Chapter 40: An Unexpected Revelation

As Scarlett leaned against the chilly wooden door, the faint echo of voices from Wyatt's office resounding in the stillness of the corridor stopped her breath. Though she hadn't meant to listen in, the conversation drew her in like a magnet. Her heart accelerated and her curiosity burned more brilliantly than her dread of discovery with every word that leaked through the door. This wasn't only a chat. That was the exchange. The one able to undo all. "I'm telling you, Gabrielle," Wyatt's distinctly icy voice bore weight of authority. "She cannot stand in the path. This is the last turn. The words set Scarlett's spine on edge.

The last step? What was he meant to say? Then Gabrielle's voice trailed, cut off and impersonal. "We have to deal with Tucker, and Scarlet causes diversion. She is getting in the way. Now is the moment to remove the threat. Her pulse throbbing in her ears, Scarlet's hands clenched on the doorframe. A cold passed through her as the significance of those terms becoming obvious. Release the threat? Was it hers? Was that how Wyatt perceived her? Her inability to understand it astounded her. But right now, it seemed indisputable. Plotting something much worse than she had ever dreamed, Wyatt and Gabrielle were Her body stayed still as every instinct shouted at her to flee and hide. She needed more listening. The parts were at last beginning to fit together, and she could not afford to go now. "I'll look at it," Gabrielle said, her voice now low, almost begging. "We have come far already." She cannot cause everything to fall apart. Wyatt, however... How about Tucker? Still, he is a loose end. Wyatt said quietly, his voice heavy with annoyance.

Tucker is really only a pawn. He is frailty. Like I have always done, I will manage him. But Scarlet... " His voice dropped off as though he was carefully choosing his next words. "She's dangerous right now." She needs to know her place. I have to be sure. Heart throbbing in her chest, Scarlet's breath stopped as she gently turned away from the door. She let a thousand ideas collide in her head. Plans were what they were thinking about? If she was indeed only a pawn in Wyatt's game, then how much risk was she actually running? Her hands shook as she battled to keep herself steady; her knees felt wobbly as she turned and headed down the corridor. She couldn't let this pass. She could not let whatever this was allow Wyatt and Gabrielle to get away.

She would, however, be needing assistance. She could not pull him down by herself. What she had just heard shocked Scarlet not readily calmed down in her head. She knew she had to move quickly as the weight of that talk still pressed against her chest. Who could she, though, rely on? Her head turned right away to Bernard. Since childhood, he had been her closest confidante; if someone could assist her negotiate the perilous waters ahead, it was him. Bernard was seated at his regular table at the rear of the café, his eyes already darting the space as though he expected her. His brow wrinkled with concern as he beckoned for her to sit, then noticed her current situation. He whispered gently, "Scarlet," putting aside his coffee and leaning forward. "What is happening?" She breathed deeply, then looked about the room before speaking. Nobody she could afford overhearing this. Her voice low, she started, "I overheard something I shouldn't have." "Wyatt and Gabrielle; Plotting behind the scenes, they have been. It transcends the business as well. It is about me. Regarding Tucker. They are scheduled to bring us down. As Bernard told him everything she had heard, her tone deteriorated.

His jaw locked as his fingers tightened around his coffee cup. "I thought as much," he said quietly. Though I felt something wasn't right, I had no idea they were going this far. Scarlet got shivers running through her. Bernard, they are leveraging me here. From the beginning, they have been underying me. I have no idea how I might stop it. Bernard leaned back in his chair, eyes far away, exhaled gently. You cannot readily beat Wyatt as a man. Five steps ahead, Scarlet, he is always I have seen it before, and believe me, it goes beyond business. Personal with him. Her heart dropped. "What then do you mean?" Bernard looked at her, full of secret regret. "I spent time with Scarlett, Wyatt. I have helped him cover things up before events you are not even aware of. But that was not a decision taken on will. Back then, I lacked any authority. Now, however, " His speech faded as his fingers tapped on the table; his thoughts clearly was in flux. "You were complicit?." The voice of Scarlet shook with incredulity. "how could you?" Bernard said fast, his voice becoming more urgent: "I had no option." But now that you are in this, I will not allow him harm you. I will assist in pulling him down.

We have to travel back in his life. Wyatt has certain secrets that nobody else knows, something that might turn around everything. Scarlet fixed him while her mind ran wild. "How are you aware of this? "I have been researching him for years," Bernard said, his face hardening. "I watched, but until recently I lacked the bravery to act. But right now I am ready. I promise you we can find the truth. Scar hesitated momentarily. She wanted to believe him, but her heart twisted with uncertainty at his former relationship with Wyatt. But you lived in his world. How can I be sure you won't flip back? Bernard's look softened, and he stretched across the table, his hand hovering only inches from hers. "Because I cannot live with myself if I do not correct things. not alongside you. Not in line with truth. Scarlet bit hard, the weight of the circumstances setting in. "then let's get right on it. Allow us to bring him down. Bernard nodded, the resolve hardening his features. "We share this. But ready, Scarlet? Wyatt won't let go without struggle.

Scarlet looked at him, her own will strengthening. I am ready. Everything around Bernard and Scar started to feel like a game one they did not completely grasp as they formulated their plans. They could only play, though, and explore Wyatt's background to reveal the horror he had concealed. They began by compiling every piece of evidence, every document they could locate connecting Wyatt to past money transactions, legal records, even historical dialogues that could at last solve the puzzle of what Wyatt had done to her family. Days melted together as they worked, but with every stride Scar felt the weight of the circumstances pressing on further. She had no means to afford blunders. And the more perilous it grew the closer they got. One thing, though, she couldn't get rid of the way Bernard had stared at her when they agreed to fight together. It transcended the struggle now to include more. It wasn't simply about revealing Wyatt's transgressions. There was something more, something deeper, and it made her question whether Bernard's affections for her stretched beyond than she had ever known. She sought to discount the idea. She was not able to afford diversion. She could yet sense the flame between them every time their hands touched or their eyes locked. She couldn't fix on it right now though. Not at a time when everything was precariously balanced.