Chapter 14: The Counterstrike

Isabelle paced the length of her office, the silence broken only by the sharp click of her heels against the polished floor. 

Her fury burned hotter with each passing moment. The audacity of Williams and Emily to challenge her authority was one thing, but now they had meddled with her private affairs.

She threw her phone onto the desk, the screen lighting up briefly with an unread notification. 

The encrypted security alert from earlier still taunted her—a failed breach attempt. But Isabelle wasn't fooled. 

They hadn't failed; they'd succeeded. Someone had accessed her files.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she snapped.

Richard entered cautiously, his posture tense. He had been on edge since their last conversation, but tonight her expression was more menacing than ever.

"I've been reviewing the situation with Williams," he began, choosing his words carefully. "I believe he and Emily are working together."