"The sharpest betrayal comes from the ones you trust the most."
I stared at Jake's name on the document, my mind refusing to accept what my eyes were seeing.
This has to be a mistake...
I clutched the paper tightly, my fingers trembling. Jake had been with me since the beginning — back when Lyson was still finding its footing in the business world. He stood beside me through late nights, bad deals, and impossible deadlines. He wasn’t just a colleague — he was my closest ally... my friend.
But the evidence was right there in front of me. Transactions linked to his accounts. Payments disguised under vague labels like "consultation fees" and "external services." Numbers that didn’t match anything in Lyson's records.
I felt sick.
Was it all fake? The loyalty? The late-night brainstorming sessions? The years of friendship?
The walls of my penthouse seemed to close in on me. I tried to piece everything together — the leaked article, Mr. Deveraux’s warning, Marco’s cryptic message — and they all pointed to one undeniable truth: Jake had betrayed not just me, but the entire company.
But why?
***
The next morning...
I barely slept, and the exhaustion clung to me like a heavy fog. Despite my pounding headache, I knew I had to confront him.
When I arrived at the office, Jake was already there, seated in the conference room, flipping through papers as if nothing had happened.
"Morning!" he greeted me with his usual grin. "You okay? You look—"
“Cut the act,” I snapped, slamming the document on the table. “Explain this.”
His smile faltered. “What’s this?”
“You tell me,” I shot back. “Because it looks like you’ve been moving money behind the company’s back.”
His eyes flicked to the paper, and for a second — just a second — I saw panic flash across his face. But then he masked it with a dry chuckle.
“Aria, you really think I’d—”
“Don’t,” I interrupted, my voice sharp. “I trusted you. Aethan trusted you. You’ve handled accounts for years because we believed you had Lyson’s best interests at heart.” I swallowed hard, my voice breaking. “Because I believed in you.”
His face hardened. “You’re being paranoid.”
“Am I?” I grabbed the document and pointed at the figures. “These accounts — they’re linked to your name.”
“I can explain—”
“Then explain!” I snapped. “Because right now, the only thing I see is you pocketing money while we’re fighting to keep this company afloat!”
He shot up from his chair, anger flaring in his eyes. “I’ve worked just as hard as you, Aria! Don’t act like you’re the only one keeping this company together.”
I stared at him, stunned. “That’s what this is about?” My voice trembled. “You think you deserve more?”
“I think I deserve something!” he shouted. “I’ve been busting my ass for years, and what do I have to show for it? Meanwhile, you’re Aethan’s golden star — you get the praise, the power, the success!”
His words hit me like a slap.
“You wanted credit?” I whispered bitterly. “So you thought stealing from the company was the answer?”
His face twisted with frustration. “I didn’t steal,” he spat. “I just... I just took what I was owed.”
“What you were owed?” I repeated, my voice rising. “We both worked hard for this company! I sacrificed just as much as you did, Jake. The only difference is... I didn’t cut corners or betray the people who trusted me.”
He exhaled harshly and turned away, gripping the back of his chair tightly. “I didn’t mean for it to get this far,” he muttered. “I thought... I thought no one would notice.”
I let out a bitter laugh — short and cold. “And what if they hadn’t?” My voice was tight with emotion. “Would you have just kept going?”
He didn’t answer.
“You’re done,” I said coldly. “I’m reporting this to Aethan. I don’t care what your excuse is — you crossed the line.”
His eyes widened. “You can’t just—”
“Oh, I can,” I cut him off. “And I will.”
For a moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes — regret, maybe? But it was gone just as quickly. Without another word, he stormed out of the room.
Later that afternoon...
I sat at my desk, staring blankly at the reports in front of me. Reporting Jake to Aethan had felt necessary, but it didn’t feel good. The betrayal cut deeper than I expected — like a knife I hadn’t seen coming.
I kept replaying our last conversation, trying to make sense of his words. I just took what I was owed...
Was it greed? Jealousy? Or had he always resented me, just waiting for the right moment to strike?
“Ma’am?” Claire’s voice broke through my thoughts. “This just arrived.”
She placed another envelope on my desk — identical to the first one. My pulse quickened as I opened it.
Inside was another document — but this time, it wasn’t financial records.
It was a list of names. Names of business partners, clients... and competitors. At the bottom of the page was a handwritten note:
“Jake was just the beginning. They want to see you fall — and they won’t stop here.”
My heart pounded in my chest.
This wasn’t just Jake acting alone. There was more — something bigger — happening behind the scenes.
Someone’s coming for me... and this is only the start.
I clenched the paper tightly. I had spent years working hard for Lyson — sacrificing my time, my energy, and sometimes even my sanity. I wasn’t about to let it all crumble now.
If they want a fight... they’ll get one.
***