Chapter 6: The Clock is Ticking

Roy stood still, his hands clenched into fists.

Betheul had made his move, and Sheila had walked right into his trap.

Sheila wiped her tears, but Roy could see the fear in her eyes. The way she held herself, the way her shoulders shook—she was terrified.

But Roy wasn't about to let fear win.

"Tell me everything," he said, his voice steady. "No more hiding."

Sheila hesitated. Then, in a whisper, she said, "He wants me back, Roy. He gave me until tomorrow night to decide. If I don't go to him… he'll release everything."

Roy's jaw tightened. "And you were planning to leave?"

Sheila lowered her gaze. "I thought it was the only way to protect you."

Roy stepped forward, his voice firm. "Leaving me won't protect me, Sheila. It'll destroy us both."

Sheila sniffed, looking up at him. "But if those pictures get out—"

"Then we face it," Roy interrupted. "Together."

Sheila blinked. "You don't understand, Roy. These aren't just any pictures. They involve powerful people. If Betheul leaks them, it won't just ruin me—it'll put both of us in danger."

Roy inhaled sharply. He understood the weight of what she was saying.

Betheul wasn't just a man from Sheila's past.

He was a predator. A man who thrived on control.

And he wasn't going to let Sheila go without a fight.

Roy turned away, his mind racing. He had always believed in doing the right thing. In standing by the truth.

But what if the truth wasn't enough?

What if they needed to fight dirty?

Roy clenched his fists.

If Betheul wanted a battle—then a battle he would get.

---

The Plan

Roy sat at the kitchen table, his laptop open.

Sheila watched from across the room, her arms wrapped around herself.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

Roy didn't look up. "Looking for a way to beat him."

Sheila sighed. "You can't fight someone like Betheul, Roy. He's too powerful."

Roy finally met her gaze. "There's always a way, Sheila. We just have to find it."

Sheila hesitated, then slowly walked over.

Roy gestured to the screen. "Betheul is dangerous, right? That means he has enemies."

Sheila frowned. "And?"

Roy smirked. "If we find someone who wants to see him fall… we might have a chance."

Sheila's eyes widened. "You want to use his own enemies against him?"

Roy nodded. "He's not the only one with power, Sheila. We just need to tip the scales in our favor."

Sheila bit her lip. It was risky.

But maybe—just maybe—it could work.

She leaned closer, reading over Roy's shoulder.

And that's when she saw it.

A name.

A man she had once heard Betheul curse in anger.

Someone who had the power to ruin him.

Sheila's heart pounded.

"We need to find him," she whispered.

Roy looked at her. "Then let's do it."

---

A Dangerous Gamble

The next morning, Roy and Sheila sat in a dimly lit café, waiting.

Sheila's fingers drummed against the table nervously. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Roy reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Trust me."

Sheila inhaled deeply.

Then, the café door opened.

A tall man in a dark suit stepped inside, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

When he spotted them, he smirked.

"Well, well," he said as he slid into the seat across from them. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Sheila swallowed hard. "Hello, Mr. Donovan."

The man leaned back, crossing his arms. "It's been a while, Sheila. Last I heard, you were playing house with a businessman."

Roy tensed beside her, but Sheila placed a calming hand on his arm.

"I need your help," she said.

Donovan chuckled. "Help? From me? That's rich."

Sheila exhaled slowly. "It's about Betheul."

At the mention of the name, Donovan's expression darkened.

"I'm listening," he said.

Sheila glanced at Roy before turning back to Donovan. "He's trying to blackmail me. If I don't go back to him, he'll release photos of my past."

Donovan sighed, rubbing his temples. "That sounds like Betheul, alright."

Roy leaned forward. "We need something on him. Something that'll make him back off."

Donovan smirked. "And you think I have that?"

Sheila nodded. "I know you do."

Donovan studied her for a long moment. Then, with a chuckle, he pulled out his phone and slid it across the table.

Sheila and Roy looked down.

Their eyes widened.

On the screen was a video.

A video of Betheul—accepting bribes, threatening officials, and doing things that could land him in serious trouble.

Sheila's breath caught. "Where did you get this?"

Donovan shrugged. "Let's just say Betheul made the mistake of thinking he was untouchable."

Roy smirked. "Not anymore."

Donovan leaned forward. "You take this to the right people, and Betheul won't be a problem anymore."

Sheila stared at the screen, her heart pounding.

This was it.

Their way out.

Roy reached for the phone. "We'll take it."

Donovan smirked. "Be careful, lovebirds. A man like Betheul doesn't go down without a fight."

Sheila swallowed hard.

She knew Donovan was right.

But for the first time in a long time…

She finally had hope.

---

The Final Warning

That night, Sheila sat beside Roy in the apartment, staring at the video.

Roy had already made a copy and sent it to a trusted lawyer.

Now, all they had to do was wait.

A knock on the door made them both freeze.

Roy stood, walking over cautiously.

"Sheila," he said, his voice tense.

Sheila rushed to his side and peeked through the peephole.

Her blood ran cold.

Betheul stood outside, his expression calm—but his eyes burning with fury.

Sheila's hands trembled. "He knows."

Roy squared his shoulders. "Let him in."

Sheila's heart pounded. "Roy—"

"We end this. Now."

Sheila hesitated, then nodded.

Roy unlocked the door and stepped aside.

Betheul walked in slowly, his gaze sweeping over the room.

Then, he smirked.

"Well played," he said.

Sheila held her ground. "It's over, Betheul."

Betheul chuckled. "You think one little video can stop me?"

Roy folded his arms. "No. But the law will."

Betheul's smirk faded.

Sheila stepped forward. "You have two choices. Leave me alone… or watch your empire burn."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Then, after a long pause, Betheul's lips curled into a smirk.

"This isn't over," he said.

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out.

Sheila

exhaled shakily, gripping Roy's arm.

Roy kissed her forehead. "We did it."

Sheila wanted to believe him.

But as she watched Betheul disappear into the night, she couldn't shake the feeling…

That this fight was far from over.