Chapter 17: The Shifting Shadows

**Sienna's POV**

The day passed in a blur of meetings, project revisions, and stolen glances at Elena. The tension between us was palpable, and I could tell she was just as distracted as I was. But despite everything, we managed to keep things professional—at least on the surface.

It wasn't until late afternoon that things started to unravel.

I was in the middle of finalizing a set of plans when I heard a knock on my office door. I looked up to see Sebby poking his head in, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Hey, sis," he said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "Got a minute?"

"Sure," I replied, putting down my pen. "What's up?"

He sat down across from me, his expression turning serious. "I've been hearing some things around the office. Rumors about Victor and… well, some shady stuff going on with the project."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What kind of rumors?"

Sebby leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "People are saying he's been messing with the data—changing figures, altering plans, that sort of thing. And that he's got it out for Elena. Big time."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. I hadn't told Sebby about the discrepancies I'd found earlier, but now I realized just how deep this ran.

"Do you think it's true?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Sebby hesitated, then nodded. "I do. And I think you need to be careful, Sienna. If Victor's willing to sabotage a project just to take Elena down, who knows what else he might do?"

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. This was worse than I'd thought. If Victor was behind the sabotage, it wasn't just about the project anymore—it was personal. And that made it even more dangerous.

"Thanks for the heads-up, Sebby," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'll be careful."

He gave me a reassuring smile, but I could see the worry in his eyes. "Just watch your back, okay? And Elena's too. I've got a bad feeling about this."

I nodded again, my mind already spinning with possible scenarios. Victor was clearly up to something, and I needed to figure out what it was before it was too late.

As Sebby left, I turned back to my desk, but I couldn't focus on the plans in front of me. All I could think about was Elena, and the growing danger that seemed to be closing in on us from all sides.

**Elena's POV**

I had a sense that something was off as soon as I walked into my office. The air was thick with tension, and the nagging feeling that Victor was plotting something gnawed at the back of my mind.

I had been working late, pouring over the project files again, trying to figure out who was behind the sabotage. But no matter how hard I tried, the pieces just didn't add up.

That's when I heard the knock on my door.

"Come in," I called, trying to mask the weariness in my voice.

The door opened, and Victor walked in, his usual smirk plastered on his face. Just seeing him made my blood boil.

"Elena," he said smoothly, taking a seat across from me. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Actually, I'm in the middle of something," I replied coldly, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

Victor chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Always so focused, aren't you? It's admirable, really. But I'm afraid I have some... concerning news that I think you'll want to hear."

I narrowed my eyes at him, already on edge. "What is it?"

He slid a folder across my desk, his expression turning serious. "I've been hearing some things—rumors about discrepancies in the project data. I thought you should know."

My heart skipped a beat as I opened the folder and skimmed the contents. It was the same data I'd been looking at all day—the same discrepancies I'd noticed. But seeing it laid out like this, in a folder handed to me by Victor of all people, made my stomach churn.

"What's your point, Victor?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"My point is," he said, his voice dripping with false concern, "that something's going on here, Elena. And if you're not careful, it could all come crashing down."

I glared at him, my fists clenched under the desk. "If you're trying to scare me, it's not going to work. I know what you're up to, and it's not going to stop me."

Victor raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I'm just trying to help. After all, we're all on the same team, right?"

"Cut the crap, Victor," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "You've been gunning for me since day one, and we both know it. But if you think I'm going to let you take me down, you're sorely mistaken."

He stood up, that infuriating smirk still on his face. "We'll see, Elena. We'll see."

As he walked out of my office, I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Victor was playing a dangerous game, and it was clear that I was his primary target. But I wasn't going to back down—not now, not ever.

I picked up the folder he'd left behind and threw it in the trash. Whatever Victor was planning, I would be ready for it.

**David's POV**

As I watched Elena's office door close behind Victor, I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. Everything was going according to plan. Elena was on edge, exactly where I wanted her to be.

I had been keeping a close eye on her, tracking her every move. The way she looked at Sienna, the way she hovered protectively around her—I knew there was more to their relationship than she was letting on. And that was something I could use.

Victor was a means to an end. His vendetta against Elena was useful, but I had my own agenda. I wanted to see Elena broken, her career in ruins, and Sienna... Sienna was mine. She just didn't know it yet.

As I stood in the shadows, watching Elena through the glass walls of her office, I felt a dark thrill run through me. It was only a matter of time before she slipped up, and when she did, I would be there to catch her.

And then, everything she had worked so hard to build would come crashing down around her.

I smiled to myself as I turned and walked away, disappearing into the labyrinth of the office. The game was in motion, and I had all the pieces in place.

All I had to do now was wait for Elena to make her next move. And when she did, I would be ready to strike.