Chapter 160

Alexander's mind whirled as Caleb's words sank in. Ariana’s ambitions stretched far beyond family feuds or simple revenge. This was a global takeover in the making, and she was willing to dismantle everything—her mother's empire, their alliances, even their lives—to achieve it.

"So, what’s your plan, Caleb?" Alexander asked, his voice low but urgent. "You didn’t come here just to warn me. You want something from me, don’t you?"

Caleb glanced around the dimly lit factory, making sure they were still alone. He took a deep breath before replying. "I’ve been keeping an eye on Ariana’s moves for months, watching her build alliances and collect information on the network. I thought I could handle it alone, but she’s grown more dangerous than I ever imagined. We can’t stop her unless we work together."

Alexander narrowed his eyes, not fully trusting Caleb’s sudden change of heart. "And what makes you think I’ll help you after everything? For all I know, you could be leading me into another trap."

Caleb smirked, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes. "I get it. I’ve made my mistakes, and you have every reason to doubt me. But I’m not doing this just for you—or for me. If Ariana gains control, she’ll reshape the world in her own twisted vision. She’s not after justice, Alexander—she’s after absolute power. And she’s willing to burn down anyone in her way."

Alexander’s jaw clenched. He hated the idea of needing Caleb’s help, but he couldn’t ignore the truth in his words. Ariana’s ruthlessness had become all too clear, and if she truly planned to seize control of a shadowy network with global reach, they were facing a crisis that could upend everything.

"Fine," Alexander finally said, extending a hand. "For now, we work together. But the moment you cross me, Caleb, this alliance ends. Understand?"

Caleb nodded, shaking Alexander’s hand with a firm grip. "Understood. Now let’s find a way to stay one step ahead of Ariana before it’s too late."

---

Meanwhile, at a secluded estate on the outskirts of town, Maxwell sat across from Ariana in a dimly lit room, the flash drive resting between them on a polished oak table. Ariana leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with a cold intensity.

"Maxwell, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "With this, I can not only destroy my mother’s influence but also secure my place within the network. They’ll have no choice but to accept me as their new leader."

Maxwell watched her closely, hiding his unease behind a mask of indifference. "You really think they’ll let you take over that easily? These people have been running the world from the shadows for decades. They don’t just hand over power to anyone who demands it."

Ariana’s smile widened. "That’s where you’re wrong, Maxwell. They don’t know what I have on them—the secrets buried in this drive. If they refuse, I’ll expose them to the world. They’ll have no choice but to back down or face the fallout. And once they’re out of the way, I’ll reshape their network into something far more... efficient."

Maxwell suppressed a shudder. He had never seen this side of Ariana before—the calculated, almost fanatical ambition in her eyes. Part of him wondered if he had made a terrible mistake by aligning himself with her. But he knew there was no turning back now.

---

Back in the city, the media outlets were abuzz with the latest revelation: the car that had been thought to hold Lily was actually empty. Speculation ran wild, with theories ranging from a botched assassination attempt to a staged disappearance. Reporters and pundits debated the implications on every news channel, turning the mysterious car crash into the top headline of the day.

Alexander caught a glimpse of the breaking news on a TV screen as he and Caleb drove through the city. He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of relief—Lily was safe, at least for now. But the question remained: where was she hiding, and how long would it take before Ariana or Carolina found her?

Caleb glanced sideways at Alexander as he navigated through the city’s winding streets. "Any idea where Lily might be? If she’s smart, she’ll keep her distance until we figure out our next move."

Alexander shook his head, his expression troubled. "I don’t know, but I have a feeling she’ll find a way to contact us soon. Lily always has a plan, even when things look bleak."

Just then, Alexander’s phone buzzed. He glanced down to see a message from an unknown number.

"Meet me at the old pier at midnight. Come alone."

Alexander’s pulse quickened. It could be a trap, but it could also be the lead they desperately needed. He showed the message to Caleb, who nodded grimly.

"Looks like we’re not done with surprises tonight," Caleb said.

---

Across town, Carolina stood in her study, her hands gripping the edge of her desk as she watched the news coverage. She had just learned about the empty car and the speculation surrounding Lily’s supposed death. Her anger simmered beneath the surface, a fire that threatened to consume her.

"First Ariana, now this," Carolina muttered to herself. "They think they can outsmart me. They think they can take everything I’ve built and turn it against me."

She turned to face the room, where a collection of photos and documents lined the walls—evidence of her connections and influence, the network she had spent years cultivating. But now, she felt it slipping through her fingers, and the realization made her blood boil.

Carolina reached for her phone and dialed a secure number. When the line clicked open, she spoke with a tone of iron resolve.

"Activate our sleeper agents. If Ariana wants to play this game, she’ll soon learn what it means to cross me. And as for Alexander and Caleb... make sure they understand the consequences of their defiance."

As Carolina gave her orders, a shadowy figure on the other end of the line acknowledged her instructions with a curt "Yes, ma’am," before disconnecting.

Carolina’s gaze drifted to a framed photo on her desk—one of her and Ariana during happier times. She picked it up, her fingers brushing over the glass, then slammed it face down on the desk.

---

At the old pier, the air was thick with tension as Alexander arrived, the sound of waves crashing against the docks filling the silence. He scanned the shadows, waiting for the mysterious contact to reveal themselves.

Out of the darkness, Lily emerged, her expression determined but weary. She met Alexander’s gaze with a mixture of relief and urgency.

"I knew you’d come," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Lily," Alexander said, stepping closer. "We don’t have much time. Ariana’s making her move, and Carolina’s already fighting back. Whatever game they’re playing, it’s tearing everything apart."

Lily nodded, a grim smile crossing her lips. "I know. But there’s more you need to understand. Ariana isn’t just trying to take down Carolina—she’s trying to reshape everything. And she’s got leverage on the network that even Carolina doesn’t know about."

Alexander frowned. "Leverage? What are you talking about?"

Lily reached into her coat and pulled out a small notebook, its pages filled with coded messages and detailed notes. "Ariana’s been gathering intel on the network’s leaders for years. She has enough dirt on them to bring their entire operation crashing down. If she gets control, she won’t just stop with Carolina. She’ll go after anyone who stands in her way—including us."

Alexander took the notebook, flipping through its pages as the weight of the situation settled on him. The stakes were higher than ever, and now, more than ever, they would need to find a way to outmaneuver Ariana before she could execute her plan.

But as they stood there, a shadowy figure watched from the distance, a hint of a smile curling their lips. The game was far from over, and the next move would be a deadly one.