Chapter 8 The Enemy in the Shadows

​In a secluded room, a mysterious woman enlarged a photograph on her screen. It showed Dizer standing at the entrance of her apartment, one hand resting instinctively on her stomach while Liam stood only a few feet away, his face entirely unreadable.

​The woman smiled coldly. "So... she's really pregnant."

​Tapping the screen once, she dialed a number, and the call connected almost immediately. "Everything is confirmed," she reported.

​A man's deep voice replied from the other end, "What do you want us to do?"

​Her smile widened. "Nothing yet. Watch her."

​There was a brief pause before the man asked, "And the babies?"

​The woman's expression turned ice-cold. "They're useful... for now."

​She ended the call and immediately picked up a second phone. This time, the caller ID displayed a single name: Camille Shank. The phone rang twice before Camille answered with a hesitant, "Hello?"

​"I have something you'll want to see," the woman said smoothly.

​"...Who is this?" Camille questioned.

​"Check your email."

​Click. The line went dead.

​Confused and uneasy, Camille opened her inbox. One by one, the photographs appeared on her screen: Dizer with her hand protective over her stomach, Liam standing between her and Kendall during their confrontation at the apartment. Camille's face slowly lost all color.

​"No..." she whispered.

​The last picture showed Liam looking directly at Dizer. He didn't look at her with hatred or disgust—he looked at her with genuine concern.

​Camille immediately stood up, slamming her laptop shut. "No. I won't let this happen."

​Meanwhile, at the hospital, Liam had just finished Mrs. Harrison's emergency surgery. After six exhausting hours, the operation had been a complete success. As he peeled off his surgical gloves in the changing room, his brother Noah entered, carrying two cups of coffee.

​"You look like hell," Noah remarked, handing over one of the cups.

​"I feel worse," Liam admitted, accepting the caffeine.

​Noah studied his brother closely. "You've been distracted all day."

​Liam didn't deny it. Instead, he stared into his cup and quietly asked, "Noah... if a patient tells you something unbelievable, what do you do?"

​"You verify it," Noah answered simply.

​"And if it changes everything?"

​Noah smiled. "Then you verify it even faster."

​Liam looked down, his voice dropping. "Dizer says she's pregnant. And she says I'm the father."

​A long, heavy silence filled the room. Noah froze, staring at him. "...What? Do you think she's lying?"

​"I don't know," Liam answered honestly.

​Noah leaned back against a locker, folding his arms. "What kind of woman is she? You lived with her for seven months, Liam. Answer the question."

​Liam searched for the right words, pausing frequently. "She's... quiet. And hardworking. She never complained." He sighed deeply. "She took care of everyone."

​"Even after the way our family treated her?" Noah raised an eyebrow. "Does that sound like someone who would fake a pregnancy?"

​Liam couldn't answer. For the first time, the answer didn't seem so obvious anymore.

​Across town, Dizer unlocked her apartment door. She had barely stepped inside when her phone began to ring. Seeing the caller ID, a genuine smile finally crossed her face: Grandpa Wu.

​She answered immediately. "Grandpa."

​A cheerful, booming laugh came through the speaker. "My little captain!"

​Only Grandpa Wu still called her that. Years ago, when she was helping expand the Shank family's shipping business, he had been the retired harbor master who taught her everything about ports, cargo routes, and international freight. To Dizer, he wasn't just a mentor—he was family.

​"I heard the news," he said gently.

​She blinked in surprise. "What news?"

​"That you're finally free."

​A faint, sad smile crossed her face. "Not completely."

​"You will be," his voice reassured her. "Are you coming back? The position is still yours. The board voted unanimously."

​Dizer walked over to the window, staring out at the city. "I don't know. I haven't accepted yet."

​"They're waiting, Dizer. So am I. What are you waiting for?"

​Her hand instinctively rested on her stomach. "My children."

​Grandpa Wu chuckled softly. "Then bring them too."

​Tears instantly filled her eyes. "You'd accept me?"

​"I've been waiting for you for seven years," he replied warmly.

​Dizer's throat tightened, a tear slipping down her cheek. Sometimes, true love came from the people who owed you absolutely nothing.

​That evening, Camille arrived unannounced at the Oscar family estate. Liam's mother, Evelyn Oscar, welcomed her warmly into the grand foyer.

​"Camille, dear. You look upset."

​Camille forced a weak, fragile smile. "Aunt Evelyn, I just wanted to see Liam."

​"He's upstairs in the study."

​"Thank you."

​Camille walked upstairs and found Liam deeply engrossed in reviewing patient files. He looked entirely exhausted. She walked in quietly, slipping behind him. "You should rest," she murmured, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "You've been thinking about Dizer."

​Liam finally looked up at her, his expression guarded. "What makes you say that?"

​"You haven't smiled at me once today." When Liam met her words with silence, Camille lowered her eyes, letting a single tear fall. "Is it because of the pregnancy? Liam... I know my sister. When she wants something, she fights for it. I'm scared."

​"Of what?"

​"That she's using those babies just to keep you."

​Liam slowly stood up, cutting her off. "Enough. I've heard that enough."

​Camille blinked, completely stunned. "Liam..."

​"I don't know if she's telling the truth," his voice remained calm but firm. "But until I know for sure, I won't accuse her."

​Camille's heart sank. This wasn't the Liam she knew; something had shifted inside him. It wasn't a dramatic change, but it was just enough to terrify her. Quickly masking her panic, she forced another soft smile and stepped closer. "Of course. I'm only trying to protect you."

​Liam nodded politely. "I know."

​But inside, for the very first time in his life, he wasn't sure if he believed her.

​The next morning, Dizer arrived at Shank Global one final time. As she walked through the halls, employees stopped what they were doing. Some looked away guiltily, while others whispered fiercely in the corners. Everyone knew she was leaving.

​She entered her office, surrounded by seven years of memories—framed certificates, complex shipping maps, and project files she had personally completed from scratch. Opening her top drawer, she packed only the few things that truly belonged to her: a notebook, a fountain pen, and a photograph of herself standing proudly with Grandpa Wu beside a massive cargo ship. She touched nothing else.

​A soft knock interrupted her, and Mia, her longtime assistant, walked in with red, puffy eyes. "Miss Shank..."

​Dizer smiled gently. "I told you not to cry."

​"I can't help it," Mia choked out, suddenly throwing her arms around her. "You built this company!"

​Dizer hugged her back tightly. "We built it, Mia."

​"They don't deserve you," Mia sniffled, stepping back to wipe her tears. "Where will you go?"

​Dizer looked out the large office window toward the bustling harbor. "I don't know yet. But wherever I go..." Her voice grew steadier and full of resolve. "I'm starting over."

​Before Mia could reply, the office door swung open rudely. Kendall entered, his expression as cold and arrogant as ever. "I need the office keys," he demanded.

​Dizer looked at him quietly. Then, without a single argument, she calmly removed her access card from her pocket and placed it on the desk, followed by her company ID, her parking pass, and the master office key. She took one last look around the room, and then locked eyes with her brother.

​"I hope Camille can protect what I spent seven years building," she said quietly.

​Kendall said nothing. Dizer picked up her small cardboard box, walked past him, and never looked back.

​As the elevator doors closed, Dizer didn't see Kendall slowly walk over to the window to look down at the harbor. For the first time in years, a shadow of doubt crossed his face, and he whispered to himself, "I hope I haven't made the biggest mistake of my life."

​But outside the building, someone else was already waiting.

​A black luxury sedan sat idling across the street. Inside, the mysterious woman lowered her sunglasses, watching Dizer exit the building carrying nothing but her small box. A chilling smile spread across her face.

​"Perfect," she murmured. She picked up her phone and dialed. "It's time."

​The person on the other end asked only one word: "When?"

​The woman's smile widened into something truly sinister. "Tonight."