Chapter 13: The Perfect Trap

For the first time since I married Nathaniel, I felt powerless.

The Lancaster family had backed me into a corner, and worse—Nathaniel had let doubt sink in.

I had underestimated them.

And now I was paying the price.

Two Weeks Ago – The Plan Unfolds

Daniel Lancaster was many things—arrogant, reckless, blinded by his hatred for me. But one thing he wasn't? Stupid.

He knew I was a threat. And he knew that if he didn't act soon, I would bury him before he had the chance to strike first.

So he did what every coward does.

He ran to someone more powerful.

James Harrington.

Vivian had been the one to arrange the meeting. She had spent years maintaining a civil relationship with the Harrington family, always keeping them at arm's length but never letting a potential alliance slip away.

Now?

She walked right into James Harrington's office and gave him exactly what he wanted—a way to destroy Nathaniel Lancaster.

"We can bring him to his knees," she had said smoothly, sipping her wine. "But we'll need your help."

James smirked, leaning back in his chair. "And why should I help you? You Lancasters are always so… untouchable."

Vivian smiled, a slow, dangerous curve of her lips. "Not anymore."

That was when Daniel stepped in.

"I have access to the company's internal servers," he admitted. "Not my father's personal ones—he's too careful. But the ones Evelyn was given."

Harrington raised a brow. "And you think throwing your father's wife under the bus is the best move?"

Daniel's eyes darkened. "She's not my father's wife. She's a problem that needs to be erased."

Vivian placed a gentle hand on Daniel's arm, like a mother guiding her son's anger in the right direction. "We're not just destroying Evelyn. We're ensuring that Nathaniel never regains his grip on the company."

James leaned forward. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Vivian's voice was silk. "By making Evelyn the perfect scapegoat."

One Week Ago – The Betrayal in Motion

Daniel needed access to my credentials, and unfortunately for me, I had trusted the wrong people.

One of Nathaniel's personal assistants—a woman named Claire—had always been close to Vivian. I had noticed their interactions before, the subtle way Claire's loyalty bent toward the old guard of the Lancaster family rather than me.

And I had ignored it.

That was my mistake.

One night, while I was reviewing files on my tablet, Claire entered my office under the pretense of delivering documents. She lingered, watching me, memorizing my passwords, tracking my movements.

Then, when I left my tablet unattended for just a few minutes, she struck.

A simple switch—my device for an identical one.

I didn't even notice the difference.

But Daniel did.

With that device in his hands, he had everything he needed.

My logins. My access to company databases. My emails.

And in just a few clicks, he funneled the stolen documents to an anonymous source—Harrington's people.

The leaks began.

The empire trembled.

And when the dust settled, all eyes turned to me.

Present Day – Evelyn's Downfall

I sat in my room, my hands clenched into fists. Nathaniel hadn't spoken to me in hours.

The board was in chaos. The media was tearing me apart.

And Daniel?

That smug, vindictive bastard was basking in his victory.

At breakfast, he had the audacity to walk past me with a smirk.

"Shame, isn't it?" he murmured. "How quickly loyalty disappears?"

I wanted to claw his eyes out.

But instead, I did what I never did.

I stayed silent.

Because if they thought this was over—if they thought I would just roll over and take the fall—

Then they had forgotten who the hell I am.

I would rise.

And when I did, I wouldn't just take back control.

I would burn them to the ground.