The Vance estate was quiet when Aria arrived, the stillness a stark contrast to the chaos that had erupted in the corporate world. The sharp, cool air carried the faint scent of rain, and the large oak trees swayed gently under the weight of the wind. Marcus greeted her at the door, his expression lined with concern.
"It's in your study," he said, leading her inside. "I didn't want to open it without you."
Aria nodded, her footsteps steady despite the unsettling anticipation curling inside her. The study was just as she had left it that morning—the heavy wooden desk meticulously arranged, the dark leather chairs exuding a sense of authority. But on the desk, an envelope stood out. Plain, white, sealed. No name, no mark. Just like the others.
Marcus hovered near the door. "Do you want me to stay?"
"No," Aria replied, her voice even. "I need to read this alone."
He nodded, though concern flickered in his eyes. "I'll be close."
Once he left, she picked up the envelope. The paper was thick, the texture rough against her fingers. She slid a finger beneath the flap, breaking the seal. Inside, a single folded sheet of paper awaited her.
"You're playing with fire. Logan isn't the only one watching. Trust no one."
The words were handwritten, the ink slightly smudged as though hastily penned. But it was the signature that sent a chill down her spine.
"A Friend. Or a Foe."
Aria's jaw tightened. The messages were growing bolder. Whoever was behind them was no longer content with veiled warnings. This was a direct challenge—a reminder that she was under constant scrutiny.
She set the letter down, her mind racing. Logan may have been on the defensive, but that didn't mean he was powerless. Could this be from him? Or someone within his circle? No—it felt different. More personal. Someone with a vested interest in her downfall, but unwilling to expose themselves just yet.
The question gnawed at her as she paced the room. She couldn't ignore it, but neither could she let it distract her. Not when Logan was still reeling from the latest blow. She needed to keep the momentum going.
After placing the letter in a drawer, she stepped out of the study and made her way to the sunroom. The large glass windows flooded the space with soft light, offering a view of the sprawling gardens. Marcus had already set a tray with a pot of steaming tea and delicate porcelain cups. He always knew exactly what she needed.
Sinking into the plush armchair, she poured herself a cup. The aroma of chamomile mingled with the distant petrichor, soothing her frayed nerves. But just as she brought the cup to her lips, her phone buzzed, breaking the fragile calm.
Julie's name flashed across the screen.
"Julie," Aria answered, placing her cup on the table. "What's the latest?"
"Logan's in damage control," Julie replied, her voice sharp. "His PR team's working overtime, but it's not enough. Investors are pulling out faster than he can contain it. But there's something else. He's called for a private board meeting. The media doesn't know about it yet."
Aria frowned, the tension in her chest tightening. "A board meeting?"
"Exactly. My source says it's happening within the hour. Logan's trying to get ahead of the narrative. Maybe convince the board to support him through this."
"He's planning a counterattack," Aria murmured. "He won't just sit back and take the fall."
"Not without a fight," Julie confirmed. "But here's the thing — someone leaked that the African environmental project isn't the only shady deal Logan's involved in. There are whispers about another cover-up. I don't have the details yet, but it's gaining traction."
Aria's gaze darkened. "Keep digging. If we can expose the next scandal before Logan has time to act, it'll shatter whatever credibility he has left."
"I'm on it," Julie replied. "But be careful. He's unpredictable when cornered."
Aria ended the call, her thoughts racing. Logan's clean energy facade had crumbled, but now she had to ensure that every skeleton in his closet saw the light of day. She couldn't let him regain control.
She took a sip of her now lukewarm tea, the bitterness grounding her. The estate's peace was deceptive. Beyond these walls, a storm was brewing. And she would stand at its center, ready.
---
The fallout from the exposé on Logan's environmental project spread like wildfire. News anchors dissected the scandal with sharp precision, condemning the hypocrisy of a billionaire who touted clean energy while destroying communities. Every headline added another blow to Logan's already battered reputation.
"Environmental Deception: Logan Hale's Clean Energy Empire Crumbles"
"Behind Closed Doors: The Dark Reality of Logan Hale's African Ventures"
"Human Rights Violations Exposed — Billionaire Faces Global Backlash"
Investors were scrambling to distance themselves. The company's stock plummeted, and the damage was undeniable. But Logan wasn't one to go down without a fight.
Within the walls of his corporate tower, Logan stood before a table of grim-faced board members. The air was thick with tension, and despite the polished facade of the conference room, there was no masking the fear in their eyes.
"This is a coordinated attack," Logan declared, his voice low and commanding. "Aria Vance is relentless, and we all know she won't stop until she destroys everything we've built."
A few murmurs passed through the room. Some board members shifted uncomfortably, others avoided his gaze. Logan's jaw clenched.
"We have two options," he continued. "We can wait for the public to crucify us, or we fight back."
"And how do you propose we do that?" one member challenged.
Logan's eyes burned with determination. "We find out what Aria is planning next. We expose her weaknesses before she can expose ours. I have people working on it already."
He didn't mention the mysterious letter that had appeared on his own desk that morning — a mirror of the one Aria had received. Whoever was pulling the strings wasn't just playing one side. They were playing both.
But Logan wasn't about to let some shadowy figure manipulate him. He would take back control — no matter the cost.
And Aria? She wouldn't see him coming.