Chapter 5 THE SET TRAP

The Mercedes estate buzzed with activity the next morning. Servants rushed in and out with documents, drivers polished the cars, and the elders gathered for yet another meeting. The luncheon had shifted the winds in the city, and Harold was determined to seize momentum.

Marcus, however, saw his chance.

"Father," Marcus said smoothly as the family assembled in the drawing room. "The commerce luncheon was only a first step. If we truly want to restore our name, we must strike deals quickly before rivals exploit the rumors. Fortunately" he smiled, "an opportunity has presented itself."

Vivienne leaned forward eagerly. "Oh? Do tell."

Marcus adjusted his cufflinks, his voice confident. "The Eastvale Infrastructure Project. A massive contract backed by city officials. Roads, bridges, utilities. Whoever secures it will hold influence for years. Representatives are hosting a private negotiation tomorrow."

Harold's brows rose. "And you believe we can secure a share?"

Marcus nodded. "If handled correctly. But..." His eyes slid toward Cole. "...we must send someone who proves we are not afraid to trust our new partnerships. Someone tied to Falcon Holdings."

Vivienne caught the thread instantly. "You mean him."

Marcus spread his hands innocently. "Who better? If Falcon's faith in him is real, then let him show it. Let him win us the project."

The elders murmured, weighing the idea. On the surface, it was clever. If Cole succeeded, the family gained. If he failed... blame fell on him alone.

Andriana stiffened. She knew Marcus too well. This was no opportunity, it was bait.

"Father," she said quickly, "this seems rushed. We don't even know who else will attend. Throwing Cole into this is...."

Harold raised a hand, silencing her. His gaze shifted to Cole. "Well? What do you say?"

All eyes turned to him.

Cole sat calmly, hands folded on his knee. He had seen the trap the moment Marcus opened his mouth, but instead of resisting, he smiled faintly.

"I'll go."

Andriana turned sharply. "Cole!!!"

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable but steady. "If this project can strengthen the family, then I'll handle it. No matter the obstacles."

Harold studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. Cole will represent us. Tomorrow's meeting will decide much."

Marcus's lips curved into a satisfied smirk.Later, in Marcus's office, Vivienne closed the door behind them.

"You played that perfectly," she said, admiration lacing her tone. "Tomorrow he'll walk into Damien's hands, and Father himself will blame him when it collapses."

Marcus poured himself a drink, savoring the burn. "Exactly. Falcon's respect won't matter if Cole is exposed as incompetent. Once the officials declare him a fraud, even Andriana won't be able to defend him."

Vivienne smirked. "And Damien?"

Marcus's smile darkened. "Already preparing. He promised forged contracts, bribed inspectors, even false witnesses. By tomorrow, Cole Ambers will be a laughingstock."

Across the city, in a dimly lit warehouse, Damien Kross oversaw preparations. His men spread forged documents across a table, each stamped with convincing seals.

The scarred crime boss leaned over them, tapping a signature line with his finger. "This will make him look like a liar. A fraud who pretended to bring Falcon Holdings' support into our city."

One of his lieutenants chuckled. "When the officials expose the forgery, the Mercedes family will turn on him instantly."

Damien's grin widened. "And once he's cast out, he'll have no shield. Then I'll crush him in the open. Piece by piece."

That evening, Andriana confronted Cole in their room.She shut the door firmly, her eyes blazing. "You know this is a trap. Marcus wants you to fall. Damien wants you destroyed. Why walk into it?"

Cole sat at the edge of the bed, removing his cufflinks with slow precision. "Because walking into the trap is the only way to break it."

Her frustration boiled over. "You talk in riddles, Cole! Do you even understand the risk? If you fail, Father won't protect you. They'll cast you out. Everything you've endured, everything you've done will be gone."

He looked up at her then, his gaze steady, unwavering. "Andriana. Trust me. Marcus thinks he's clever. Damien thinks he's ruthless. But both of them underestimate me. Tomorrow, I'll remind them why that's a mistake."

Her breath caught. There was something in his voice,not arrogance, not recklessness, but certainty. A certainty that unsettled her even as it drew her in.

She sank beside him, her anger melting into quiet fear. "Then promise me you'll come back safe."

Cole reached for her hand, holding it firmly. "I'll come back stronger."

Far across the city, under the neon glow of Eastvale's nightlife, Damien lit a cigar and watched the smoke curl toward the ceiling.

"Tomorrow," he murmured, his grin sharp as a blade, "the dragon walks into my cage."

The next morning, Eastvale's skyline shimmered beneath pale sunlight. Glass towers gleamed, and the streets thrummed with the pulse of commerce. Yet within the city's grandeur lay shadows,the kind where men like Damien thrived.

Cole stepped out of the Mercedes estate dressed in a crisp charcoal suit. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, scanning everything. The family's car waited, gleaming black.

Andriana hurried after him, worry etched across her face. "Cole, please... remember what we talked about."

He paused at the steps, meeting her gaze. "I haven't forgotten. Trust is a rare weapon, Andriana. Yours... matters more than you know."

For a moment, her heart stilled. Then he turned, slid into the car, and the driver pulled away.

The conference venue was the Grand Meridian Hotel, its marble pillars and golden chandeliers screaming wealth and influence. The top floor had been sealed for the private negotiation for only city officials, business leaders, and chosen representatives were allowed entry.

Marcus arrived separately, his presence a calculated gesture of support. Vivienne, on his arm, whispered sweet venom in his ear.

"Watch him drown, Marcus. And when he does, we'll make sure Father sees every second of it."

Marcus smirked. "Oh, he'll see. He'll have no choice but to admit I was right all along."

Inside the hall, rows of tables gleamed with documents, contracts, and glasses of water set with meticulous care. Officials in suits murmured among themselves, glancing occasionally at Cole. Whispers rippled through the room.

"That's the Mercedes son-in-law?"

"The useless one? Why would Harold send him?"

"Falcon Holdings must be desperate if they're backing him."

Cole heard every word, but his face remained unreadable. He chose a seat near the head of the table, directly opposite the lead negotiator, Councilman Everett.

Damien had already taken his place among the business representatives, his scar catching the light like a brand of menace. His smirk widened when he saw Cole sit down.

"Well, well," Damien drawled loud enough for several to hear. "The infamous Cole Ambers. I didn't expect Harold to send you. I suppose the family is running out of options."

Laughter followed. The officials chuckled politely, masks of civility hiding their interest in the unfolding drama.

Cole's lips curved slightly. "You'll find I'm full of surprises, Damien."

The meeting began.

Councilman Everett outlined the infrastructure project, highways, bridges, transit lines. Billions in contracts. "The city seeks reliable partners," he emphasized, "with the financial strength and credibility to see the project through."

Marcus leaned forward smoothly. "And of course, the Mercedes family intends to prove our worth." He gestured toward Cole. "We've entrusted our representation to Cole Ambers, who comes with Falcon Holdings' endorsement."

At that cue, Damien struck.He rose, a thick folder in hand. "Endorsement, you say? Then perhaps the council should examine these."

He handed the folder to Everett, who began flipping through the documents. His brows furrowed as he scanned the pages.

"These... are Falcon Holdings' contracts?" Everett asked slowly.

Damien nodded with feigned solemnity. "Signed, sealed, and witnessed. Or so Mr. Ambers would have you believe. But I took the liberty of verifying them."

A ripple of tension coursed through the room. Everett looked up sharply. "And?"

Damien's grin was razor-sharp. "Forgeries. Every signature, every seal is false. Falcon Holdings never authorized this man. He's a fraud, pretending to carry their backing. If you let him handle this project, you'll be entrusting the city's future to a liar."

Gasps spread. Murmurs rose like a storm.

Marcus feigned shock, pushing back his chair. "What?! Father entrusted you with this, Cole, and you dare?"

Vivienne hissed theatrically, "How disgraceful! You've dragged our family name through the mud!"

All eyes turned to Cole. Some were scornful, others curious, all expecting his collapse.

But Cole didn't flinch.He leaned back in his chair, studying Damien with calm disdain. "Is that your play, Damien? Forgeries and theatrics?"

Damien's smirk faltered for a heartbeat.

Cole rose, his movements deliberate, commanding attention. "Councilman Everett, gentlemen, ladies. These so called documents are indeed false."

A shocked silence filled the room. Marcus's grin widened in triumph until Cole continued.

"But the question you should be asking is, who brought them here?"

He turned toward Damien, his eyes cold as steel. "Who profits from making the Mercedes family look like liars? Who gains if Falcon Holdings' name is dragged through the mud?"

The officials shifted uneasily. Doubt rippled through them.

Cole placed his palms flat on the table, leaning forward. "I have no need to forge documents. Falcon Holdings' trust in me was made clear at the luncheon. Ask their representatives yourself. But Damien here..." His gaze hardened. "...is known for bribery, forgery, and manipulation. How convenient that he 'discovered' these false contracts,which only he had access to."

A murmur rose. Everett frowned, glancing between Damien and Cole.

Damien's jaw tightened. "You dare accuse me"

Cole cut him off sharply. "I don't accuse. I expose."

He reached into his own briefcase and withdrew a slim folder, sliding it across the table. "Inside are statements from Falcon executives. Signed yesterday. Verified by the notary office this morning. Unlike the garbage you presented, these are real. With numbers, names, and dates your forgeries can't match."

Everett opened the folder. His brows shot up as he read. The officials leaned in, murmuring in surprise.

Damien's face darkened. Marcus's smirk wavered.

Cole's voice cut through the tension, calm but commanding. "Gentlemen, Falcon Holdings backs me. That is fact. The rest is smoke Damien conjured to confuse you. And if Eastvale values integrity, it will not let a criminal dictate the future of its infrastructure."

The hall fell silent.

Then Everett spoke. His tone was cool, decisive. "We will review these documents. But for now, the council recognizes that Mr. Ambers' evidence holds weight. Damien Kross, unless you can disprove these signatures, your accusations stand as unsubstantiated."

Gasps erupted.

Damien's hand clenched into a fist beneath the table. His plan, so carefully laid, was slipping through his fingers.

Cole sat back down, serene as ever, as though he had merely swatted a fly.

The air inside the Grand Meridian felt heavier by the second. Councilman Everett's declaration had bought Cole a reprieve, but the storm was far from over.

Damien's lips peeled back in a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He leaned forward, voice dripping with false calm. "Documents can be forged. Signatures can be faked. But witnesses... witnesses speak truth."

He snapped his fingers.

Two men in tailored suits entered the hall. Their steps were confident, their expressions carefully neutral. They bowed slightly toward the council before taking the floor.

"This is Mr. Lang and Mr. Rourke," Damien said smoothly. "Both high-level coordinators at Falcon Holdings. They will confirm that Falcon never authorized Cole Ambers to represent them."

Gasps rippled across the room. Everett motioned for the men to proceed.

Lang spoke first, his tone firm. "I have worked at Falcon Holdings for fifteen years. To my knowledge, no such authorization was ever granted."

Rourke nodded. "Nor to mine. These claims of partnership are fabricated."

A low buzz spread across the hall. Marcus's eyes gleamed with triumph. Vivienne squeezed his arm, whispering, "It's over. He's finished."

Councilman Everett turned to Cole, his face troubled. "Mr. Ambers, this is serious. Two senior representatives discredit your claims. Do you have anything further to present?"

Dozens of eyes locked on Cole. Some were filled with pity, others with cold amusement. This was the moment Damien had orchestrated the hammer blow that would bury Cole beneath shame.

And yet... Cole only smiled.He rose slowly, his chair scraping lightly against the polished floor. His voice carried easily across the hall.

"Witnesses, is it? Men who swear loyalty to Falcon Holdings?"

His eyes sharpened like a blade. "Tell me, Mr. Lang, how fares your brother's case in the courts? Fraud, was it not? A twenty-million-dollar embezzlement?"

Lang stiffened, color draining from his face.

Cole turned his gaze to Rourke. "And you, Mr. Rourke. A man who owes the Eastvale Black Serpents nearly two hundred thousand. Gambling debts, wasn't it? I imagine they're impatient for payment."

A stunned silence fell.

Rourke's jaw clenched, his composure cracking. Lang's hands trembled at his sides.

Cole's tone remained calm, almost conversational. "Convenient, isn't it, that two men drowning in scandal suddenly appear here today... speaking Damien Kross's words as though they were their own?"

Gasps tore through the room. Murmurs rose, sharp and accusatory.

Everett's eyes narrowed. "Is this true?"

Neither Lang nor Rourke answered. Their silence screamed louder than words.

Cole pressed on. "Gentlemen, Falcon Holdings does not send men weighed down by criminal charges to speak in their name. They send their best, their cleanest. These are not witnesses, they are pawns."

He turned to Everett, his gaze steady. "If this council allows corruption to dictate its judgment, then Eastvale's future is already lost."

The room erupted. Some officials muttered angrily, demanding verification. Others glared at Damien, whispers of doubt spreading like wildfire.

Damien's mask cracked. Fury blazed in his eyes as he stood. "You think you can discredit me with slander?" he spat.

Cole met his rage with cold amusement. "Not slander. Facts. If you wish, I can provide court dockets and debt ledgers before this day ends."

Damien's fists clenched, his scar twitching as his composure frayed.Marcus seized his moment. He stood abruptly, his voice booming with righteous outrage.

"Enough of this farce!" he declared. "Father entrusted you, Cole, and look what you've done! You've dragged our name into chaos, humiliated us before the city's leaders. Whether Damien's witnesses are flawless or not, the fact remains that you gambled our reputation. Father, we cannot let this man stain us any longer!"

Gasps followed his words. Several officials nodded grimly. Some of the Mercedes elders, present as observers, shifted uneasily.

Vivienne added venom to the wound. "You've always been nothing, Cole. A burden, a stray clinging to Andriana's kindness. You dare to stand here and pretend to be more than you are? Shameful!"

The room tilted. For the first time, the tide seemed to sway against Cole. Everett's expression was troubled. The council's whispers carried doubt once more.

Andriana, sitting among the observers, rose to her feet. Her voice rang clear, sharper than expected.

"Stop!"

All eyes turned. Her cheeks burned, but her eyes blazed. "You all talk as if you know Cole. As if the rumors of his weakness, his silence, his supposed failures define him. But I have lived beside him. I have seen what none of you bothered to look for,his patience, his resolve, his strength. You dismiss him as nothing, yet when every hand turns against him, he stands unshaken. Tell me, who among you could do the same?"

Silence fell. Even Marcus faltered.

Andriana's voice softened, but carried even more weight. "You want to cast him out? Fine. But remember this day, the day you all witnessed a man stand alone against a hall of enemies and refuse to bow. Remember when you discover who he truly is."

Cole's eyes flickered, a rare warmth sparking within the cold steel.

Then he turned back to the council, his voice steady. "Councilman Everett. I came here not for myself, but for Eastvale's future. If you choose to trust lies and criminals, that is your burden. But know this." He leaned forward, his gaze cutting through the room. "I will not be broken. Not by Damien. Not by Marcus. Not by anyone."

The hall trembled with the weight of his words.

The hall trembled with unspoken tension. For a moment, it seemed the entire city held its breath. Cole stood tall in the storm of doubt, his voice still echoing in the marble chamber. Damien's jaw worked furiously, Marcus's confidence teetered, and the council shifted uneasily.

Then Damien snapped.

His fist slammed onto the table, rattling glasses. "Enough of this charade!" he roared. His scar twisted as his rage contorted his face. "You dare to humiliate me, Ambers? You dare to spit on my name before the council?"

Cole didn't flinch. He simply met Damien's fury with calm disdain. "If the truth humiliates you, Damien, then perhaps your name isn't worth much to begin with."

A ripple of shock swept the hall.

Damien's composure shattered. He shoved past his own men and advanced a step, his glare promising violence. "I should crush you where you stand."

Councilman Everett raised a sharp hand. "Mr. Kross! Control yourself. This is an official proceeding, not a back-alley brawl."

Damien halted, chest heaving, but his eyes burned with hatred.

Marcus seized the chaos, his voice sharp with false righteousness. "Do you see, Councilman? This entire fiasco is proof enough. Cole Ambers doesn't belong here. He doesn't belong in business, or in this family! Father, I beg you, cut him loose before his disgrace drags us all under!"

The elders murmured, some nodding, others unsure. Vivienne's eyes glittered with triumph, but Andriana's fists clenched at her sides.

Cole said nothing at first. He let the room boil, let Marcus's words fill the silence like poison. Then, when the tension was at its peak, he struck.

"Councilman Everett," Cole said evenly, "you've heard accusations. You've seen false witnesses. But let me ask you, who benefits if the Mercedes family falls today? Who gains if Falcon Holdings withdraws their trust from Eastvale?"

Everett frowned, thinking. "That would certainly create... openings."

Cole nodded, his gaze cutting toward Damien. "Openings that Damien Kross would eagerly exploit. But I anticipated this trick. Which is why I secured insurance."

He reached into his case again, drawing out a small recording device. With a click, Damien's own voice filled the chamber.

"... forged contracts, bribed inspectors, even false witnesses. By tomorrow, Cole Ambers will be a laughingstock."

The blood drained from Damien's face.

Gasps erupted. Officials turned to one another in shock. Marcus paled, his lips parting in disbelief.

Cole let the recording finish before turning the device off. His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of thunder. "Every trap leaves footprints. Damien's arrogance made sure of that. This isn't just about my name, it's about corruption trying to strangle this city from within."

Everett's face hardened. "Mr. Kross, these are damning words. Do you deny them?"

Damien's mouth opened, but no sound came. His fury strangled him, his lies exposed in front of all.

The officials erupted in furious whispers. Everett slammed his gavel against the table. "Order! The council will review this evidence, but as of this moment, Mr. Ambers' standing is affirmed. The Mercedes family will remain a candidate for the infrastructure project. Mr. Kross, until further notice, your participation is suspended pending investigation."

The hall exploded with voices.

Marcus stood frozen, his carefully laid plan collapsing around him. Vivienne grabbed his arm, but he couldn't tear his eyes from Cole.

Cole, meanwhile, sat back down with effortless calm, as though he had expected this outcome all along.

Andriana exhaled shakily, relief flooding her chest. For the first time, she saw not just her husband but the force that lived beneath his silence. A man who had walked into a trap and shattered it without breaking stride.

Harold, watching from the observer's seats, tapped his cane once. His lips curved into a small, knowing smile. So... the boy has teeth after all.

Damien stormed out of the chamber, his men scrambling after him. Outside, in the shadow of the hotel, his fury erupted. He smashed his fist into a wall, brick dust falling like ash.

"Ambers," he snarled, voice low and murderous. "You think you've won? No. You've only made me hate you more. I'll burn everything you care for. Piece by piece. And when I'm finished, you'll beg me for death."

His scar burned red beneath the streetlight, his vow seared into the night.

Inside, as the officials adjourned, Marcus tried to recover his dignity. He leaned toward Harold, desperation slipping into his voice. "Father, surely you see this man is dangerous. He humiliated us today, exposed us to ridicule."

Harold's gaze cut him off, sharp as a blade. "No, Marcus. He defended us when you could not. Remember that."

Marcus's breath caught. For the first time, doubt and fear slid into his chest.

Cole rose, adjusting his cuffs, his expression unreadable. But as he passed Marcus, he paused just long enough to whisper:

"Next time, aim higher."

Marcus stiffened, his blood running cold.That evening, back at the estate, Andriana found Cole in the garden once more, the moonlight tracing his sharp profile.

"You were brilliant today," she said softly.

Cole shook his head. "I was prepared. That's all. The real war hasn't begun."

Her chest tightened. "Then promise me one thing. Whatever storm is coming, don't fight it alone."

For a long moment, he was silent. Then he turned, eyes dark but steady. "I'll promise you this,no matter how dark it gets, I'll never stop fighting my way back to you."

Andriana's breath caught. She nodded, and for the first time, a fragile peace settled between them.

But in the shadows of Eastvale, enemies sharpened their blades.The storm was only beginning.