Chapter 19 : TREACHERY

The force of the blow sent Eric's head snapping to the side, the sharp sting of the slap echoing in the sterile silence of the office. He slowly turned back, his bloodshot eyes locking onto the figure standing before him. His father.

The man was a study in controlled menace. He stood behind a massive mahogany desk, the polished surface reflecting the dim, amber glow of a single lamp. His tailored suit, a dark, expensive fabric, fit him perfectly, emphasizing his lean, almost predatory frame. He held a crystal tumbler of whiskey, the liquid swirling like liquid gold in the dim light. His face, etched with lines of age and cruelty, was a mask of cold indifference. His eyes, dark and piercing, held a chilling intensity that made Eric's stomach churn.

"Father," Eric said, his voice a low, strained whisper, "you promised. You promised you wouldn't hurt her."

A slow, chilling smile spread across the man's lips. "Promises are fragile things, Eric. Easily broken." He took a sip of his whiskey, the clink of the ice against the glass echoing in the silence. "You were supposed to create distance between them. To make her recoil from him, to make him doubt her. Instead, they cling closer."

Eric clenched his fists, the nails digging into his palms. "I tried. I sent the threatening notes. I even leaked the photograph of their kiss, thinking she'd be humiliated, that she'd push him away. But they're… they're stubborn."

"Stubborn?" His father's voice dripped with disdain. "Or perhaps they know something we don't. How do they know about the Serpent symbol? How are they still together after all your attempts?"

Eric’s mind raced, searching for an explanation. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "Maybe… maybe someone betrayed us. A mole."

A flicker of something akin to amusement crossed his father's face. "A mole. How… convenient. Tell me, Eric, what do they discuss? What secrets do they share?"

Eric hesitated. "I don't know the specifics. They are… cautious. But I know they are actively looking for the artifact. They are getting closer."

"And what of the artifact?" his father asked, his voice low. "Do they understand its power?"

"I don't think so," Eric replied. "They see it as a puzzle, a mystery. They don't grasp the true potential."

His father nodded slowly. "Good. It must remain that way. The artifact is not a toy. It is the key to… everything."

Eric's gaze drifted to the window, the city lights twinkling like distant stars. He thought of Elara, her eyes wide with fear, her voice trembling. He thought of Elian, his face set in a mask of determination, his hand reaching for hers. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒖𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒓.

The office door flung open, the sudden intrusion shattering the tense silence. Damon walked in, a smirk playing on his lips. He leaned against the door frame, his gaze fixed on Eric. "Poor Eric," he drawled, his voice laced with mocking sympathy. "You really believed Elian actually cared about your precious Elara? He's playing you all." He walked towards Eric, placing a heavy, unwelcome arm around his shoulders.

Eric shrugged him off, his body tense, his fists clenched. "Don't speak a word about her," he hissed, his voice a low, dangerous growl.

His father chuckled, a low, guttural sound that sent a shiver down Eric's spine. "Hmm," he mused, his gaze shifting to Damon. "What if the Valerius family are after the same thing… we want?"

Damon's smirk vanished, his face hardening. "You think Lucius Valerius is after her?" His voice was low, serious.

The man swirled the whiskey in his glass, his eyes fixed on the amber liquid. "It would explain their… tenacity. It would explain why they are so interested in Elara. And it would explain why Elian seems so… devoted." He paused, his gaze shifting back to Eric, a cold, calculating look in his eyes. "And it would explain why we need to eliminate any… distractions. Especially if those distractions are tied to our rivals."

"Rivals? You mean, the Valerius family?" Damon asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Indeed," his father replied. "Lucius Valerius has always been ambitious And if he believes Elara is the key to unlocking the artifact's true potential, then he will stop at nothing to possess her."

"But Elian, he seems genuine," Eric said, his voice laced with doubt. "He seems to truly care for her."

His father's lips curled into a thin, almost imperceptible smile. "Sentiment is a weakness, Eric. A weakness Lucius Valerius will exploit. Or… perhaps, he already has."

Eric frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Consider this," his father said, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "What better way to gain access to Elara, to learn her secrets, than to feign affection? To create a bond of trust, to become her confidant, her protector?"

Damon chuckled, a low, sinister sound. "A perfect Trojan horse. Clever."

Eric's stomach churned. "You think Elian is… pretending?"

"Think, Eric," his father said, his voice laced with a subtle edge of impatience. "The Valerius family has always been known for their… adaptability. Their ability to play any role, to wear any mask. And Elian has always been his father's son."

"But their connection, it seemed so… real," Eric protested, his voice laced with a desperate hope that he was wrong.

"Real?" His father scoffed. "Emotions are easily manipulated, Eric. Especially in those who are vulnerable. And Elara, she is… susceptible. A perfect target for a skilled manipulator."

Damon nodded, his eyes gleaming with a cruel understanding. "And if Elian is indeed playing a role, then he has played it well. He has gained her trust, her affection, her very soul."

Eric's gaze drifted to the window, the city lights blurring through the haze of his growing unease. He thought of Elian's eyes, the intensity of his gaze, the tenderness of his touch. He thought of Elara, her laughter, her trust, her vulnerability. Could it all be a lie? Could Elian be playing her, using her to achieve his family's goals?

"But why?" Eric asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Why go to such lengths?"

"The artifact, Eric," his father said, his voice low and dangerous. "It holds power beyond your comprehension. Power that Lucius Valerius wants to use to destroy us . And Elara… she is the key."

"Go," his father said, his voice sharp and dismissive. " Keep a close eye on Elian Valerius. He may be closer to us than we think."

Eric nodded, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He turned and walked towards the door, Damon following close behind. As they stepped into the hallway, Eric's anger finally boiled over.

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♡

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