Chapter 8: The Mysterious Ally

Kate's POV

The pub was dim and shadowy, and the low hum of the conversations there added to the strain that was already building in my chest. As I entered, I gripped my purse firmly and looked across the room for the message's anonymous sender. My heart was racing in my ears, and every stride was fueled by a mixture of curiosity and fear.

"Kate Williams? From a dark nook came a rough voice.

The dim light partially concealed the face of a man in his late forties when I turned around. I paused, then sat on the seat across from him as he indicated.

I tried to sound bolder than I felt when I said, "You're the one who texted me."

He gave a nod. "My name is Ethan. Simon Blackwood was my boss before I realized the truth.

My heartbeat accelerated. "What's the truth?"

Ethan passed a folder across the table after taking it out of his bag. "It contains all the information you require. There is more to Blackwood Enterprises than meets the eye. Simon is not who he appears to be.

I carefully opened the folder and looked through the contents. They contained bank documents, emails, and notes that described dubious transactions, including bribery, agreements made behind closed doors, and one arrangement that was too personal.

"This…" I muttered, trembling, and gestured to a contract. "My family was destroyed by this deal."

Grimly, Ethan nodded. Simon was aware that his father had planned it. He had the chance to stop it but chose not to. He didn't care who was harmed along the road since he was too preoccupied with moving up the corporate ladder.

Anger and betrayal blazed through me, causing a lump to form in my throat. "Why are you telling me this now?"

Ethan spoke softly as he leaned forward. "Because individuals like Simon never change." You will also suffer if you are close to him. Before it's too late, you deserve to know the truth.

I shook my hands shutting the folder. I responded, my voice hardly audible, "Thank you." "I need time to think about this."

Ethan stood up and nodded. "Kate, exercise caution. Simon has a knack for manipulating reality to fit his story. Don't be duped by him.

He then vanished into the darkness, leaving me to bear the burden of the truth by myself.

My thoughts were racing as I gazed at the documents back at my flat. Even while I couldn't deny the evidence, I secretly hoped Simon had an answer. I had to face him.

I was standing in Simon's office again the following morning. As I entered, he looked up, his face cautious.

With caution, he said, "Kate." "What's happening?"

The folder fell upon his desk. "Explain this."

His brows furrowed as he flipped through the contents of the folder. His face turned a little pale, but he soon regained his composure. "Where did this come from?"

"That is irrelevant," I yelled. "Is it accurate? Were you aware of the transaction that destroyed my family?"

With a groan, Simon combed through his hair. "Yeah," he acknowledged. However, I didn't make the choice. My dad planned it. I made an effort to correct it after the event.

"Repair it? I said it again, raising my voice. "Do you believe that improves it? Simon, my family lost everything. Everything.

With remorse in his voice, he responded, "I know." And I've been working to put things right for years. However, my father is ruthless. If I had attempted to stop him back then, he would have devastated me.

With tears hurting my eyes, I shook my head. "Simon, you ought to have taken action. You ought to have spoken up for what was right.

"Now I'm fighting," he shouted frantically. Kate, please trust me. I've changed since then.

I gazed at him, my feelings battling inside of me. The evidence was too damning, but I still wanted to believe him. Before he could speak another word, I turned and left, saying at last, "I need time to think."

I went to a charity function that night in an attempt to divert my attention. However, I experienced a recognizable chill when I mixed with the crowd. Vanessa.

She came up next to me, her smile as piercing as ever. "Kate, my love. Tonight, you look amazing.

Vanessa, what do you want? I asked, not trying to hide how annoyed I was.

With sparkling eyes, she took a sip of her champagne. "Just a little reminder. Simon is not who you believe him to be. He will ruin you in the same way that he has ruined everyone else who has been in contact with him.

And you suddenly give a damn about me? "Dryly," I said.

Vanessa grinned broadly. Not in particular. However, I detest it when ladies fall for his falsehoods. The deal is this: either you stand with me in exposing Simon for who he truly is, or you risk losing everything.

I responded, "You're crazy," and moved away from her.

"Am I? She called after me and said, "Kate, consider it. This cannot be won by you alone.

Long after I left, her comments continued to reverberate. Was she correct? Would I be able to fight this battle alone?

I was resolved to browse through the folder Ethan had given me again, so I took it out when I got home. I was flipping through the pages when a picture fell out and onto the table. My breath caught in my throat as I snatched it up.

Simon and Lucas were shown standing together in an old photograph from what looked to be a business meeting. Bothwere grinning as though they had just made a deal, their hands shaking.

My heart fell. Although Lucas had consistently painted himself as Simon's adversary, this picture revealed something else. Had they ever been allies? What had gone wrong, if at all?

I saw a handwritten comment on the back of the picture when I turned it over. I felt cold when I read the lines, "Partners in ambition, divided by greed." It was disturbing enough that Lucas and Simon had once collaborated, but the suggestion that their rupture was due to greed suggested something more sinister.

It became increasingly obvious to me as I continued to look at the picture that there were more facets to this tale than I had yet to explore. Lucas had come across as a helpful ally, but how could I believe his intentions if he had previously been Simon's partner? How much more was Simon concealing from me?

My mind racing, I put the picture back in the folder. Even though the evidence against Simon was clear, everything was now called into doubt because of Lucas's involvement. Every new revelation seemed to add pieces to the puzzle of the truth, but it never revealed the entire picture.

I felt a feeling of dread creep in. What had caused Lucas and Simon to break up if they had been partners? Where did that place me in this complex web of deceit and ambition, more significantly?

With determination igniting within me, I clenched my hands. Now I couldn't stop. I would do whatever it took to find out the truth, not only about Simon but also about Lucas. I would discover who was in charge in one way or another.