Striking First

Episode 6: Striking First

[Scene: Liana’s office at Everhart Corp. She sits behind her desk, reviewing documents from the folder Damian gave her. Her assistant, Noah, walks in with a fresh cup of coffee.]

Noah: [placing the cup down] “You’ve been working non-stop. Want me to clear your afternoon schedule?”

Liana: [shaking her head] “No. I need everything running as planned. But I do need you to pull something for me.”

Noah: [curious] “Of course. What’s the target this time?”

Liana: [handing him a slip of paper] “These account numbers. Quietly. I want every detail by the end of the day.”

Noah: [reading the slip and smirking] “Offshore accounts? Sounds juicy.”

Liana: [smiling faintly] “It will be. Now go.”

Noah nods and exits, leaving Liana to her thoughts. She picks up her phone and texts Damian.

Liana (text): “The accounts will be traced by tonight. Prepare the next move.”

Almost immediately, a reply comes in.

Damian (text): “Impressive. Let’s meet tomorrow to finalize.”

[Scene shifts: Rowena and Eleanor are in the Everhart mansion’s parlor. Rowena is visibly frustrated.]

Rowena: [pacing] “She’s been too calm, Mother. I don’t like it.”

Eleanor: [sipping tea] “Liana has always been a naive girl. She’s probably just playing at being serious.”

Rowena: [snapping] “No. This is different. She’s hiding something, and I don’t trust her.”

Eleanor: [placing her cup down delicately] “Then dig. Find out what she’s up to. If she’s planning something, we’ll stop her before she can act.”

[Scene shifts: Damian meets Ethan and Adrian at a private club.]

Adrian: [leaning back in his chair] “So, Liana’s making her first move. Are you sure she’s ready for this?”

Damian: [smirking] “She’s more ready than Alex and Rowena will ever expect. That’s what makes her dangerous.”

Ethan: [frowning] “And if she fails?”

Damian: [darkly] “She won’t. Because I won’t let her.”

[Scene shifts: A high-end bar where Alex is meeting with his business associates. His phone buzzes with a message from Rowena.]

Rowena (text): “We need to talk. Liana is becoming a problem.”

Alex sighs, annoyed, and pockets his phone. As he turns back to his associates, one of them leans closer.

Associate: [whispering] “You sure you can keep Damian off your back? Word is he’s watching your every move.”

Alex: [smirking] “Let him watch. By the time he realizes what I’m doing, it’ll be too late.”

[Scene shifts: Liana’s apartment. She’s on a video call with her best friends, Vivienne, Serena, and Aria.]

Vivienne: [teasing] “So, what’s the latest on your mysterious partnership? Don’t think we’re not curious!”

Liana: [laughing lightly] “It’s not as dramatic as you think.”

Serena: [grinning] “Sure, sure. And I suppose Damian Blackwood is just a ‘business partner’ too?”

Aria: [serious] “Jokes aside, Liana, are you sure you can trust him?”

Liana: [pausing] “No. But I don’t need to trust him. I just need to use him—like he’s using me.”

Aria: [nodding approvingly] “Good. Just don’t let him outsmart you.”

[Scene shifts: Damian’s penthouse. He’s reviewing the information Liana sent when Ethan walks in.]

Ethan: [curiously] “So, what’s next?”

Damian: [smirking slightly] “We leak just enough to rattle Alex. He’ll start making mistakes. And when he does, we’ll be ready.”

[Scene shifts: Late night. Liana receives an email from Noah. It contains a full report on Alex’s accounts, along with flagged transactions.]

Noah (email): “Attached are the details. He’s been funneling money into a shell corporation tied to Rowena. It’s bigger than we thought.”

Liana stares at the screen, her jaw tightening. She picks up her phone and dials Damian.

Damian (on phone): “Liana. I assume you have something for me?”

Liana: [coldly] “Alex and Rowena are laundering money through a fake charity. It’s enough to bury them both.”

Damian: [chuckling darkly] “Perfect. Send me everything. We’ll leak it tomorrow.”

[Final scene: Rowena is in her bedroom when she receives an anonymous message on her phone.]

Anonymous (text): “You should be careful where you hide your secrets. The world is watching.”

Rowena’s face pales as she looks around the room, suddenly feeling exposed.

Rowena: [to herself] “What the hell is going on?”

To be continued...

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