All Chapters of Too Late to Want Me Back: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Elena stared at the anonymous message on her phone.If you want to save Marchetti Group, come alone. Tonight. 9:00 PM. Warehouse 17. Tell no one.She read it twice.Then locked the screen.David looked at her."You seem distracted."Elena slipped the phone into her pocket."It's nothing."David frowned."I've known you long enough to know that's not true."She forced a small smile."I'll handle it."Night fell over the city.At exactly nine o'clock...A black sedan stopped outside Warehouse 17.The area was silent.Old shipping containers stood under dim streetlights.Not a single person was in sight.Elena stepped out of the car.She looked around carefully."Hello?"Only the wind answered.A voice suddenly came from the darkness."You actually came."A man in a black coat walked into the light.His face was hidden beneath a cap."You sent the message?""I did.""What do you want?"He smiled faintly."I want to help you."Elena didn't move."People who want to help usually introduce

The message stayed on Elena's screen.Stop looking at Damian. Start looking at your own family.She read it again.Then deleted it.David noticed the change in her expression."What did it say?"Elena placed her phone on the desk."It wants me to doubt my own family."Robert frowned."Do you think it's another trick?""Maybe."She picked up the old photograph Vivian had left behind."But someone wanted me to see this picture."She pointed at Marco Marchetti's former legal advisor."I want everything we have on him."Robert nodded."I'll start immediately.""And don't tell anyone.""Not even the board.""I understand."That afternoon...Elena drove to the Marchetti family estate.It had been months since she had visited.The house felt strangely quiet.Her father, Marco Marchetti, was sitting alone in the library.He looked up as she entered."I wasn't expecting you."Elena forced a smile."I needed to ask you something."Marco closed the book in his hands."You look worried."She plac

The café burned behind them.Orange flames swallowed the old building while firefighters and police cars rushed toward the scene.David pulled the car onto the highway.He looked at Elena."Are you hurt?"She shook her head."I'm fine.""But Victor..."Neither of them finished the sentence.Elena lowered her eyes to the small flash drive resting in her hand.Victor had risked everything to give it to her.There had to be a reason.Back at Marchetti Group...Only Elena, David, and Robert remained in the office.Robert connected the flash drive to his laptop.For several seconds...Nothing happened.Then a folder appeared.PROJECT ORIONDavid frowned."I've never heard of this."Robert clicked it open.Dozens of files filled the screen.Emails.Financial reports.Confidential contracts.And one document marked in red.STRICTLY CONFIDENTIALElena opened it.Her heart sank.It wasn't about Cross Industries.It wasn't about Marchetti Group.It was about...Her marriage.David leaned closer

Elena sat in her office, David's earlier call still echoing in her mind, when he knocked and entered again, his expression grim."There's more," David said, closing the door behind him. "I spoke with Dr. Carter directly this time.""And?" Elena asked, bracing herself."The administrator who was approached described the woman who offered the bribe," David said. "Well dressed, confident, asked very specific questions about pregnancy related visits under a shortened name.""Vivian," Elena said quietly."I can't prove it," David said. "The administrator didn't get a name, and Vivian would never be careless enough to use her own.""She wouldn't need to be careless," Elena said. "She just needed the information. Whether we can prove her involvement or not, we both know who benefits most from exposing this."David sat down across from her. "What do you want to do?""I want to stop reacting," Elena said. "I've spent months protecting this secret, hoping the pressure would ease. It hasn't.""Y

The Grand Meridian ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.Business leaders.Investors.Reporters.Cameras.Every important figure in the city had gathered for the Marchetti Group Investor Summit.Backstage, Elena adjusted her blazer and took a slow breath.David stood beside her."You don't have to do this tonight," he said quietly. "We can still find another way."Elena looked at him and smiled faintly."There isn't another way.""If I stay silent, someone else will speak for me.""And I'm done letting people write my story."David nodded."Then whatever happens...""You won't face it alone."---Across the ballroom...Vivian checked her phone.A message flashed across the screen.The reporters are ready.A satisfied smile spread across her face."Perfect."Tonight, Elena would lose everything.Or so she believed.---The host stepped onto the stage."Ladies and gentlemen...""Please welcome the Vice President of Marchetti Group...""Miss Elena Marchetti."Applause echoed th