Chapter 33
The Betrayal Play
Elena sat at the head of the long conference table, her fingers laced together as the executive team filtered into the room. The tension was thick, a quiet storm brewing beneath the surface. No one spoke, but everyone knew.
The leak was an act of war.
And someone in this room was responsible.
Jordan closed the door as the last person took their seat. The walls of the conference room were soundproof, but Elena could still hear the pulse of the city outside. The weight of a company—her company—rested on her shoulders.
She turned to Jordan. “Has the PR team contained it?”
Jordan nodded, sliding a folder across the table. “We issued a statement—vague enough to buy us time. But the media is circling. Investors are nervous.”
Elena flipped open the file, scanning the headlines.
STONE ENTERPRISES’ SECRETS EXPOSED: INSIDE THE HIGH-STAKES CORPORATE WAR
LEAKED REPORT REVEALS ACQUISITION STRATEGY—WHO’S PLAYING DIRTY?
Her stomach churned. This wasn’t just a minor inconvenience. This was a direct attack.
She looked up, her gaze sweeping across the table. “Let’s get to the point. Someone in this room leaked that report. And I will find out who.”
A murmur rippled through the group. Michael Reynolds, the CFO, adjusted his tie, his expression unreadable. Naomi Steele, head of legal, leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. The others exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
Then, Ryan cleared his throat.
“I assume you think it’s me.”
Elena didn’t flinch. “Should I?”
Ryan exhaled, leaning forward. “Let’s think logically. What would I gain from exposing the company I’m trying to return to?”
“Maybe you’re playing both sides,” Naomi said smoothly. “Trying to tank our credibility before making a move of your own.”
Ryan’s jaw tightened. “Or maybe someone is using me as an easy scapegoat.”
Elena studied him. His expression was calm, but she knew Ryan. He was a master manipulator.
And yet… something in his eyes told her he wasn’t lying.
She tapped her fingers against the table. “Naomi, what legal action can we take?”
“If we find the source, we can press charges for corporate espionage,” Naomi said. “But right now, all we have is speculation.”
Michael cleared his throat. “We should be focusing on damage control, not pointing fingers.”
Elena’s gaze snapped to him. “Funny. That sounds like something a guilty man would say.”
Michael’s face paled slightly. “Elena—”
She cut him off. “I don’t need theories. I need proof. Jordan, I want a full security sweep—every email, every login, every external device that accessed our system in the past forty-eight hours.”
Jordan nodded. “Already on it.”
Elena pushed back her chair, standing. “Whoever did this made a mistake.” Her voice was calm, but cold. “They underestimated me.”
She turned to Ryan. “If it wasn’t you, prove it.”
Ryan held her gaze. “I will.”
But the question remained.
Could she trust him?
Or was he playing a game she hadn’t even realized she was part of?
