Chapter 111
111
~Elara’s POV
For a moment, I just stood there, looking at this small office, this man who risked everything because someone dangled hope like bait. A part of me understood desperation. Another part of me hated how often people used it as an excuse to hurt others.
“You start,” I said, handing his phone back, “by preparing every record of your conversations with them. Every transfer. Every screenshot. I want everything p>
He nodded, voice breaking. “I will. I swear it p>
When Janae and I stepped out of the old man’s company, the air outside felt heavy. It was like the world was still moving normally, but inside me, something had shifted. I was angry, and I was tired of pretending that I was not allowed to fight back. We walked to the car quietly, because sometimes silence speaks louder than anything else.
Inside the car, I leaned back and closed my eyes for a moment. My heartbeat felt loud in my ears. I took the number from the old man’s phone before returning it and forwarded it to Darlon. My fingers trembled slightly, even though I told myself I was calm.
I typed a message.
“Please help me trace this number. I need to know who did this p>
I sent it, and as soon as the message went, I felt something tighten in my chest. Maybe it was anxiety. Maybe it was hope. I was not sure anymore.
Janae looked at me.
“What do you think will happen p>
I breathed slowly, watching the road pass through the car window.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But someone is going to regret stealing from me p>
When we reached the company, we both walked straight into the building without speaking, because talking felt like it would break the little patience I had left. Our workers stood to greet us, but I barely heard them. It was like I was walking with so many thoughts in my mind that there was no room for anything else.
We reached my office and sat. Janae stayed close, maybe because she knew I needed someone nearby. Maybe because she was scared of what would happen next. I did not blame her. I was scared too in a way that was not fear, but expectation. Like standing before a storm you know is coming.
I whispered, almost to myself.
“Please. Let this end well… please let there be a way forward p>
I did not know if I was praying or begging.
My phone buzzed sharply, and I jumped a little. I saw Darlon’s name on the screen and answered immediately.
His voice came through, calm but serious.
“My love, I traced the number p>
My grip tightened on the phone.
“Who is it p>
There was a pause, like he wanted to choose his words carefully.
“It belongs to someone named Linda p>
My body went cold as if the ground fell away under my feet. Linda. The head of the design team. The woman I trusted with everything we created. The one who stood beside me when I sketched new ideas. The one who clapped at presentations. The one who acted as if she cared.
My voice came out small.
“Linda. Are you sure p>
“Yes,” he replied. “Do you know her p>
“I know her,” I whispered. “I will talk to her. I will handle it. Thank you, Darlon p>
“I trust you,” he said softly. “Take care of yourself. And remember I love you p>
“I love you too,” I breathed, and ended the call.
I sat there, holding the phone that suddenly felt too heavy. My throat felt tight. My heart felt tired. Janae’s eyes searched my face like she was waiting for permission to ask.
“Well?” she asked quietly.
I swallowed.
“The number belongs to Linda p>
Shock spread across her face like a crack in glass.
“Linda? She has been with us since the beginning. Why would she p>
“That is what I want to find out,” I said, standing.
I did not wait to calm down. I did not wait to think. I walked out of the office with Janae behind me, each step filled with something sharp, something burning. When we reached Linda’s office, her door was open.
She was already packing her things. Papers, personal items, a framed photograph, everything thrown into a box like she was running from a fire. Maybe she was.
I stood in the doorway and watched her.
“You should have charged more,” I said, my voice low. “Two billion was too cheap. That design was worth so much more than that p>
Linda froze. She turned slowly, her face pale and her hands trembling. When she saw me, her knees gave out, and she dropped, kneeling on the floor.
“Luna Elara, please,” she begged. “I can explain p>
I walked in, not bothering to hide the disappointment on my face.
“You leaked my work,” I said. “You sold what I created. You almost destroyed the company that feeds every person in this building p>
“I didn’t mean to,” she cried. “It was never my intention p>
I moved closer, and before I could stop myself, my palm connected with her cheek. The sound echoed. Janae gasped softly, but she did not stop me. I had never hit anyone before, but that moment did not feel like violence. It felt like waking myself up from everything I had been forced to swallow.
“You hated me from the start, didn’t you?” I said. “That still doesn’t justify trying to ruin everything I built p>
Linda’s tears rushed faster.
“I didn’t hate you. I was jealous, but not enough to destroy the company. I swear I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I was threatened p>
“By who?” My voice cracked with anger. “Who threatened you p>
She hesitated, eyes dropping to the floor, hands shaking like she was afraid to speak.
“Linda,” I warned, “look at me and speak p>
She forced herself to look up.
“It was Lira p>
Everything in the room stopped. Janae froze. My breath left my body as if someone punched it out of me. Hearing that name in this moment felt like a blade pressed against my skin.
“Lira threatened you?” I said slowly.
“She said if I didn’t help her get back what she believed was hers, she would destroy me, and that is because she had a video of me having sex with Ronan.” Linda cried. “She said she would take everything from me. She said you did not deserve success. She said you took her place p>
I closed my eyes because the anger felt too big. It pressed against my ribs, my throat, my teeth.
“You had sex with Ronan?!” Janae and I asked in unison.