Love Denied Ch 10

Chapter 10
Striking Back
Elena sat in the back of her car, fingers tapping against the
leather seat as she read through the file Adrian had sent. The
evidence was clear—Ryan had orchestrated the entire
scandal against Isabelle. Fake documents, anonymous tips,
and a well-timed media leak. He had played dirty.
But now, he had made a mistake.
She turned to Daniel, who was seated beside her. “We
release the proof immediately. Get the media on our side.
Make it clear that Isabelle was framed.”
Daniel nodded. “And what about Ryan?”
Elena’s expression was ice cold. “I am done playing defense.
It is time we hit him where it hurts.”
Daniel smirked. “You have a plan?”
Elena’s lips curled slightly. “Of course I do.”
The car pulled up to Adrian Kane’s private estate. The
moment Elena stepped out, Adrian was waiting, leaning
casually against his sleek black sports car.
“Nice place,” she remarked, stepping past him and into the
house.
Adrian followed with a chuckle. “I like my luxuries.”
Elena wasted no time. She placed the file on his glass coffee
table. “We go after Ryan’s funding. Cut off every financial
avenue he has.”
Adrian raised a brow. “Ambitious. But not impossible.”
Elena nodded. “He relies on key investors, ones who have
no idea how reckless he is behind closed doors. We expose
that, and he crumbles.”
Adrian’s smirk widened. “I like the way you think.”
Ryan Feels the Heat
Ryan’s phone buzzed as he stepped into his office. Nathan’s
voice was urgent.
“You need to see this.”
Ryan frowned and switched on the large screen behind his
desk. The news channel was already running the story.
“Breaking: Isabelle Carter Cleared of All Accusations. New
Evidence Points to Fabrication.”
Ryan’s stomach tightened.
Nathan spoke again. “It is worse than that. Investors are
pulling out. Elena is attacking your financial network.”
Ryan clenched his jaw. He should have expected this.
“Tell me you have a way to stop this,” he said, his voice
dangerously low.
Nathan hesitated. “She is too fast. It is like she predicted
every move we would make.”
Ryan slammed his fist against his desk.
“Then we change the game,” he said coldly.
Nathan swallowed. “What do you mean?”
Ryan’s eyes darkened. “Elena has weaknesses beyond
business. If we cannot break her professionally, we will
break her personally.”
Nathan hesitated. “That is risky.”
Ryan’s smirk returned. “And when have I ever played it
safe?”
The Trap
Elena had just finished reviewing the final press release
when Daniel’s phone rang. He answered, listened for a
moment, then turned to her, his expression grim.
“There is a problem,” he said.
Elena set her papers down. “What is it?”
Daniel took a breath. “Your mother. She was just admitted
to the hospital.”
For the first time in years, Elena felt something tighten in her
chest.
She grabbed her coat without another word and rushed for
the door.
She never noticed the small black car parked across the
street.
And she had no idea that Ryan Lancaster had just set his
deadliest trap yet.