Chapter24

The Unexpected Ally

It never occurred to me that I would be even slightly doubtful about Jack's culpability. The evidence had been overwhelming, including documents linking him to my father's financial collapse, his cold-blooded machinations, and the indisputable power struggles that had forced me into this tight spot. Suddenly, though, my entire understanding of the situation began to shift as Charlotte stepped in front of me, her face hard with urgency.

She called me "Amelia," and her voice was clear and full of vitality that caused my skin to prickle. "You need to listen to what I'm saying. I've learned something that will have an effect on everything.

I sat on the edge of the armchair in my apartment, clutching the armrest firmly, as though letting go would send me into a tailspin. What you are talking about is not obvious.

Charlotte stopped talking and looked at me, her eyes blazing a sharp, critical look. From her suitcase, she took out a document, which she placed on the coffee table between us. The documents inside bore a striking resemblance to others I had discovered in Jack's office: icy, clinical business transactions, marginalized numbers, and signatures that sealed fate. I found something strange, though, when I turned through them.

With my heart racing, I whispered, "This isn't Jack's handwriting." "This—"

"Belongs to Victor." Sitting across from me, Charlotte finished for me. "From the shadows, Victor Lancaster has been planning everything." The legal battles, hostile takeovers, and investments that destroyed your father's business. Victor was the genius, though Jack might have contributed.

My fingers clenched around the pages as I gulped forcefully. "That isn't rational. Jack acknowledged—

She stepped forward and interjected, saying, "Jack admitted what he wanted you to believe." "Consider it. He told you he was going to hurt your family. However, what if he stated that to keep you safe? To prevent you from looking into Victor's involvement further?”

With my head whirling, I shook my head. Jack had been disagreeable, unyielding, and even vicious. Was it all an act, though? A misunderstanding?

Charlotte gestured toward one of the papers. Examine the dates. A few of these transactions took place *before* Jack was able to make them before his father's enterprise was under his hands. That implies that someone else was in charge.

Victor.

My blood froze as I became more conscious. It had been Victor who had gone to my father's gatherings, shook hands, and made promises that seemed too good to be true. He had been there all along, watching, waiting.

"I don't get it," I said. "Why would Jack accept responsibility?"

With a sigh, Charlotte combed through her hair. That's what I don't yet know. However, I am aware that Victor is the real adversary. Additionally, he continues to play the game.

A chill went through my body. What was stopping Victor from ruining me the way he had gone to such lengths to destroy my father? To Jack?

Charlotte's gaze clouded as though she could read my thoughts. "We must exercise caution. Victor poses a risk. He has already shown that he is limitless.

My heart dropped into my ribs. Under me, everything I believed to be true was falling apart. What would I have done if Jack hadn't been the ultimate villain in this situation? Had he been protecting me from the true peril all along, and I had chased him away because I believed he was the enemy?

Charlotte and I both jumped when there was a sudden pounding at the door. After staring at her for a minute, I got up and paused. I groped for the handle with shaking hands, fear and excitement fighting inside of me.

I opened the door slowly.

Jack was standing on the threshold.

His eyes were burning with something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but his manner was impenetrable. He moved forward, and for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, I wasn't sure if I should let him in or shrink away.

I barely noticed Charlotte stiffen behind me. Jack's eyes shifted to the papers in my hand, and I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. His jaw tightened, his lips slightly parted.

"You located it."

I took a deep breath. "What kept you from telling me?"

Something unreadable flickered behind his clouded blue gaze. "Because you would be in even greater danger if you knew the truth."

I felt like my stomach was in knots. All of my instincts begged me to investigate him more and ask him why he had allowed me to hate him for so long. Jack, however, approached and lowered his voice to a whisper before I could respond.

Amelia, he is aware. Victor is aware that you are investigating him.

I felt a cold go through me. Charlotte cried softly behind me, but I was immobile and gasping for air.

Jack's subsequent remarks made me shiver.

"He is on his way to get you."

The sound of shattered glass echoed along the corridor before I could react. Jack stiffened, his eyes darting over my shoulder as though he anticipated it.

He gave a stern order to "get away from the windows," then entered and slammed the door with a faint but firm click.

Charlotte took hold of my arm. "Amelia, what's going on?"

Jack remained silent. Rather, he walked straight to the draperies and gave them a sharp jerk to close. I noticed that his fingers were trembling a little, and my breath caught.

My phone buzzed in my pocket a second later. When I saw the message, I yanked it out, my stomach churning.

Unidentified Number: You ought to have remained in the dark.

Jack looked at the television. His face hardened like steel. "It has begun."

Dread gripped at my throat, and the room's air seemed heavy. This was no longer about business or retaliation.

It was war.