Secrets of the Elite
I used to think rich people had everything—power, privilege, and a life free from problems. But now that I had stepped into their world, I saw the truth. Behind the luxury was corruption, and I was sinking into it.
Sitting in a dimly lit lounge, I held my glass tightly, swirling the golden liquid inside. Across from me, Damian leaned back in his chair, completely at ease. He looked at me with sharp, calculating eyes, as if he already knew what I was thinking.
"You're staring, Celeste. Something on your mind?" His voice was smooth, amused.
"A lot," I replied. "Like how you've managed to keep this secret for so long."
He smirked. "Curiosity can be dangerous."
This wasn't just curiosity. This was survival.
I had uncovered something dark—business deals built on lies, money that came from ruining lives. Damian wasn't just another rich man. He built his empire by using desperate people. And I was standing too close to it all.
He raised his glass. "To power."
I didn't drink. "To truth."
His smirk deepened. "Truth is flexible, Celeste. The real question is—what will you do with it?"
My stomach tightened. I didn't know. The world I had believed in—fairness, justice—seemed so far away now. Everything was controlled by men like Damian, pulling the strings behind the scenes. And that terrified me.
"You should stop fighting it," he said. "You belong here."
I wanted to tell him he was wrong. But was he? The longer I stayed, the harder it became to walk away. My hands weren't clean anymore.
My phone vibrated. A single message flashed on the screen.
Get out. Now.
My pulse spiked. The number was unknown, but the meaning was clear.
I shoved my phone into my purse and forced myself to stay calm. "Excuse me."
Damian's hand closed around my wrist before I could leave. "Not yet."
His grip was firm, his expression unreadable. I met his gaze, refusing to show fear. "Let go."
For a moment, he didn't move. Then, slowly, he released my wrist.
"See you soon," he murmured. His voice sent a chill down my spine.
I pushed through the crowded lounge and stepped into the cold night air, my mind racing. Who had sent that message? And why now?
Before I could process it, a black car pulled up beside me. The window rolled down, revealing a familiar face.
"Get in," Leon said. His expression was serious.
I hesitated. Leon Miller—once my ally, the only one who had warned me about Damian. The man I had pushed away, thinking I could handle this alone.
I slid into the car. "Talk."
He didn't drive off right away. He just looked at me. "You're in deep, Celeste. Too deep."
"I know."
He sighed. "No, you don't. Damian doesn't just deal with money. He controls people. He destroys them. And you? You're walking right into his trap."
My throat tightened. "Why are you warning me now?"
"Because he's watching you more than you realize. And if you keep digging, you won't like what you find."
A cold weight settled in my chest. I had already seen how ruthless Damian was. But there was more. I could feel it.
"I can't just walk away," I said, steady despite the fear clawing at me.
Leon shook his head. "Then stop underestimating him. He's ten steps ahead of you. You're playing checkers, and he's playing chess."
I exhaled sharply. "Then I'll learn to play chess."
Something flickered in Leon's eyes—admiration, maybe frustration. "Then let's make sure you survive."
The car sped forward, city lights flashing past. But all I could focus on was the road ahead, twisting into something unknown.
I wasn't just uncovering secrets anymore.
I was becoming one of them.