Chapter 25 The Trap Plan
Derek didn't answer right away, but carefully considered his options and finally nodded his head in agreement.
"Fine. If you guys help me stop Reena, then I'll sign the divorce papers. No conditions attached."
Eva looked at Adrian, who gave her a barely noticeable nod.
She turned back to Derek.
"Good, then we have a deal."
Three days had gone by since Derek made his unexpected proposal.
Those days were full of stressful conversations, careful planning, and sleepless nights.
Eva took the children and moved into her father's estate. She couldn't bear to stay another moment in the house she once shared with Derek.
Adrian set up security around the property. For the first time in years, Eva felt almost safe.
But that feeling of safety was only an illusion.
Reena was still out there, thinking of ways to ruin her. Until someone stopped her, Eva's life would stay stuck.
Tonight, they planned to change that.
That day, everyone gathered in Eva's father's study. Adrian stood by the window with his arms crossed, his face hard to read.
Daniel leaned against the bookshelf, looking over a floor plan of Reena's apartment building.
Leonard Gu sat in a leather armchair, going through legal documents.
And Derek, the man Eva never thought she'd willingly share a room with again, sat across from her looking pale and anxious.
"The files you want are in a hidden safe behind Reena's bedroom closet," Derek said, his voice strained. "I've seen her access it before. She thinks I don't know about it, but I watched her one night when she thought I was asleep."
"What's in the safe?" Daniel asked.
"Everything." Derek ran a hand through his messy hair. "Financial records. Recordings of conversations. Photographs. Proof of every crime she's done and every crime she's helped others do. She's been collecting things to blackmail people for years, including politicians, businesspeople, and anyone who might be useful to her."
"And you?" Eva's voice was cold. "You said there was evidence against you in that safe. What exactly is it?"
Derek flinched but didn't look away. "Yes. I know she has evidence about me because she let it slip by accident and thought I didn't notice. But I don't know exactly what she has. While we were arguing, she just said, 'If you don't do as I say, I'll completely destroy you, Derek.' Based on that, it's probably enough to send me to jail."
"Then why are you helping us?" Adrian spoke for the first time, his tone dangerous. "You know, you can steal all the data Reena has on you and destroy it. Act like you have no idea about the evidence she gathered and stay with her to plot against Eva. What's stopping you?"
"Because Reena will kill me first." Derek's voice shook with real fear. "You don't understand. She's not just mean; she's unstable."
Derek's eyes grew distant as he remembered something. "Last year, she caught her assistant leaking information, and she didn't just fire him. She trapped him in the garage, broke his phone, and scared his family until he left the city overnight."
He shuddered. "When she finds out I've betrayed her, she won't just ruin me in court. She'll destroy me completely."
Silence fell over the room.
Eva looked at her soon-to-be ex-husband, the man who had made her life miserable for seven years. She had imagined his downfall many times. But seeing him now, a trembling coward begging for help, she felt nothing.
No satisfaction. No pity. Nothing.
"The security in Reena's building is strict," Adrian said, bringing the conversation back to the plan. "There are security cameras in every hallway. And a doorman who keeps records of all visitors, and two private guards on her floor."
"With so much security, can your people handle it?" Daniel asked.
"They can." Adrian glanced at Eva. "But there's a problem. Reena knows what I look like. She knows Daniel and Leonard from family events, too. If any of us go near that building, she'll know right away."
"So we need someone she won't recognize," Leonard said slowly.
"Or someone she won't suspect." Adrian kept his eyes on Eva.
Eva's heart skipped a beat. "You want me to go in."
"No." Adrian's voice sharpened. "Absolutely not."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
Adrian let out a slow breath, frustration showing on his face. "Because Derek suggested it. And as much as I hate to admit it, his logic makes sense."
All eyes turned to Derek.
"Reena won't expect Eva to come to her," Derek said, sounding unsure. "She thinks Eva is weak, the type who hides behind her family instead of acting. If Eva shows up, Reena will think she's there to beg or to negotiate."
"And while Reena is distracted by Eva..." Daniel connected the dots. "Someone else can access the safe."
"Exactly."
Eva's thoughts raced. The plan was risky, maybe even reckless, but it made a strange kind of sense. Reena had always underestimated her and treated her like a tool to be used and thrown away.
Maybe it was time to turn that underestimation against her.
"I'll do it," Eva said quietly.
"Eva—" Adrian started.
"I said I'll do it." She met his gaze steadily. "This is my fight, Adrian. My life. My children's future. I won't hide behind others while everyone else takes the risks."
Adrian's jaw tightened. He was silent for a long moment, just staring at her with those intense dark eyes, as if looking for a reason that might change her mind.
Finally, he spoke.
"Then I'm going with you."
"Adrian, Reena will recognize—"
"I won't go inside." His voice was steady. "But I'll be in the building, close enough to help if anything goes wrong. I'll watch the lobby cameras and stay in contact with you by radio."
Adrian explained, "If anything doesn't go as planned, I'll call for help or create a distraction so you have time to get out." His eyes softened a little. "I won't lose you again, Eva. Not when I just got you back."
Eva's throat tightened.
She wanted to argue and say she could handle this on her own. But the truth was, she didn't want to face Reena by herself.
The thought of walking into that woman's den, surrounded by evidence of years of manipulation and hatred, made her stomach churn.
Having Adrian close by wouldn't make her weak.
It would give her the courage to be strong.
"Okay," she whispered.
Adrian nodded once, something like relief flickering in his eyes.
"Then we move tonight."