The First Crack

[Scene: Damian’s mansion, in the underground control room. Liana, Damian, and Serena are gathered around a series of monitors showing live feeds from Rowena’s and Alex’s offices.]

Serena: [grinning mischievously] “Ian took the bait. He’s already passed the fake documents to Rowena.”

Damian: [leaning back in his chair, arms crossed] “And Rowena’s predictable. She’ll lash out at Alex before confirming anything.”

Liana: [calmly, watching Rowena’s live feed] “It’s not just her ego. It’s fear. She’s losing control, and she knows it.”

Serena: [turning to Liana] “Do we push Alex harder? Or let him implode on his own?”

Liana: [smiling faintly] “A little nudge won’t hurt. Noah’s already set up the next phase. Alex won’t know what hit him.”

[Scene shifts: Alex’s office. He’s pacing, phone in hand, shouting at his assistant.]

Alex: [furious] “How did this happen? I want every transaction audited by noon!”

Assistant: [nervously] “Sir, we’re doing everything we can, but these documents... they look authentic. The board is demanding answers.”

Alex: [slamming his hand on the desk] “Answers? They’ll get answers when I say so!”

His phone buzzes with an incoming call. It’s Ian.

Alex: [answering coldly] “What do you want?”

Ian: [smoothly] “Just a friendly warning. Rowena’s not happy. You might want to watch your back.”

Alex: [mocking] “Since when do you care about what Rowena thinks?”

Ian: [chuckling] “I don’t. But if you go down, you’ll take her with you. And that’s a mess none of us need.”

Alex: [gritting his teeth] “I don’t need your advice, Ian.”

Ian: [calmly] “Suit yourself. Just remember, you can’t win if you don’t play smart.”

The call ends, leaving Alex seething with frustration.

[Scene shifts: Rowena’s penthouse. She’s pouring over the documents Ian gave her, her expression growing darker by the second. Her phone rings—it’s Alex.]

Rowena: [answering curtly] “What do you want?”

Alex: [angrily] “We need to talk. Now.”

Rowena: [sarcastically] “Oh, now you want to talk? After you’ve been stealing from me?”

Alex: [defensive] “I didn’t steal anything! Someone’s setting me up, and you’re too blind to see it.”

Rowena: [coldly] “Do you think I’m stupid, Alex? I have the proof right here.”

Alex: [yelling] “That proof is fake! You’re being played, Rowena!”

Rowena: [smirking] “The only one playing games here is you. Don’t bother coming to me for help when this all falls apart.”

She hangs up, leaving Alex fuming on the other end.

[Scene shifts: Damian and Liana are having dinner in a private lounge. The atmosphere is intimate yet charged with tension.]

Damian: [cutting into his steak] “Rowena and Alex are tearing each other apart. It’s almost too easy.”

Liana: [sipping her wine] “Easy doesn’t mean it’s over. They’re dangerous because they’re desperate. We can’t afford to let our guard down.”

Damian: [leaning forward, his gaze intense] “Do you ever stop planning?”

Liana: [smiling faintly] “Not when it comes to revenge. They took everything from me, Damian. I won’t stop until they’re destroyed.”

Damian: [softly] “I understand. They took something from me, too.”

There’s a brief silence as the weight of their shared pain settles between them. Then Liana reaches across the table, placing her hand over Damian’s.

Liana: [gently] “We’ll get through this. Together.”

Damian: [smiling slightly] “Together.”

[Scene shifts: Ian’s office. He’s meeting with one of his trusted associates, who’s just returned from tailing Alex.]

Ian: [calmly] “What did you find?”

Associate: [handing over photos] “Alex met with a new investor last night. Someone from overseas. We couldn’t get a name, but they’re moving a lot of money.”

Ian: [studying the photos] “He’s trying to rebuild his empire. Typical Alex.”

Associate: [hesitantly] “There’s more. Liana Everhart’s name came up during the meeting.”

Ian: [frowning] “Liana? What’s her connection to this?”

Associate: [shrugging] “We’re not sure yet, but it’s worth looking into.”

Ian: [nodding, his eyes narrowing] “Keep digging. If Liana’s involved, I want to know everything.”

[Scene shifts: Liana and Noah are in a secluded parking lot, inspecting a black briefcase filled with incriminating documents meant to frame Alex further.]

Noah: [grinning] “This will push him over the edge.”

Liana: [calmly closing the briefcase] “Make sure it gets delivered to Rowena anonymously. We need her to think Alex is plotting against her.”

Noah: [nodding] “Consider it done.”

Liana watches as Noah walks away, her expression unreadable. She pulls out her phone and texts Damian:

Liana (text): “The trap is set. Now we wait.”

[Final scene: Alex sits in his office, staring at a bottle of whiskey on his desk. His phone buzzes with a notification—a message from an unknown sender. It contains a single line: “They’re watching you.”

Alex looks around the room, his paranoia mounting. For the first time, he feels truly vulnerable.]

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