Chapter 81

Bianca’s POV

The photographs in my hand felt heavier than paper should.

I stared at them again, my eyes scanning the image of Elena's lips pressed against his...

Leo Carter.

They weren't just partners, they were a couple all this whole time.

The air in Esther’s office turned to ice, as the silence stretched on.

My throat went dry. “Leo Carter?” I finally said, my voice barely holding together. “That’s… Damien’s right-hand man.”

Esther nodded slowly, her gaze sharp but cautious. “I know.”

I set the pictures down on the desk, rubbing my temples. “How could he…?”

She leaned forward. “We don’t know for sure, mind you too.

But that’s what my team picked up. My men were closely monitoring Elena last night when they picked up these images of Leo.”

I looked up at her, my eyes wide. “You’re saying he’s the partner because he went to see her?”

“Basically yes, but..” Esther said softly, “it all makes sense if you think about it.”

I froze for a beat, my mind trying to place all the pieces together.

Leo was one of the few who knew I was hiding at my father's mansion that night because he drove me there.

He also must have access to Damien’s internal files, and maybe info about our full relationship.

I sank into the chair, whispering, “He could’ve ratted me out.

That’s how Elena knew where I was. He’s been feeding her information from the inside this whole time.”

Esther folded her arms. “Exactly.”

The silence that followed was deafening. I stared at the folder on the desk, trying to steady my thoughts.

Finally, I looked up at her again. “I have to tell Damien. He’ll know how to handle this.”

Before she could answer, a loud horn blared from outside the building.

Esther walked to the window and looked down. “Speaking of Damien… I think that’s your ride.”

I stood up at once, gathering the photographs and sliding them carefully back into the folder.

“Esther,” I said softly, “I can’t thank you enough. For your help, for… everything you’ve done.”

She smiled faintly. “Just make sure it ends here, Bianca. Don’t let it consume you like it did your father.”

I swallowed hard. “In case we don’t meet again after all this… just know I disappeared to start over, just like you advised and like how my father would’ve wanted.”

Her expression softened. “He’d be proud of you.”

I nodded once, tugging a warm smile and then turned toward the door.

The cold night air hit me, the moment I felt the bank.

Outside, a black car waited by the curb.

The driver stepped forward and opened the door with a polite nod.

I climbed in silently, still holding the folder to my chest.

The second I was back, I was going to show this to Damein.

Leo Carter. Damien’s most loyal and trustworthy man, according to Damein that is.

What if this was bigger than Leo and Elena all along?

What if Damein was in this all along and I was just to pawn to them?

I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm myself down.

“You’re overthinking,” I whispered to myself. “Just get to Damien. Tell him what you saw. Let him decide what comes next.”

The car slowed, pulling up in front of the mansion’s gates.

I was back here… I never thought I'd be this relieved to see this mansion again.

When the car stopped, the driver stepped out again and opened the door. “We’ve arrived, Miss Calloway.”

I nodded in thanks and stepped out.

I gripped the folder tighter and walked up the steps. Through the glass windows, I saw Damien in the living room, sitting with his back half turned.

Good, he’s alone, I thought. I can tell him before it’s too late.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my heels clicking against the marble floor. “Damien, I—”

The words froze in my throat.

Sitting across from him on the couch, relaxed and utterly composed, was Leo Carter himself.

He had a glass of whiskey in hand and one leg crossed over the other, his expression unreadable.

My pulse spiked instantly.

Damien turned his head toward me with a faint smile. “Bianca, you’re back.”

I swallowed, forcing my face to stay neutral. My gaze flicked to Leo, who met my stare head on.

“I… I wanted to talk to you,” I managed to say.

Damien glanced at Leo briefly, then back at me. “I’m a little busy right now, but Martha’s set some clothes out for you. You should freshen up.”

He turned back to his drink.

My lips parted, but no words came out. I just stood there, still staring at Leo.

Then, his eyes lifted slightly, locking mine across the room.

Then, pulled away. “Right. I’ll… do that.”

I turned slowly, walking toward the hallway.

Martha was already waiting near the stairs, holding a folded towel and a soft smile.

“Welcome back, ma’am,” she said gently.

“Thanks, Martha,” I replied, though the word felt empty.

Leo Carter was in this house.

The mole himself was sitting a few feet away from Damien, smiling, pretending to be one of us.

As soon as I reached my room, I closed the door and locked it behind me. My legs felt weak, so I sank onto the bed, staring blankly at the wall.

“He’s right here,” I whispered. “The traitor is right here.”

My stomach twisted. What if he knew? What if Esther’s team was seen? What if Elena had already warned him that I had the photos?

I stood up abruptly, pacing the room.

“I have to tell Damien,” I muttered. “I have to.”

But my voice cracked halfway through the sentence.

What if Leo had already gotten to him?

What if Damien was in on it now?

A sudden sound broke through my spiral, the faint, deliberate thud of footsteps in the hallway.

My breath caught.

They were slow and steady, but coming closer.

I froze, every nerve alert. My eyes darted to the door. The footsteps stopped right outside.

My throat tightened as the handle turned.

It creaked open slowly, a figure standing there.

I didn’t need to see his face to know who it was.

Leo Carter.

He leaned against the doorframe casually, hands in his pockets, that same unreadable calm on his face.

Then, with a faint, almost friendly smile, he broke it.

“Hey, Bianca…”