Chapter 183
The calm that followed Carolina’s capture was short-lived. As the sun began to rise over the estate, it cast long shadows that seemed to stretch across the grounds, mirroring the sense of unease that lingered in everyone’s mind. Alexander, Lily, and Caleb gathered in the study, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and determination.
Maxwell entered, wiping the rain from his face, his demeanor grim. “Carolina’s locked down, but she’s refusing to speak about the explosives. We’ve secured the mansion, but there might be more traps.”
Alexander nodded, pacing the length of the room. “We need to sweep every inch of this place. We can’t take any risks.”
Caleb’s voice was quiet but firm. “It’s not just Carolina we need to worry about. Ariana’s still out there, and she won’t take her mother’s capture lightly.”
Lily leaned against the desk, arms crossed, her eyes focused. “We’ll be ready for her. And I’ve sent Selene to intercept any communications she might have with her remaining allies. If Ariana tries to make a move, we’ll know before she does.”
Maxwell raised an eyebrow. “You really think she’ll come for us directly?”
Lily’s gaze turned steely. “She’s too proud to run. She’ll come, but not until she thinks she’s got the upper hand.”
Alexander turned to Lily, gratitude mingling with the urgency in his voice. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Lily. You saved us tonight.”
Lily smiled slightly, her hand brushing his arm. “We’re in this together, Alex. I’ll always have your back.”
***
Meanwhile, miles away, Ariana stood in a sleek, modern apartment overlooking the city. Her expression was cold as she watched the news broadcast about her mother’s capture. Reporters buzzed with speculation, but the most critical piece of information hadn’t been released yet—Carolina’s arrest had been kept under wraps, at least for now.
She clenched her fists, rage seething inside her. “They think they’ve won. But this is far from over.”
One of her remaining loyal associates, a sharp-eyed woman named Daria, approached her cautiously. “What’s our next move, Ariana? They’ve got your mother, and from what I’ve heard, she didn’t manage to plant all the explosives she claimed.”
Ariana’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Of course she failed. But I’ll succeed where she couldn’t.”
She turned to Daria, her expression hardening with resolve. “We need to shift our focus. Lily thinks she’s won my mother’s game, but she doesn’t know the one I’m playing. We’re going to use her own network against her.”
Daria looked uncertain but nodded. “And what about Maxwell, Alexander, and Caleb? They’ll be tightening their security.”
Ariana’s smile was icy. “Let them. We’re going to make them believe they have the upper hand, right until the moment it’s too late.”
***
Back at the estate, the team was deep into their search. The security sweep had turned up several small, hidden explosives—most of them duds. It seemed Carolina had been bluffing about the extent of her preparations. But despite the slight relief this brought, Alexander couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still amiss.
He voiced his thoughts as he, Lily, and Caleb gathered around the dining table, reviewing the blueprints of the estate. “It doesn’t add up. Carolina’s never been careless. If she planted those devices, she meant for them to be found.”
Lily’s brow furrowed as she studied the diagrams. “Maybe she wanted to buy time. Distract us while Ariana put her own plans into motion.”
Caleb nodded slowly, considering. “That would fit their style—divide our focus, make us feel like we’ve won when the real threat is still coming.”
Maxwell, returning from overseeing the final checks outside, caught the tail end of their conversation. “I’ve doubled the guard patrols. If Ariana’s planning anything, she won’t get within a mile of this place without us knowing.”
Lily’s phone buzzed suddenly, a secure message from Selene. She read it quickly, her face tightening. “Ariana’s been making moves in the city. She’s consolidating resources, gathering people. Whatever she’s planning, it’s going to be big.”
Alexander looked to Caleb, then back to Lily and Maxwell. “We need to be one step ahead of her. Whatever Ariana’s endgame is, we have to make sure she doesn’t get the chance to strike first.”
***
Across town, in the shadows of a warehouse, Ariana stood before a group of hardened men and women—her new allies, culled from the fringes of the underworld and ready to do whatever it took to turn the tide in her favor. She addressed them with a chilling calm, detailing her plan to dismantle Alexander and his family’s power, piece by piece.
“They took my mother,” she said, her voice carrying a venomous edge. “They think they’ve won, but they have no idea what’s coming for them. Tonight, we make the first strike.”
As the group listened, Daria whispered something into Ariana’s ear, causing a flicker of surprise to cross her face. Ariana turned sharply, her expression unreadable as she absorbed the information.
“You’re certain?” she asked Daria, her voice low.
Daria nodded, glancing around as if expecting spies in the shadows. “It’s confirmed. Lily’s contacted someone from Silas’s old circle—someone who might be a traitor in their midst.”
Ariana’s smile slowly returned, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Interesting. It seems Lily’s been keeping secrets of her own.”
She turned back to her gathered allies, her voice rising with renewed determination. “Change of plans. We’re going to exploit this little rift. Let’s see how much Alexander and his perfect wife trust each other when the pressure’s on.”
***
As the day wore on at the estate, the tension remained palpable. Lily had stepped out to the garden for a moment of fresh air, the events of the last few hours weighing heavily on her. She knew Ariana wouldn’t give up easily—she’d seen that cold determination in her eyes too many times.
She barely noticed Alexander approaching until he was beside her, his expression softer than it had been all morning. “Hey,” he said quietly, slipping an arm around her waist. “You okay?”
Lily managed a small smile. “As okay as I can be with Carolina in custody and Ariana still out there.”
Alexander squeezed her hand gently. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
Lily nodded, leaning into his embrace. But even as she did, her mind raced with thoughts of Selene’s latest findings, and the secrets she had yet to share with Alexander. The knowledge weighed on her, a dark cloud that threatened to overshadow even their brief moments of peace.
Little did either of them know, Ariana’s plans were already set in motion. And soon, a new betrayal would surface—one that could shatter the fragile trust they had built and turn the tide of the conflict in ways none of them could have predicted.
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