It was past midnight when Elsa Jefferson returned to her high-rise penthouse in the East Tower of Elaris Luxe Plaza. The city lights shimmered through the floor-to-ceiling glass, but tonight, they offered no comfort.
The boardroom ambush still lingered in her mind.
Cornelius. Silas. The boldness of their move.
And then — the mysterious message.
"Keep your eyes on the west wing of the board. The knife won't come from the front."
She'd thought she could trust the Elaris Luxe Board. After all, she had handpicked most of them — or so she believed.
Morning.
Elsa entered her executive suite at Elaris Luxe Holdings. Waiting by the window was her Chief Operating Officer, Camilla Dane — sharp in a cream pantsuit, tablet in hand, hair pinned to perfection.
"Board meeting at ten," Camilla said, not looking up. "Finance wants your approval for the restructuring of the RivenCore project."
Elsa didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she turned toward the window.
"How long have you worked with me, Cam?"
Camilla blinked. "Seven years."
"And in those seven years," Elsa continued, "have I ever signed off on anything involving Kade Industries?"
Camilla hesitated.
Then — "No. Never."
Elsa turned, her voice colder now.
"Then why does this financial request route three million dollars to a Kade shell company in Halden Ridge?"
Camilla's jaw tightened. "That must be a clerical error—"
"Don't," Elsa said, stepping forward. "Don't insult me with sloppy denials."
Camilla exhaled slowly. "You have enemies on all sides, Elsa. You needed someone playing the middle."
"You mean you sold me out," Elsa said.
Camilla stepped forward, emotion rising. "I made sure you stayed ahead. I redirected pressure. Silas needed a leak, a link. I gave him breadcrumbs. Nothing more."
"And what did he give you in return?" Elsa asked quietly.
Camilla didn't answer.
Elsa nodded. "Effective immediately, you're suspended. Security will escort you."
Camilla's eyes glistened — not from regret, but from calculation. "You think you're winning? You're outnumbered, Elsa. This isn't your kingdom anymore."
Elsa stepped aside. "It was never a kingdom. It's a warzone."
🕷 Meanwhile…
In a sleek black Maybach parked outside Elaris Luxe Plaza, Silas Kade received the update from his mole.
He closed his phone and looked at the man sitting beside him — a younger executive, Nolan Ryce, Elaris Luxe's Head of Communications.
"She cut off Camilla," Silas said. "She's getting smarter."
Nolan looked nervous. "I've been feeding you intel. Camilla was the main pipeline. If she starts digging—"
"She'll find you too," Silas said calmly. "Which is why you'll give her something."
"Something fake?"
Silas smiled. "Something true. Just... not the right truth."
💼 Back at Elaris Luxe...
Elsa stood alone in her office, watching as security escorted Camilla out. A sour taste filled her mouth. Seven years of trust — gone.
Then, Ava, her junior assistant, entered nervously.
"There's a journalist from Nova Bulletin asking for a comment. Rumors are flying that you're under investigation by the financial regulator."
Elsa turned slowly. "I'm what?"
Ava looked scared. "They say an anonymous source within your executive team filed a whistleblower complaint."
Elsa's mind snapped to Nolan Ryce.
And just like that, the game shifted again.
The knife wasn't thrown from the front.But now she saw the first edge clearly.
Somewhere across the city, a masked man stood in a subterranean chamber, watching a glowing network of names on a digital wall.
A red thread connected Elsa, Silas, and now... Nolan Ryce.
Chess Golding touched the screen and smirked."It begins."