Aria Vance sat in her office, the shadows of the cityscape stretching long across the glass walls. The weight of the day's revelations still clung to her, but there was no time to dwell. Logan's empire was crumbling, and someone had lit the match.
Her phone buzzed. Julie's voice followed, calm but urgent.
"Andrew agreed to a meeting. Thirty minutes. His office."
Aria's lips pressed into a thin line. Andrew had always played the loyal confidant to Logan, but now? The leaks, the calculated moves—it all pointed to someone with deep knowledge of Logan's operations. She needed answers.
---
When she arrived at Andrew's office, the towering glass building was a far cry from the chaos engulfing Logan. Andrew's assistant barely glanced up as Aria strode past. The pristine hallway, devoid of tension, felt unnerving.
Andrew stood by the window, his hands tucked into his pockets. The usual smug confidence flickered beneath the surface, though his gaze sharpened as Aria entered.
"Ms. Vance," he greeted, voice smooth. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Aria didn't bother with pleasantries. She closed the door firmly behind her.
"Cut the act, Andrew. I'm not here for games. The leaks—someone's dismantling Logan, piece by piece. And you're the most likely suspect."
He arched a brow, amusement tugging at the corner of his lips.
"And what makes you think that?"
"Because you're the only one with enough insight into his affairs to make this happen. Offshore accounts, illegal dealings—the media isn't pulling this out of thin air."
Andrew chuckled, though there was little warmth in it.
"You give me too much credit. If I wanted Logan destroyed, I wouldn't waste time with breadcrumbs."
"Then who would?" Aria's voice was edged with frustration.
"That's the question, isn't it?" Andrew stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "Someone with a vendetta. Someone who knows just how far Logan's corruption goes. And trust me, there's no shortage of people who want him gone."
Aria's stomach twisted.
"So you're denying any involvement?"
"Absolutely." He held her stare. "But that doesn't mean I don't find this situation… entertaining. Logan's downfall has been a long time coming."
She studied him, searching for cracks in his composure. But Andrew was nothing if not composed.
"Then prove it," she countered. "Help me find out who's behind this."
Andrew laughed softly. "And why would I do that?"
"Because when Logan falls, the board will panic. They'll want stability. I plan to provide that… and those who stand by me will find themselves in a favorable position."
For the first time, genuine curiosity flashed across Andrew's face.
"Ambitious. I like it." He paused. "Fine. I'll make a few inquiries. But remember, Aria—this is a dangerous game you're playing. Not every enemy wears their intentions so plainly."
---
Back at Vance Enterprises, Julie was waiting. Aria relayed every word, her frustration still simmering.
"Do you believe him?" Julie asked.
"For now," Aria replied. "But I don't trust him. Not yet."
Julie nodded. "And Miles? He's still digging. He's convinced whoever's orchestrating this has resources we've barely scratched the surface of."
Aria's jaw tightened. The shadowy figure loomed larger in her mind. Someone powerful. Someone ruthless.
"Tell Miles to keep at it," she said. "We're not done yet."
---
Elsewhere, Logan paced his office like a caged animal. The damning reports looped endlessly on news channels. Lawyers bombarded his phone with strategies and half-hearted assurances. But Logan knew better. The ground beneath him was crumbling.
He snatched the burner phone from his desk, his fingers trembling as he dialed the number. It rang once. Twice. Then, a distorted voice answered.
"You went too far," Logan growled, his voice laced with fury. "This wasn't part of the plan."
A pause. Then the voice responded, calm and calculated.
"Plans change. The downfall has begun. You're no longer in control."
Logan's jaw clenched. "Don't toy with me. You were supposed to help me destroy Aria, not throw me to the wolves. What the hell are you doing?"
"Helping you?" The voice chuckled darkly. "You really thought this was about helping you, Logan? No. I simply gave you the rope. You're the one who decided to hang yourself."
His fingers dug into the phone, knuckles white. "I made you promises. We had a deal. You wanted Aria Vance gone, and I delivered. Then why are you turning against me?"
The voice was unmoved. "Because your downfall serves a greater purpose."
"A greater purpose?" Logan spat, his temper flaring. "What purpose could possibly justify destroying me like this? I built Hale Enterprises from the ground up. You're sabotaging everything we've worked for."
"You built your empire on lies, deceit, and blood money," the voice sneered. "And now, the world knows it. You're no victim, Logan. You're just the latest pawn to fall."
Logan's breath quickened. "But you're not innocent either. You're the one who wanted Aria gone. You told me she was a threat. So why am I the one paying the price?"
Another chilling laugh echoed through the line. "You think I care about Aria Vance? She's merely a piece on the board. You were useful until you weren't."
Logan's mind raced. The pieces didn't add up.
"Then what is this about? If I was just a means to an end, tell me who you're really after!"
The voice shifted, the distorted tone dripping with satisfaction. "The one who underestimated the cost of betrayal. You thought you could manipulate without consequence. Now you understand."
"You still need me," Logan barked, desperate to regain some control. "You can't destroy me without getting your hands dirty. If I go down, I take secrets with me."
A heavy silence followed. For a moment, Logan thought he had struck a nerve.
Then the voice whispered, low and venomous.
"Go ahead. Expose what you know. See how quickly your own reflection turns against you. There's no winning for you, Logan. Your power is an illusion, and it's already slipping through your fingers."
Logan's pulse thundered in his ears.
"This isn't over," he snarled.
"Oh, Logan. You were never the target."
The line went dead.
Logan stood frozen, the echo of those words lingering in the air. For the first time, the ever-confident CEO felt something unfamiliar and all-consuming.
Fear.
---
Aria, unaware of Logan's spiraling desperation, stared out at the city that night. The war was far from over, but each move brought her closer to the truth.
And no matter who stood in her way, she would uncover it.