Cracks Begin to Show

[Scene: Rowena’s penthouse. She’s pacing the living room, her phone pressed to her ear. Ian is on the other line.]

Rowena: [snapping] “What do you mean Alex’s accounts are compromised?”

Ian: [calmly] “Exactly what I said. Offshore accounts linked to illegal dealings. If this leaks, it won’t just be him—it’ll drag you down too.”

Rowena: [stopping in her tracks] “How did you find this out?”

Ian: [chuckling] “That’s the question, isn’t it? Someone wanted me to see it. You need to decide how much you’re willing to protect Alex.”

Rowena: [gritting her teeth] “This isn’t your decision to make. Focus on Liana.”

Ian: [dryly] “You’re in denial, Rowena. Alex is your weakest link.”

Rowena ends the call abruptly, throwing her phone onto the couch. Eleanor steps into the room, sipping a glass of wine.

Eleanor: [calmly] “Trouble in paradise?”

Rowena: [glaring] “Ian thinks he’s clever, but he doesn’t understand how much we need Alex.”

Eleanor: [sitting down gracefully] “And what if he’s right? What if Alex is the problem?”

Rowena: [coldly] “Then Alex will learn what happens when he becomes a liability.”

[Scene shifts: Liana’s private office. She and Damian are reviewing the fallout from Ian’s discovery.]

Damian: [leaning on her desk] “Ian’s pushing Rowena hard. She’ll turn on Alex soon.”

Liana: [calmly, tapping her pen on the desk] “Not soon enough. We need Rowena desperate. Desperation leads to mistakes.”

Damian: [smirking] “What’s your next move?”

Liana: [with a small smile] “A little push. Let’s see how Rowena reacts when Alex starts losing his allies.”

[Scene shifts: Alex’s company headquarters. He’s in a heated meeting with his board members, who are questioning his recent decisions.]

Board Member 1: [sternly] “The offshore accounts have raised red flags, Alex. We can’t afford another scandal.”

Board Member 2: [nodding] “If the media gets wind of this, our stock will plummet.”

Alex: [irritated] “It’s being handled. Focus on the bigger picture.”

Board Member 1: [shaking his head] “The bigger picture is that you’re losing credibility. Investors are pulling out, and your father isn’t here to clean up your mess this time.”

[Scene shifts: Damian and Ethan meet at a private bar. They’re discussing the weakening of Alex’s position.]

Ethan: [laughing] “Alex is unraveling faster than I thought. The board is ready to eat him alive.”

Damian: [sipping his drink] “Good. But we’re not done. Make sure the media catches wind of the offshore accounts. Public pressure will force Rowena to act.”

Ethan: [smirking] “Consider it done. This is getting fun.”

[Scene shifts: Rowena confronts Alex in his penthouse. She storms in, her eyes blazing with fury.]

Rowena: [yelling] “What are you doing, Alex? The board is losing confidence, and Ian is breathing down my neck because of your mess!”

Alex: [defensive] “My mess? You’re the one who dragged Ian into this!”

Rowena: [stepping closer, her voice low and threatening] “Don’t push me, Alex. I’ve done more for you than you deserve.”

Alex: [smirking] “Really? Because it feels like you’re the one who’s scared. What happens when Ian finds out what you’ve been hiding?”

Rowena: [coldly] “You won’t live long enough to see that happen.”

The tension between them is palpable. Rowena storms out, slamming the door behind her.

[Scene shifts: Liana and Serena watch the confrontation via a hidden camera.]

Serena: [grinning] “They’re tearing each other apart.”

Liana: [nodding slightly] “Not enough yet. Alex is arrogant. He won’t break unless we hit him where it hurts.”

Serena: [curious] “And where’s that?”

Liana: [smirking] “His ego.”

[Scene shifts: Damian and Adrian discuss their next steps in a private room.]

Adrian: [raising an eyebrow] “You’re enjoying this more than you should.”

Damian: [smirking] “Revenge is a process. Watching them crumble is just part of the fun.”

Adrian: [leaning back] “And what about Liana? You’re betting a lot on her plan.”

Damian: [seriously] “I trust her. She’s been through worse and come out stronger. This is her game as much as mine.”

[Final scene: Liana receives a late-night message from one of her contacts. She reads it and smiles to herself. Damian walks into the room, noticing her expression.]

Damian: [curiously] “What’s got you so pleased?”

Liana: [holding up her phone] “Alex just lost his biggest investor. The sharks are circling.”

Damian: [smirking] “And Rowena?”

Liana: [calmly] “She’s next.”

They share a knowing look, the weight of their shared mission lingering in the air.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***