Chapter 30 30. It's Strategy: He Knows
"Aren't you going to congratulate me?"
The soft pad of his finger lingered on my jaw.
His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was something off about his warmth. Too measured. Like he was studying how close he could get before I broke.
"You made quite a performance out there." My voice came out breathier than I wanted.
His lips curved. "It's strategy. Something you understand, don't you?"
The words landed heavy. My chest tightened.
He knows. Had I left traces?
His gaze studied mine like he was reading a book written in my expressions.
I needed to talk, to throw something sharp back at him, but when I opened my mouth, nothing came out. His smile barely deepened, as if he'd already gotten the answer he wanted.
I shoved at his chest like an ant trying to move a mountain. He didn't budge.
"How did you do it?" The question burst out. "And where did you get that kind of money in six days?"
He stepped back slightly, loosening his tie. "I called in Lucas' favor."
"He gave you all that money?"
"Not exactly." He moved toward his desk. "His investment fund held five percent of the shares I acquired. He gave me proxy voting rights for the full fifteen."
"So you don't actually own all of it."
"I control it. That's what matters." His tone stayed detached. "In six months, I'll buy out his portion. But for now, fifty-five percent voting control is mine."
I folded my arms. "And the leaked documents? You just pinned everything on Dr. Eleanor."
"I struck a deal with her."
"A deal."
"She takes the fall. In exchange, she gets what she always wanted; to disappear. A hundred and fifty million, one million per month for life, plus a quiet life somewhere far away."
"You paid her off," I whispered.
"I gave her an exit," he corrected.
My blood went cold. "You must have dirt on her," I shot back. "Something bad enough to force her into this."
His gaze flickered, something hurt, but it vanished too fast to be sure.
"I know you don't trust me, Camila," he said softly. "But some people prefer money to a good name. She wanted out. I gave her that option."
"You're lying."
"I'm not. She leaked those files hoping for a payout. When the scandal hit, she contacted me directly with her terms. I negotiated. We reached an agreement. That's all."
My mind spun. Dr. Eleanor leaked the files?
But that was impossible-unless she was lying to Lucien about being the source. Or Lucien was lying to me about her confession.
Either way, the ground under me shifted.
"You covered your mess with cash and contracts," I said. "You think that makes you clean?"
"It makes me in control."
"You're still the same monster who doesn't care about people."
"Calm down, Fiera."
The stupid nickname slid through me like a memory I didn't want.
"Don't call me that," I snapped. "Don't ever call me that again."
I spun toward the door. My hands shook as I grabbed the handle.
"Camila."
I didn't look back. I walked fast, heels echoing on the floor, heart pounding in my throat. I didn't stop until the elevator doors closed in front of me.
First, I pulled out my phone and hit airplane mode so fast I almost dropped it.
All I could think about was how I'd just handed Lucien his crown back on a silver platter.
\---
I locked my apartment door behind me, crawled under the blanket, and pretended that hiding could undo everything.
Hours passed before I heard the front door open.
"Maya." I threw off the covers and ran out. "Thank God you're here. Please-don't open the door for anyone today, okay?"
She stared at me, silent, then turned and walked to her room without a word.
At least she was home. Even if she was distant, I wasn't alone.
By nine p.m., I'd calmed enough to eat a bowl of cereal, until the doorbell started ringing. Fast and insistent. Then came the angry pounding.
My spoon clattered.
Maya's door opened. She walked out, heading straight for the front door.
"Maya!" I called, backing away. "Don't-"
But she didn't.
"Maya, stop!"
She looked back once, smirked, and opened it.
Ronan shoved past her and stormed inside.
I ran straight to my room, slammed the door, and locked it. My hands shook as I fumbled with my phone, switching off airplane mode.
The first person I thought to call was Lucien.
Ronan's fists pounded against the wood. "Open this door, Camila!"
The phone rang once... twice...
"Come on, pick up," I whispered.
Lucien's voicemail clicked on.
"Damn it." I hung up and dialed 911.
The door burst open before the call connected. The lock gave way, splintering off.
Ronan stood there with two men behind him, chest heaving, eyes black with rage.
I scrambled backward on the bed, but he was faster. He grabbed my ankle, yanked me forward, and his hand cracked across my face.
Pain exploded through my cheek as I collapsed onto the bed.
"Get up!" He hauled me upright by the collar. His breath hit my skin. "Tell me why you were running if you weren't the one responsible for that leak!"
"Maya!" I screamed. "Help!"
No one came.
"Answer me!" he shouted.
"Let me go, you lying bastard!" My voice broke. "You told me you wanted justice, to find your missing girl, but it's all a lie! You're just jealous of Lucien! You're doing this because you're a failure!"
His hand rose again.
"What did you just call me?"
"Lucien's on his way here!" The lie burst out. "You better leave, or when he finds you, everything we built these last four months is over!"
He froze midair, jaw working. Then he threw me to the floor.
"Be at my mansion tomorrow evening for your full punishment." His voice was steady now, which somehow terrified me more than the shouting. "Don't make me come looking for you."
He turned and left with his goons.
I lay on the floor, shaking. My face throbbed. My body hurt in places I didn't even understand.
After a while, I crawled out into the living room.
Maya sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone like she hadn't heard a thing.
"How could you?" My voice cracked. "You let him in. You heard me screaming and you did nothing!"
She didn't even look up.
"I hate you," I choked out. "You're not my friend. You never were."
I stumbled back into my room, grabbed my phone and the only cap I owned-a bright pink one that clashed with everything-and ran.
Down the stairs, through the lobby, into the cold night air. My tears blurred everything, but I didn't stop.
I hit something solid. Strong hands caught me before I could fall, and a cedar scent filled my nostrils. I didn't need to look up to know who it was.
"Just the lady I was looking for," Lucien said, voice softer than it should've been. "Come here."
He took my hand and led me to his car parked at the curb. Opened the passenger door and waited until I got in.
I wiped away some stray tears just before Lucien slid into the driver's seat.
"Guess where we're headed?" he asked, starting the engine.
"An ice cream shop?" My voice came out weak and small.
"Huh?" The car slowed. I felt his heavy gaze on me, but my head stayed down, hidden under the ridiculous pink cap.
"So... not ice cream."
"Would you like some?" he asked quietly.
I nodded, still not looking at him.
"Then we'll get ice cream first," he said, voice gentle but controlled. "And after that, you'll tell me what happened."
I finally raised my head, looking at his side profile as he drove.
Tears welled up again.
I tried to sniffle quietly, turning my face toward the window, but I was thrown forward against the seatbelt from the impact of a car slamming into us...