Alyssa’s POV
I stood in the dimly lit room, the oppressive silence thick with the weight of unspoken truths. My pulse hammered in my ears as I faced the man before me, his shadowed figure exuding a dangerous confidence that sent a chill down my spine.
“You’re saying my father built Xavier’s empire?” I asked, my voice edged with disbelief and fury. “And you just sat back and let him destroy everything he worked for?”
The associate, a man I vaguely remembered from childhood whispers and fleeting visits, leaned forward, his eyes cold and calculating.
“Not let, Alyssa. I tried to stop it, but your father… he trusted the wrong man. Xavier played the long game, and when your father realized the truth, it was too late.”
I clenched my fists. “And now you want me to believe you’re here to help? After all these years? Why now?”
His smirk was infuriating. “Because now, you have something your father never did. Leverage. The game has changed, Alyssa. Your father’s empire didn’t crumble completely-it’s dormant, waiting for the right person to reclaim it.”
I stepped back, shaking my head. “This sounds like some twisted ploy to drag me deeper into a world I’ve been trying to escape.”
“You’re already in it,” he said sharply, his tone cutting through my resistance. “Whether you like it or not, Xavier and Ethan have forced your hand. The only question is, will you play their game or rewrite the rules?”
I crossed my arms, trying to mask the storm raging inside me. “And what’s in it for you? Don’t pretend this is altruism.”
The man chuckled, low and bitter. “You’re smart, just like your father. Fine, I won’t sugarcoat it. If you reclaim the empire, I reclaim my position. But this isn’t just about me-it’s about your legacy, Alyssa. The one Xavier stole.”
I stared at him, my mind racing. Every instinct screamed at me to walk away, but the thought of my father, the mysteries surrounding his death, and the shadows of betrayal tugged at me.
“Prove it,” I said finally, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. “Show me something that ties Xavier to my father’s downfall.”
The man’s expression hardened, and he reached into his coat pocket. For a moment, I braced myself, muscles tensing for a fight, but he only pulled out a folder.
“This,” he said, tossing it onto the table between us.
I hesitated, then stepped forward and opened it. The first page was a financial ledger, detailing transactions that linked Xavier to a network of bribes and betrayals. Each line was damning, but it was the final entry that made my breath hitch.
My father’s name.
“He was paying your father under the guise of partnership,” the man explained. “But in reality, it was hush money to keep him from exposing Xavier’s illegal operations. When your father finally threatened to go public, Xavier had him eliminated.”
I slammed the folder shut, my hands trembling. “You’re saying Xavier killed my father?”
The associate’s gaze was steady, unyielding. “I’m saying he ordered it. Your father’s death wasn’t an accident, Alyssa. It was a calculated move to ensure his silence-permanent silence.”
Anger surged through me, hot and consuming. “And you expect me to just take your word for it? How do I know you didn’t fabricate all of this to manipulate me?”
“I thought you might say that,” he said, pulling out a small device. He pressed a button, and an audio recording crackled to life.
A familiar voice-Xavier’s voice-filled the room.
“Evander’s becoming a liability. Handle it.”
The recording ended, leaving a suffocating silence in its wake.
My knees nearly buckled. The cold, detached way Xavier spoke… it was undeniable.
“You bastard,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
The associate nodded grimly. “Now you see the truth. And now you have a choice. You can continue to play both sides, let them use you until there’s nothing left, or you can claim the power that’s rightfully yours and make them pay for what they’ve done.”
I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles white. The weight of the revelation threatened to crush me, but I couldn’t afford to break. Not yet.
“What’s your plan?” I asked finally, meeting his gaze.
He smiled, a predator sensing victory. “We start by dismantling Xavier’s empire from within. You still have access to Ethan’s resources-use them to sow chaos. Once Xavier is vulnerable, we strike.”
“And Ethan?”
“Collateral damage,” he said with a shrug. “He’s no better than Xavier. They both need to fall.”
I shook my head. “I won’t become a killer. If you think I’m going to follow in their footsteps, you’re wrong.”
“Then find another way,” he said simply. “But remember this: in this world, mercy is a weakness. If you hesitate, they’ll destroy you.”
I turned away, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The man’s words were brutal, but I couldn’t deny their truth.
“I’ll think about it,” I said finally, heading for the door.
As I reached for the handle, his voice stopped me.
“Alyssa.”
I glanced back.
“Don’t take too long. The clock is ticking, and Xavier won’t wait for you to make up your mind.”
I left without another word, the folder clutched tightly in my hands.
The night air was cold, biting against my skin as I stepped outside. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, half-expecting another cryptic message or threat.
Instead, it was Isabella.
“Where are you?” she asked, her voice tense.
“I’m… handling something,” I said evasively.
“Alyssa, the FBI is ramping up their operation. They’re going after everyone-Xavier, Ethan, even you. You need to be careful.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I know. I just-there’s something I need to do first.”
“What is it?”
I hesitated, then said, “I’ll explain later. Just… trust me.”
There was a pause, then Isabella said, “Be safe, Alyssa. Whatever you’re doing, don’t let it consume you.”
“I won’t,” I promised, though the words felt hollow.
As I hung up, I glanced down at the folder in my hands. The weight of it was almost unbearable, a physical reminder of the choices before me.
I didn’t notice the shadow moving until it was too late.
A hand clamped over my mouth, and I was dragged into the darkness.
“Don’t scream,” a voice hissed in my ear.
My heart pounded as I struggled against the grip, but the voice continued, low and menacing.
“You have something that doesn’t belong to you.”
The folder.
Before I could react, a second figure stepped into view, their face hidden by a mask. They reached for the folder, and I clutched it tighter.
“You’re making a mistake,” I said through gritted teeth.
The masked figure leaned in close. “The only mistake here is thinking you can play this game without getting your hands dirty. Consider this your first lesson.”
With a sharp twist, they yanked the folder from my grasp and disappeared into the shadows, leaving me gasping for breath.
As I stood there, shaken and furious, my phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a message.
Unknown Number: The truth is never free. Choose wisely, Alyssa.
I stared at the screen, my resolve hardening.
If they thought they could intimidate me, they were dead wrong.
The game wasn’t over-not by a long shot.