Alyssa’s POV
I sat at the heavy oak desk in my father’s penthouse, staring at the folder he had slid across to me. Its contents could burn the world down-or at least a significant part of it.
Xavier’s hidden assets, meticulously detailed, from offshore accounts to shell companies masking arms deals. I traced the edge of the folder with my finger, my thoughts spinning like a roulette wheel.
“This is your chance, Alyssa,” my father said, leaning back in his chair. His calm demeanor barely concealed the sharp edge of authority beneath it.
“Take this list, use it strategically, and you’ll not only cripple Xavier but also secure your position. However,” he added, his voice dropping an octave, “if you fail… you’re on your own.”
His words hung in the air like a guillotine.
“You make it sound so simple,” I said, my voice tight. “Like playing chess. But the pieces on this board bleed, Dad.”
“Sentimentality doesn’t win wars,” he replied coldly. “And make no mistake, Alyssa, this is war. One you cannot afford to lose.”
I stood, gripping the folder tightly. “And what happens if I don’t want to play by your rules? What if I want out of this sick game altogether?”
He laughed, a low, bitter sound. “Out? You think there’s an out? The second Xavier or Ethan smells weakness, they’ll rip you apart. You need to make your move before they make theirs.”
[Chat Exchange: Alyssa & Father]
Alyssa: “And if I fail, you’ll just cut me off? Pretend I never existed?”
Father: “It’s not personal. It’s survival. I’ve already done more than most would for their children. But I won’t sacrifice my entire empire for one person-not even you.”
Alyssa: “Comforting. Really.”
Father: “You’re smart enough to know this isn’t about comfort. It’s about winning. Use the resources I’m giving you, and you’ll come out on top. Fail… and you won’t survive.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, swallowing the rage that threatened to spill over. My father’s version of love was as sharp and unforgiving as a blade. But I wasn’t the naive little girl he once knew. I had my own plans.
As I walked out of the room, his voice followed me. “One last thing, Alyssa.”
I paused, turning back.
“Don’t trust anyone. Especially not yourself.”
The irony of his words was almost laughable.
I retreated to the bedroom he had assigned me for the night. It was luxurious, of course, but it felt more like a cage than a sanctuary. Tossing the folder onto the bed, I opened it and began flipping through the pages. The details were dizzying-account numbers, transaction histories, property deeds. My father had been thorough.
But the real question was: why? Why give me this now? Why trust me with information that could topple a giant like Xavier?
The answer was obvious. He didn’t trust me at all. This was another test, another layer of his endless manipulation.
[Chat Exchange: Alyssa & Isabella]
I grabbed my phone, dialing Isabella’s number. She picked up on the third ring.
Alyssa: “I need you to do something for me.”
Isabella: “I’m still cleaning up the mess from last time. What now?”
Alyssa: “Run a background check on a list of assets. Offshore accounts, properties-anything connected to Xavier.”
Isabella: “Xavier? I thought you were focused on Ethan now.”
Alyssa: “Plans change. Can you do it or not?”
Isabella: “Send me the details. But Alyssa… be careful. Playing both sides is a dangerous game.”
Alyssa: “I’ll be fine.”
Isabella: “Famous last words.”
After hanging up, I sank onto the bed, my mind racing. Playing both sides was dangerous, but it was my only option. If I aligned myself fully with my father, I’d be nothing more than a pawn in his empire. If I sided with Ethan or Xavier, I’d end up as collateral damage in their power struggle.
No, the only way to survive was to outmaneuver all of them.
I pulled out a notepad and began scribbling down a plan. Step one: leverage my father’s information to sow discord between Ethan and Xavier. Step two: gain access to the hidden assets before either of them could. Step three: find a way to bring my father down before he decided I was expendable.
The problem was, every step of this plan required perfect timing-and a hell of a lot of luck.
Hours later, I was still poring over the folder when my phone buzzed with a text.
Unknown Number: Tick tock, Alyssa. The clock’s running out.
My stomach twisted. I didn’t need a signature to know who it was. Xavier’s men had been shadowing me for weeks, always one step behind but never far enough to lose their scent.
I texted back: Is that a threat or a promise?
No reply.
By morning, I was dressed and ready to leave, the folder tucked securely in my bag. I had an appointment to meet one of my father’s operatives-a man who supposedly had access to a vault containing documents that could bury Xavier and Ethan alike.
As I walked into the underground parking garage, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. My hand hovered over the knife strapped to my thigh, every step echoing like a gunshot in the silence.
When I reached my car, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
“Leaving so soon?”
It was Ethan.
[Chat Exchange: Alyssa & Ethan]
Alyssa: “What do you want?”
Ethan: “We need to talk.”
Alyssa: “I’m not in the mood for games.”
Ethan: “Good. Neither am I. I know about the list, Alyssa. Your father gave it to you, didn’t he?”
Alyssa: “How do you-”
Ethan: “Let’s just say I have my sources. But here’s the thing: I also know what you’re planning to do with it.”
Alyssa: “And what’s that?”
Ethan: “Play both sides. It’s a bold move, I’ll give you that. But it’s also stupid. You’re going to get yourself killed.”
Alyssa: “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Ethan: “I’m serious, Alyssa. Xavier isn’t just going to sit back and let you dismantle his empire. And your father? He’ll throw you to the wolves the second you stop being useful.”
I stared at him, my pulse racing. Ethan was many things-charming, ruthless, manipulative-but he wasn’t wrong.
“And what do you suggest I do?” I asked, crossing my arms.
“Give me the list,” he said, his tone deadly serious. “Let me take care of Xavier. You’ll be safe with me.”
I laughed bitterly. “Safe? With you? That’s rich, Ethan.”
“I’m not your enemy, Alyssa,” he said, stepping closer. “At least, not right now.”
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed again.
Father: You’ll want to keep an eye on Ethan. He’s not the only one who knows about the list.
I looked up at Ethan, my mind spinning. How much did he really know? And how much of this was just another manipulation?