point. Pierce Holdings has become toxic. Dangerous. You should step back before someone else gets hurt.”

Selene saw it then.

The slight smile. The calculation in Patricia’s eyes.

This wasn’t concern it was opportunity.

“Get out,” Selene said quietly.

Patricia blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Get out of our home. Now, before I have security remove you.”

“I’m trying to help—”

“You’re trying to steal our company. Just like Vincent, Marcus and Richard. I am done being polite about it.”

Patricia stood slowly. “You’re making a mistake. That article already made you look weak. Other people will come with offers and they won’t be as generous as mine.”

“Then we’ll deal with them too, for now, we are done with you.”

After Patricia left, Avalon turned to Selene.

“Well. That was enlightening.”

“She’s working with Richard. It has to be, same playbook and strategy.”

“We need proof.”

“We should dig into her finances,  connections and definitely the mysterious investors. Diana can—”

Selene’s phone rang.

Unknown number.

She answered on speaker.

“Hello?”

A voice. Digitally distorted. Impossible to identify.

“Clever trap, Mrs. Pierce. The fake interview,  manufactured crisis and Patricia walked right into it.”

Selene’s heart stopped. “Who is this?”

“Someone who’s been watching. Someone who knows Patricia Wong is working with Richard and can prove it. If you’re interested.”

“Who are you?”

“A friend. Or an enemy. That depends on what you do next. Check your email, I’ve sent you files. Financial records linking Patricia to Richard they are proofs that she has been sabotaging you from inside the board. Use them wisely.”

“Wait—”

The line went dead.

Selene opened her laptop.

There in her inbox—an email from an encrypted address.

She opened it.

Downloaded the files.

And felt her blood run cold.

Bank transfers in million of dollars from Patricia Wong to offshore accounts controlled by Richard Castellanos. Emails between them coordinating attacks on Pierce Holdings.

Contracts, signed agreements to split the inheritance once they gained control. It was everything they needed. The proof that Patricia Wong had been the traitor all along.

But the question was—who had sent it?

Who else knew? And what do they want in return?