The Game of Shadows
[EXT. LILAC STREET- NIGHT]
The pale light weakly illuminates Clara's silhouette, her face marked by an ambiguous expression, a mix of coldness and satisfaction. Julien stands frozen, his throat tight, unable to speak.
CLARA
(ironically)
You haven't changed, Julien. Still as silent when it comes to facing the truth.
Julien straightens slightly, regaining a semblance of control over himself.
JULIEN
(firmly)
What do you want, Clara? Why all this?
She takes a few steps towards him, her heels echoing on the cobblestone, a cold smile on her lips.
CLARA
(sarcastic)
Oh, you know exactly what I want. It's time for you to pay for everything you've done to me.
JULIEN
(confused)
I don't understand… It was years ago, Clara. We were just kids. You can't still be holding a grudge over that.
Her smile fades, replaced by an expression of restrained anger.
CLARA
(coldly)
Kids? You mean you destroyed my life when we were "just kids"? It's not that simple, Julien.
She pulls out a phone from her pocket, scrolls through something on the screen, then hands it to him. Julien hesitates before looking. What he sees takes his breath away.
---
[FLASHBACK – AFTER THE CHILDHOOD ARGUMENT]
[INT. CLASSROOM – DAY]
Clara is alone at her desk, head down, her eyes red from crying. The other students whisper, some pointing at her, others snickering.
A group of teenagers approaches.
STUDENT 1
So, Clara, did you really cheat to steal Julien's spot?
STUDENT 2
You thought we wouldn't find out? How shameful.
The words are arrows that pierce her heart. She wants to respond, but the lump in her throat prevents her. Her reputation is ruined.
---
[BACK TO JULIEN AND CLARA – RUE DES LILAS]
JULIEN
(stunned)
I... I didn't know it had gone that far.
CLARA
(bitterly)
Of course you didn't. You left with applause and recognition, while my life turned into a nightmare.
She takes her phone and slips it back into her pocket.
CLARA
You think I'm here by chance, Julien? That these past few months were a coincidence?
Julien swallows hard.
JULIEN
(trying to stay calm)
All of this… it's you, then? The emails, the photos, the evidence against Marc?
Clara bursts out laughing, a cruel laugh.
CLARA
Not everything. But enough to remind you that no one can escape their past.
---
[INT. JULIEN'S APARTMENT – LATER THAT SAME NIGHT]
Julien returns home, shaken by the encounter. Thomas is waiting for him, looking concerned.
THOMAS
Where were you? I called you all evening.
Julien hesitates, then sits beside him.
JULIEN
(sighing)
I went to see someone... someone from my past. Clara.
Thomas furrows his brow.
THOMAS
Clara? Your childhood friend? The one you told me about?
Julien nods.
JULIEN
She's behind all of it, Thomas. The emails, the photos, the sabotage... She wants revenge for what happened when we were kids.
Thomas stays silent for a moment, then places a comforting hand on Julien's shoulder.
THOMAS
You're not alone in this. We'll figure out a solution.
---
[INT. CYBERSECURITY OFFICE – THE NEXT DAY]
Julien and Sophie return to the cybersecurity technician to get more details.
TECHNICIAN
I was able to trace another file you gave me. Clara is using decentralized servers, but I found an IP address linked to a café in the northern district.
Sophie looks at Julien, a determined expression on her face.
SOPHIE
We need to check it out.
---
[EXT. CAFE – AFTERNOON]
Julien and Sophie enter the café. The place is modest, with a few scattered customers. Julien spots a laptop abandoned on a table, its screen still on.
SOPHIE
(whispering)
It's risky, but this might give us answers.
Julien approaches, his heart pounding, and quickly types on the keyboard. A file opens automatically, revealing a compromising document about Julien, ready to be sent to several local media outlets.
Suddenly, a hand grabs his wrist. Julien turns to face Clara.
CLARA
(sharply)
You shouldn't be snooping where you're not invited.
---
[EXT. ALLEY BEHIND THE CAFE – LATER]
Clara drags Julien into an alley, away from prying eyes. Sophie follows discreetly.
CLARA
(exasperated)
Why can't you just accept your fate, Julien?
JULIEN
(defensive)
Because I didn't do anything to deserve this, Clara. You chose to let hate consume you.
Clara pulls out a phone and shows Julien a series of compromising videos.
CLARA
These images could ruin your career with a click. But I'm giving you a chance.
JULIEN
(suspicious)
What chance?
CLARA
(calmly)
Resign. Leave your precious company. Admit you don't deserve your position.
Sophie, hidden behind a wall, silently records the scene with her phone.
---
[INT. JULIEN'S APARTMENT – EVENING]
Back at home, Julien reflects on Clara's words. She seems determined to destroy him, and he knows he won't be able to stop her alone.
Thomas enters the room, holding a file.
THOMAS
I did some digging on Clara. She's been involved in several shady affairs recently, including blackmail accusations.
Julien looks at the documents, a plan beginning to form in his mind.
JULIEN
(determined)
If she wants to play this game, then we'll play too.
---
[INT. JULIEN'S OFFICE – THE NEXT DAY]
Julien and Sophie prepare a counterattack. They compile the evidence they've gathered against Clara, including recordings and her manipulation attempts.
Sophie looks at him with a confident smile.
SOPHIE
You're stronger than you think, Julien.
But as they finish their plan, Julien receives an anonymous email.
"If you dare challenge me, it won't be you who suffers. You know who I'm talking about."
Julien feels his heart tighten. Thomas...