Chapter 40 Elizabeth's Gambit

Chapter 40 Elizabeth's Gambit


POV: Elizabeth

I woke to find Royce’s note on the coffee table.

Emergency board meeting. Back soon. Stay with Jade.

But I couldn’t just sit and wait while Helen Morrison destroyed everything we cared about. The video of someone threatening Jessica had pushed me past fear into something sharper. Determination.

I had a plan. A risky, probably stupid plan. But it was the only card I had left to play.

“Jade,” I called out, forcing my voice to sound casual. “I need to use the bathroom.”

She nodded from her position by the window. “I’ll check it first.”

While she swept the bathroom, I pulled out my phone and composed a text to Helen’s number—saved from the contract she’d once handed us like a gift wrapped in poison.

You win. I’ll leave Royce. But I need proof Jessica will be protected first. Meet me today. Alone.

I hit send before I could second-guess myself.

The response came within thirty seconds.

Smart girl. My office. 2 PM. Come alone or the deal is off.

I had four hours.

With the water running to mask my voice, I called Marcus from the bathroom. “I need your help,” I whispered. “And you can’t tell Royce.”

“What are you planning, Liz?”

“I’m going to meet Helen. Get her to confess everything on tape. We need evidence we can actually use.”

“That’s insane. She’ll never fall for it.”

“She will if she thinks she’s won,” I said. “If she thinks I’m broken and desperate.” I checked my watch. “Can you get me a wire? Something small that won’t be obvious?”

Marcus was silent for a long moment. “I can get you one. But Liz, if this goes wrong—”

“It won’t. I’ll be careful.” I hesitated. “Marcus… this is the third option you mentioned. The way to save everyone. I have to try.”

“Royce is going to kill me when he finds out I helped you.”

“Only if we survive long enough for him to find out.” I swallowed. “Can you meet me in an hour? Away from the penthouse?”

“There’s a coffee shop on Fifth and Madison. I’ll be there.”

Convincing Jade to let me leave was harder.

“Mr. Sterling gave explicit instructions that you remain here,” she said firmly.

“And I will,” I replied smoothly. “After I pick up some clothes from my apartment. I can’t live in the same outfit forever.” I forced a smile. “You can come with me. We’ll be in and out in twenty minutes.”

She studied me, suspicion etched into her face, but finally nodded. “Fine. But we take the secure vehicle, and you don’t leave my sight.”

Perfect. That gave me exactly the cover I needed.

At the coffee shop, I convinced Jade to wait in the car while I grabbed drinks for all of us. The moment I stepped inside, I spotted Marcus in a back-corner booth.

“You have five minutes before your bodyguard comes looking,” he said, sliding a tiny device across the table. “Wireless mic. Clips inside your bra. Transmits to my laptop within a two-mile radius. I’ll be recording everything.”

I palmed the device and slipped it into my pocket. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Helen’s smart, Liz. She might check you for wires.”

“Then I’ll make sure she doesn’t.” I stood. “If this works, we’ll have everything we need to destroy her.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

I met his eyes. “Then make sure Royce knows I love him. And that this was my choice.”

Back at the penthouse, I told Jade I needed a nap after the stressful morning. She reluctantly gave me privacy in Royce’s bedroom.

I attached the wire exactly as Marcus had instructed, whispering a count to three as I tested it. My phone buzzed—confirmation. He had my signal.

At 1:30, I emerged and told Jade I needed to visit my parents to update them on Jessica’s condition.

“Mr. Sterling said you should stay here.”

“Mr. Sterling isn’t my keeper,” I snapped. “My parents are terrified, and I need to see them. You can come with me.” I grabbed my purse. “Unless you plan to physically restrain me?”

Her jaw tightened, but she followed me to the car.

I had her drop me at my parents’ house, promising I’d be safe inside. The moment Jade’s vehicle pulled away to circle the block, I slipped out the back door and flagged down a taxi.

Morrison Industries headquarters rose like a monument of steel and glass. Helen’s kingdom.

I walked through the lobby with my head high, masking the terror clawing at my chest.

“Elizabeth Wakefield to see Helen Morrison,” I told the receptionist. “She’s expecting me.”

Five minutes later, I was escorted to the top floor.

Helen’s office was vast—floor-to-ceiling windows, modern art, power in every polished surface. She sat behind a massive desk, every inch the untouchable CEO.

“Elizabeth,” she said coolly. “I’m impressed. I didn’t think you’d have the courage to come.” She gestured to the chair. “Please. Sit.”

I did, my heart hammering. The wire felt like it was burning into my skin.

“You said you’d protect Jessica if I left Royce,” I said. “I need proof.”

“Straight to business.” Helen smiled. “I respect that.”

She slid a folder across the desk. “A protection contract. I have associates in the prison system. Jessica will be safe. No more threats. No more attacks.”

“And Sterling Corp?” I asked.

“Oh, darling.” She leaned back. “I’m still taking it. But without you, Royce will be much easier to manage.”

“You want to own him.”

“I want what’s mine,” she said calmly. “Royce and I could have ruled the world together—if he hadn’t clung to his precious ethics. I’ll bankrupt his company piece by piece. Then I’ll offer to save him.” Her eyes gleamed. “He’ll work for me. Know that I won.”

“That’s not love,” I whispered.

“It’s the closest thing to it that I’m capable of.”

She admitted everything. Jessica’s attack. The takeover. Her obsession. All of it—on tape.

“What happens now?” I asked, standing.

She reached for another document. “You sign this. You leave Royce. No contact. No looking back.”

Before I could answer, her assistant Patricia entered and whispered in her ear.

Helen’s expression hardened.

“How interesting,” she said softly.

She crossed the room in seconds, grabbing my jacket and ripping it open. Buttons scattered across the carpet.

Her fingers found the wire.

“You stupid girl,” she hissed, tearing it free and crushing it beneath her heel. “Did you really think I wouldn’t check?”

Fear flooded me.

“You came here to trap me,” she continued coldly. “And now you’ve given me permission to finish what I started.”

Two armed guards appeared at the door.

“Take Miss Wakefield to the basement,” Helen said. “Make sure she understands the consequences of crossing me.”

As they dragged me away, she smiled
.

“No one is coming to save you, Elizabeth,” she said softly. “You’re completely alone.”

And as the door closed behind me, I knew she was right.