Chapter 7 Tipping The Scales

Zara's POV

I stepped into the back of the car, my chest tightening for a moment with anxiety. The city passed along the windows like a flowing shadow.

This meeting with Noah felt different. The stakes were higher now.

Sebastian was edgy and I had no more time before the both of them caught up with me.

By the time we arrived at a private townhouse in the center of the city, I was on edge.

I couldn't afford any mistakes. Not tonight.

The driver got out and opened my door, I climbed out the car to look up a long tall building.

Before I had a chance to knock the door swung open and there was Noah, tumbler of amber liquid in his hand, his bright green eyes filled with humour and something more...

"Right on schedule," he purred in that bow-in-my-shadow voice of his, and shifted to the side.

I brushed by him, keeping my back straight. "Why did you ask me here, Noah?"

He shut the door behind me with a soft click, his unwavering gaze not leaving mine for a second. "Sebastian Knight is about to fall into shambles, and it's time we do everything we can to provoke that."

I squinted at him suspiciously, tightening my arms against my chest. "What are you saying?"

Noah's smile widened, predatory. "Sebastian's empire is vulnerable. More than you know. And with the right push... we can watch it all come crashing down."

I shivered. Noah was cool and unruffled, a strategist planning chess moves instead of a corporate battle. I wasn't about to play his game.

I had my own agenda.

"You think you can take him down just like that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sebastian is way more dangerous than you think."

Noah took a long sip from his drink. He put the glass back on the table slowly.

" Yes I know he is dangerous. But not invincible." He stepped closer to me, his voice dropping lower. "I have something that can tip the scales in our favor. Something that can ruin him."

I stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a smooth USB drive, brandishing it between his fingers like some kind of trophy. "Everything he's hiding, all his offshore accounts and illegal dealings that no one else knows about. Not even the board."

If this gets out, Sebastian Knight won't just lose his company, he'll lose everything."

My eyes widened, my pulse quickening. This was it. The weapon I'd been searching for.

The key to bringing down Sebastian and completing my revenge. But something about the way Noah was offering it so freely made me hesitate.

"What's your angle, Noah?" I asked, my voice wary. "Why are you giving me this?"

Noah's smile didn't falter. "Because I know you'll use it. And because when this is all over, you and I will be the ones left standing."

I clenched my fists, torn between the burning desire to destroy Sebastian and the nagging suspicion that Noah was playing me.

But there was no denying the power that little drive held. If I had it, I could end everything.

I immediately asked coldly, "What do you want from me?"

Noah's smile faded, and his gaze darkened. "I want you to commit, Zara. No more playing both sides. You choose me, or you choose him. But there's no going back after tonight."

His words dropped over me like a heavy weight. The game had been taking its toll on me for too long now, teetering between Noah and Sebastian without falling, but I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't have both.

And whatever I did, I couldn't do it over again.

---

Sebastian's POV

I was there in my office suite looking out over the city. The glass of Scotch in my hand wasn't throwing any heat.

Zara had been lying to me, playing me and now she was with Noah. My chest tightened at the thought.

I should've seen it coming. Noah had been hovering over my shoulder like a vulture, just biding his time for the moment I fell.

And Zara? She had been feeding him pieces of my world, little by little, without me noticing.

But now I knew.

I intentionally dropped the glass on the desk and the liquid splashed all over the desk.

No one betrayed me. No one.

The sound of the door opening to my left shook me from my spiralling thoughts. I looked up to see one of my closest men enter.

"We've tracked her," he said, his tone neutral.

"Where?" I demanded, already knowing the answer.

"She's with Noah Hale."

A slow, dangerous smile crept onto my lips. "Good."

I pushed myself to my feet, already thinking several steps ahead, determined not to let this go unpunished.

Zara had chosen her side, and now she would have to face the consequences.

But first, I needed to deal with Noah.

"Get the car ready," I ordered, my voice low. "It's time to pay Mr. Hale a visit."

---

Zara's POV

I stared at the USB drive in Noah's hand, my mind racing.

This could end it all.

This could bring down Sebastian once and for all.

But I had a feeling in my gut like there was something I wasn't seeing.

Before I could say anything there was a loud crash from downstairs and my heart jumped into my throat, Noah's eyes flew to mine wide with fear.

"What the hell was that?" I whispered, fear lacing my words.

Noah didn't answer. Instead, he moved toward the door, his movements quick and calculated.

"Stay here," he said and I could tell from his voice that he was stressed.

My whole body locked as footsteps began to thump up the staircase. Noah reached into his desk rapidly. He pulled out a gun.

"Wait," I hissed, stepping toward him. "What are you doing?"

He had no chance to answer me as the door flung open and there was Sebastian with flames in his eyes.

The sight of him turned my blood to ice.

"This, Is how it ends?" Sebastian growled, the venom in his voice almost audible. "You were in league with him this whole time."

Noah stepped in front of me, his gun raised, but Sebastian didn't flinch. He was too focused on me, his gaze burning with betrayal.

"You think you can take me down, Zara?" Sebastian said, his voice low and dangerous. "You think I wouldn't figure it out?"

I couldn't articulate words. The room felt thick, and from all sides I could feel that rivalry they had weighing down on me.

"Both of you made a mistake," Sebastian spoke again, with a twist to his lips that seemed part amused and part dangerous. "And now it's time for you two to pay."

I didn't have a second to prepare myself before Sebastian was in motion, faster than I'd believed possible. He knocked the gun from Noah's hands in a smooth but brutal maneuver.

The gun clattered to the floor and in an instant Sebastian had Noah slammed against the wall, his forearm across his throat. I took a step back, my mind was reeling. I had to do something!

"Stop!" I shout out, barely able to control my voice. "This won't solve anything!"

But they don't listen. They're lost. Lost in the world of their hatred for each other.

I knew whatever was going to happen next that I would be right in the middle of all of it.