UNDERCOVER

[Skylah Angel POV]

The fallout from the Caldwell scandal was more severe than I had anticipated. Dad's involvement cast a long shadow over Sky Tech, and the constant media scrutiny was beginning to affect our business. But even amidst the chaos, I knew that I had to stay focused and vigilant. There was no time for distractions.

As I sat in my office, reviewing the latest reports, my phone buzzed. It was Blake.

"Sky, we need to talk," he said, his voice tense.

"What's wrong?" I asked, already sensing the urgency in his tone.

"It's about Rosie," he replied. "I think she's up to something."

I frowned. Rosie had been a thorn in my side ever since she arrived, but I hadn't considered her capable of anything more than petty schemes. "What do you mean?"

"She's been acting strange," Blake explained. "I caught her sneaking around the house late at night. And I've seen her talking to someone on the phone in hushed tones."

"Interesting," I mused. "I'll look into it. Thanks for the heads-up."

After hanging up, I called my most trusted friend and associate, Liam. "I need you to keep an eye on Rosie," I instructed. "Report anything suspicious."

"Consider it done," Liam replied without hesitation.

As I continued with my work, I couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. Rosie was more than just an annoyance; she was a threat. And I needed to find out what she was planning before it was too late.

I spent the next few hours combing through the data Liam had provided me. Rosie's patterns were erratic, yet methodical. She wasn't just sneaking around aimlessly; she had a purpose. But what was it? My mind raced through possible scenarios, each more troubling than the last.

By the time I left the office, the city was cloaked in twilight. The Angel Mansion loomed ahead, its facade serene and undisturbed. But within its walls, secrets brewed. I entered quietly, my footsteps echoing in the grand hall. As I ascended the staircase, I caught a glimpse of Rosie disappearing into her room, a phone clutched tightly in her hand.

The next day, the tension in the house was palpable. Rosie kept to herself, but her furtive glances and hushed phone conversations didn't go unnoticed. Blake and I exchanged worried looks over breakfast, our silent communication conveying the urgency of the situation.

In my office later that day, Liam's update came through. "She's been meeting someone at a cafe downtown. Regularly," he reported.

"Who?" I asked, leaning forward in my chair.

"We're working on that. We have a few leads, but nothing concrete yet. It could be anyone—someone from her past, a new acquaintance, or even a member of the press."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing down on me. "Keep digging. I need to know who she's talking to and what they're planning."

Days turned into weeks, and the investigation into Rosie's activities continued. Liam's updates became more frequent, each one more unsettling than the last. Rosie was indeed meeting someone regularly, and their conversations were getting more secretive.

Finally, we got a breakthrough. "She's been in contact with a man named Viktor. Ex-military, turned mercenary. Not someone you want to mess with," Liam informed me during a late-night call.

"What's his connection to Rosie?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

"We're not entirely sure yet, but he's dangerous. And if he's involved, this is bigger than we thought."

I spent the rest of the night pacing my office, trying to piece together the puzzle. Who was this Viktor, and what did he want with Rosie? And more importantly, how did he fit into the larger scheme against our family?

The next morning, I decided it was time to confront Rosie. I found her in the library, surrounded by stacks of papers.

"Busy night?" I asked, stepping into the room.

Rosie looked up, her eyes narrowing. "What do you want, Skylah?"

"I want to know what you're up to," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "You've been acting suspiciously, and I don't like surprises."

"Why do you care?" she shot back. "You're always so wrapped up in your own world. Why does it matter what I do?"

"Because you're living under my roof," I said calmly. "And I need to know if you're a threat to this family."

Rosie scoffed. "You're paranoid."

"Maybe," I conceded. "But I have good reason to be. So, are you going to tell me what's going on, or do I have to find out myself?"

For a moment, Rosie seemed to consider her options. Then she sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you. But you won't like it."

I raised an eyebrow. "Try me."

Rosie took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "I've been investigating our family's history," she began. "There are secrets that have been buried for years, and I believe they hold the key to understanding our current predicament."

I frowned. "What kind of secrets?"

"Scandals, betrayals, alliances," she continued. "Things that could explain why we're being targeted now."

"Targeted by whom?" I pressed.

Rosie hesitated, then looked me straight in the eye. "The Caldwell scandal was just the beginning. There are people out there who want to see us fall. And they're willing to go to great lengths to make it happen."

I studied her closely, trying to discern the truth. "And why should I believe you?"

"Because I have proof," she said, pulling out a folder from the pile of papers. "I've been collecting evidence. Emails, documents, old records. It's all here."

I took the folder from her, flipping through its contents. The more I read, the more my blood ran cold. There was a lot more at stake than I had realized.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice low.

"Because I want to survive," Rosie replied, her eyes fierce. "And the only way to do that is to take down those who are trying to destroy us."

For the first time, I saw a glimmer of sincerity in Rosie's eyes. Maybe she wasn't just a manipulative interloper. Maybe she was genuinely trying to help.

"Alright," I said finally. "We'll work together. But if you betray me, I won't hesitate to take you down."

Rosie nodded. "Deal."