The Reckoning Begins

The world had turned against Gabby.

 Ariella's interview had changed everything. Gabby Armstrong's carefully built reputation was falling apart.

 But Ariella was sure of one thing.

 Gabby wouldn't give up easily. She would take everyone down with her.

Ariella leaned back in her chair, staring at the endless stream of news headlines on her laptop.

"Gabby Armstrong's Perfect Marriage? A Lie."

"Surrogate Speaks Out: The Woman Gabby Tried to Erase."

"#JusticeForAriella Trends as Gabby Armstrong Faces Backlash."

Leo sat next to her, observing closely. "We did it."

 Ariella nodded, but felt no relief. "It's not over."

 Leo sighed. "No, but it's a strong start."

Ariella's phone buzzed. Unknown Caller. She hesitated before picking up. "Hello?"

 A pause followed, then a slow, measured voice said.

 "You've made a serious mistake, sweetheart."

 Gabby.

 Ariella tightened her grip on the phone. "Oh? What mistake?"

 Gabby laughed coldly. "You think the world turning against me means you've won? You have no idea what a real fight is."

 Ariella's heart raced, but she kept her voice calm. "No, Gabby. You don't know who you're up against."

 Gabby chuckled. "Adorable. But you're still playing checkers, darling. I'm playing chess."

 Ariella clenched her jaw. "What do you want?"

 Gabby's tone darkened. "To remind you who's in charge."

 The call ended.

Ariella swallowed hard and turned to Leo. "She's planning something."

 Leo's face grew serious. "Then we need to act first."

That evening, the first counterattack began. A new article was released—crafted by Gabby's PR team.

 "The Real Ariella Brooks: A Woman with a Past."

 Ariella's heart sank as she read the words. They twisted her past into something ugly.

Ariella's foster care history. Her juvenile record. Her eviction details.

 Ariella Brooks is not a victim. She's an opportunist with a track record of poor decisions. A woman who has lied in the past. How can we trust she isn't lying now?

 Ariella's hands trembled.

 Leo grabbed the phone from her, his face filled with rage. "She's trying to ruin your reputation."

 Ariella took a sharp breath. "She's trying to make me seem unstable."

 Leo rubbed his face in frustration. "We need to respond quickly."

 Ariella glared at the article, fury rising within her. Gabby aimed to portray her as reckless, untrustworthy, a liar.

 Fine.

It was time to expose Gabby's wrongdoings. "I'll show her that she's not the only one who can play dirty. Let's see who gives up first," Ariella declared.

Ariella and Leo acted swiftly.

They needed something significant to damage Gabby's public image permanently.

 Ariella knew just where to find it.

Leo drove them to a quiet, upscale area. The house was small but well-kept—not a mansion, but cozy.

 Ariella took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

 Moments later, it opened.

 A woman stood there—mid-thirties, dark hair pulled back, a wary look in her brown eyes.

 Ariella locked eyes with her. "Danielle?"

 Danielle hesitated. "You shouldn't be here."

 Leo interjected. "We need to discuss Gabby."

 Danielle's face went pale. "I want nothing to do with her."

 Ariella stepped closer. "Neither do we. But we need your assistance."

 Danielle hesitated, then sighed and stepped aside. "Come in."

Danielle sat across from them, nervously twisting her hands. "I don't know what you want me to say."

 Ariella leaned in. "You worked for Gabby for years. You were her assistant. If anyone knows her secrets, it's you."

 Danielle's face darkened. "Knowing them is one thing. Sharing them? That's different."

 Leo spoke with certainty. "She messed up your life, didn't she?"

 Danielle flinched at his words.

 Ariella pressed further. "What did she do to you, Danielle?"

 There was a pause, then Danielle finally spoke.

 "She threatened my family," she said quietly. "When I tried to leave, she said she'd ruin me. And she did."

 Leo's fists clenched. "How?"

 Danielle took a shaky breath. "She accused me of stealing money. Claimed I took from her. I lost everything—my job, my name."

 Ariella felt a knot in her stomach. "And it was all false?"

 Danielle let out a bitter laugh. "Absolutely. Gabby needed someone to blame, and I was the easy target."

Ariella's thoughts raced. If they could prove this…

 Danielle locked eyes with her. "Do you want to bring her down?"

 Ariella nodded firmly. "I want to put an end to her."

 Danielle paused for a moment. Then she said, "I have something." She got up and went to another room. When she came back, she held a USB drive.

 "What's on it?" Leo asked.

 Danielle's hands trembled as she set it on the table. "Evidence."

 Ariella reached for it, her heart racing.

 Danielle spoke softly. "It's a recording. Gabby admitting she framed me."

 Leo's eyes widened in surprise. "You recorded her?"

 Danielle nodded. "I was terrified. I thought about destroying it many times. But I kept it. If you can use it…then do it. That woman is pure evil."

Ariella held the USB tightly. Feeling grateful that the PA was willing to cooperate.

 This was the moment.

 This was the tool they needed. This could be the final blow to Gabby's reputation.

That night, Ariella and Leo shared the recording with all the major news outlets.

 Within hours, the headlines went wild.

"Leaked Audio: Gabby Armstrong Set Up Her Assistant to Hide Fraud."

"Gabby Armstrong's Empire Falls—Is Legal Action Next?"

"The True Gabby Armstrong—Deceit, Power, and Corruption."

Gabby had aimed to ruin Ariella. But now, everyone was witnessing her downfall.

 Ariella leaned back in her chair, feeling drained. "It's finished."

 Leo looked at her, his expression hard to read. "Not yet."

 Ariella frowned. "What do you mean?"

 Leo spoke quietly but with certainty. "Gabby still has wealth. Power. Influence."

 Ariella felt a tightness in her chest. 

 Leo's gaze grew serious. "If we don't eliminate her completely… she'll return."

 Ariella nodded slowly because Leo was right.

 Gabby wasn't going to vanish. Not unless they ensured she had no way back.

 And now?

 It was time for the final step.

 One that Gabby would never bounce back from.