Chapter 5 Enemy within

The morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting long golden streaks across the marble floor of the estate. But for Elena, it didn't feel like morning. It felt like waiting.

Waiting for another note. Another threat. Another crack to split their fragile calm wide open.

Downstairs, Alexander was already in the study with Cassian, voices low, serious. They'd been reviewing staff files, cross-referencing visitor logs, and going through surveillance footage from the past six months. Elena knew they were getting close.

She could feel it - like static in the air before lightning strikes.

But nothing prepared her for what came next.

---

It started with a name.

"Julian Whitford," Alexander said, tossing a file onto the coffee table later that evening.

Elena looked up from her seat on the couch, where she'd been trying - and failing - to read.

"Who's that?"

"My father's former advisor. He retired from the board two years ago. Said he was tired of the politics. But he still has deep connections - and more importantly, loyal men still working inside the company. Including one in our security department."

Elena straightened. "You think he's behind the notes?"

"I think he's behind everything," Alexander said grimly. "The threats. The drone. The infiltration of this house."

Elena's stomach twisted. "Why would he come after me?"

"Because you're my weakness."

Elena flinched.

Alexander saw it. His face softened.

"That's not a bad thing, Elena. But they think hurting you will break me. And maybe... they're right."

She shook her head. "So what do we do?"

"We draw him out."

---

Over the next two days, the mansion became a stage.

Elena played her part - walking the halls as if nothing had changed, attending a carefully planned "public charity brunch" with Alexander, and wearing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Alexander, meanwhile, tightened the net. He leaked false information. Let it be known that he was transferring a portion of his company's stock into Elena's name.

It was bait.

And the trap was set.

---

The first bite came that night.

One of the maids - a quiet girl named Marissa - tried to slip a burner phone into Elena's bathroom cabinet.

She was caught within minutes.

Elena was in the room when Cassian interrogated her.

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone," Marissa sobbed. "I was just supposed to leave the phone - that's all. They said if I did it, they'd erase my brother's debts. He's sick - I didn't know it would get this bad-"

"Who gave you the phone?" Alexander asked, voice cold.

Marissa hesitated.

"Eliza Hartford," she whispered.

Silence fell.

Alexander stood very still. His knuckles went white.

"Eliza," he repeated.

Elena frowned. "Who's that?"

"My stepmother," he said.

Elena stared at him.

"She married my father when I was seventeen. Never loved him. Just wanted the name, the power. When he died, she tried to claim half the company - but my father's will was airtight. She's been bitter ever since."

"She lives in Paris, doesn't she?" Cassian asked.

Alexander's mouth twisted. "Apparently not anymore."

---

That night, Alexander told Elena everything.

About Eliza's ambition. Her manipulation. Her veiled threats over the years. And her recent disappearance from the spotlight.

"She always hated weakness," he said. "And she thought my love for my sister was exactly that. After her death, Eliza disappeared from the board... but clearly she didn't give up."

Elena sat beside him on the couch, heart pounding. "So she's the one behind all this?"

Alexander nodded. "And Julian Whitford is her old ally. Together, they could bring down everything - my company, my family legacy, even..."

He looked at her.

"Even me."

---

The next morning, Elena made a decision.

She would meet Eliza.

Not in secret. Not behind Alexander's back. But face to face, on her terms.

Cassian and Alexander both protested at first - loudly - but Elena stood her ground.

"If I'm the target, then I need to stop hiding. Let me be the one to face her."

Alexander shook his head. "She's dangerous. Manipulative. She'll use every word like a weapon."

"Then let me sharpen my own."

---

The meeting took place at an upscale rooftop bar in the city.

Elena arrived with Cassian nearby, watching every corner.

Eliza Hartford was already there, seated like a queen with a glass of blood-red wine in her hand. She was in her mid-fifties, flawless in a way that only money could buy - with sharp cheekbones, platinum hair, and a smile like a serpent's.

"Elena," she said smoothly, rising to kiss both cheeks. "You're even prettier in person. I suppose Alexander does have taste after all."

Elena didn't flinch. "You wanted to meet me. I'm here."

"Good girl," Eliza purred, gesturing for her to sit. "Tell me - what does it feel like to sleep next to a man who would burn the world for you?"

Elena held her gaze. "Safer than sitting across from someone who'd rather see it all burn."

Eliza's smile widened.

"You have fire," she said. "No wonder he's fallen."

"Is that what this is about? Jealousy? Power?"

"Oh, darling. This is about balance. Alexander tipped the scales when he married you. He exposed a nerve. One we now plan to sever."

"You won't touch him."

Eliza sipped her wine. "I already have. And soon, when your name is tied to his assets, I'll touch you, too."

Elena leaned forward. "If you come after me again, I won't just defend myself. I'll destroy you."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Eliza laughed - soft, cruel, delighted.

"Oh, sweetheart," she said. "I underestimated you."

"Everyone does," Elena replied, standing.

Then, without looking back, she walked away.

---

Back in the car, Alexander was waiting.

He took one look at her face and pulled her into his arms.

"I shouldn't have let you go alone," he muttered into her hair.

"She's worse than I imagined," Elena said. "But she's scared of me now."

Alexander pulled back. "You scare me sometimes too."

"Good."

---

That night, a fire broke out in one of Alexander's warehouses.

Two guards were injured. Millions lost.

The news blamed faulty wiring.

Alexander knew better.

"She's done hiding," he said. "She's declaring open war."

Elena stepped beside him. "Then so are we."