Chapert 3∶The Unmasked Traitor

Liam stared at the documents Luna had provided, the harsh fluorescent lights of his office reflecting in his steely eyes.

Each page was a piece of the puzzle, but frustratingly, the puzzle wasn't complete.

It was like trying to assemble IKEA furniture with half the instructions missing.

"Damn it!" he muttered, running a hand through his already disheveled hair.

The evidence was damning, sure, but not a smoking gun.

It pointed to Henry's shady dealings, his siphoning of funds, but it wasn't enough to nail the traitor to the wall.

Doubt, that insidious little gremlin, began to gnaw at him.

Was he grasping at straws?

Was Henry too clever?

The thought of Henry slipping through his fingers, of his company crumbling under the weight of betrayal, sent a jolt of ice through Liam's veins.

He wouldn't let it happen.

Failure wasn't an option; he had too much to lose, including a certain ice queen who currently wasn't taking his calls.

Meanwhile, back at the corporate ranch, Henry was having a field day.

Like a kid in a candy store with an unlimited budget, he was wreaking havoc.

A crucial project, one that Liam had personally championed, was now spiraling into the abyss, thanks to Henry's "accidental" miscalculations and "unforeseen" errors.

The office atmosphere was thicker than a Kardashian's makeup.

Whispers followed Liam like a bad smell.

"Did you hear about the project?" "Is Liam losing his touch?" "Maybe it's time for new leadership." The knives were out, and they were sharper than a Ginsu set.

Liam walked through the office, the weight of the accusations pressing down on him.

He could feel the stares, the judgment, the barely concealed glee of those who wanted to see him fall.

It was like being the main character in a real-life version of "Mean Girls," except instead of Regina George, he had to deal with Henry, the corporate snake.

He needed a Hail Mary, a game-changer, something that would turn the tables so fast it would give everyone whiplash.

And he knew just where to find it.

Deep in the city's industrial district, hidden behind a facade of dilapidated warehouses and forgotten dreams, was Professor Thompson's laboratory.

Thompson was a legend, a genius, and a certified eccentric.

He was also Liam's last hope.

The lab was a chaotic symphony of wires, beakers, and blinking lights.

It looked like a mad scientist's playground, and Thompson was the ringmaster.

The professor, a wiry man with a shock of white hair that defied gravity, greeted Liam with a skeptical glare.

"Liam, my boy! What brings you to my humble abode? Surely you haven't come for a social call."

"Professor, I need your help," Liam said, cutting to the chase.

"Henry is sabotaging the company. I have some evidence, but I need something concrete, something irrefutable."

Thompson stroked his chin, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and intrigue.

"Ah, corporate espionage! How delightfully pedestrian. And what makes you think I would involve myself in such mundane affairs?"

"Because you owe me," Liam countered, reminding the professor of a past favor.

"And because this isn't just about money. Henry's actions are putting people's livelihoods at risk."

Thompson remained unmoved.

"Sentimentality? Really, Liam? I thought you were made of sterner stuff."

Liam's patience was wearing thin.

He knew Thompson was a tough nut to crack, but he was desperate.

He pleaded, he reasoned, he even groveled, something that went against every fiber of his being.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Thompson relented.

"Alright, alright! You've twisted my arm. I'll see what I can do. But don't expect miracles. My talents are wasted on corporate squabbles."

Liam left the lab with a sliver of hope, a tiny spark in the darkness.

He knew it was a long shot, but it was better than nothing.

The next day was the company's annual general meeting.

The atmosphere was electric, charged with tension and anticipation.

Liam walked into the room, his head held high, ignoring the whispers and the pointed stares.

He took his place at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Henry, sitting across from him, smirked.

He was practically radiating smugness.

He thought he had won.

He thought he had Liam cornered.

Oh, how wrong he was.

The meeting began with the usual formalities, but the undercurrent of discontent was palpable.

Finally, Henry stood up, his voice dripping with false concern.

"I regret to inform you that our company is facing a crisis," he announced, his eyes darting towards Liam.

"Due to mismanagement and questionable decisions, we are on the brink of financial ruin."

The room erupted in murmurs.

Liam remained silent, his eyes fixed on Henry.

"Therefore," Henry continued, "I propose a vote of no confidence in our current leadership. It's time for a change, a fresh perspective."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in.

He was playing his hand, and he thought he had a royal flush.

"Any objections?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Silence.

Then, Liam stood up.

"I object," he said, his voice clear and strong.

"And I have proof that Henry is the one responsible for this crisis."

He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a file.

He placed it on the table, the thud echoing in the silent room.

"These documents," he said, "show a clear pattern of embezzlement, sabotage, and betrayal. Henry has been systematically undermining this company for his own personal gain."

He then presented the evidence Luna had given him, highlighting the key transactions and suspicious activities.

The room was stunned into silence.

Henry's smirk faltered.

He opened his mouth to protest, but Liam cut him off.

"But that's not all," Liam said, a glint in his eyes.

"I have something else to show you."

He nodded to the back of the room, and the doors swung open.

Professor Thompson walked in, carrying a device that looked like it belonged on the Starship Enterprise.

"Professor Thompson," Liam announced, "has developed a technology that can trace the flow of funds and identify the source of any financial irregularities."

Thompson plugged the device into the company's server, and a series of graphs and charts appeared on the screen.

The data was irrefutable.

It showed a clear trail of money leading directly to Henry's offshore accounts.

The room erupted in chaos.

People were shouting, pointing, and gasping.

Henry's face was ashen.

He knew he was caught.

"This is a lie!" he stammered, his voice trembling.

"This is all fabricated!"

"Is it, Henry?" Liam asked, his voice dangerously low.

"Or is this the truth finally catching up with you?"

He turned to the board members.

"I move that Henry be immediately removed from his position and handed over to the authorities."

The vote was unanimous.

As security guards dragged Henry out of the room, kicking and screaming, Liam felt a surge of satisfaction.

Justice had been served.

The traitor had been exposed.

But the battle wasn't over.

The company was still in crisis, and Liam knew he had a long road ahead of him.

He looked out the window, his gaze fixed on the city skyline.

He had to rebuild trust, restore confidence, and win back the clients who had been scared away by Henry's treachery.

He thought of Isabella.

He needed to talk to her, to explain everything, to apologize for his past mistakes.

But he knew it wouldn't be easy.

He had hurt her, and he had to earn her forgiveness.

His phone buzzed.

It was a text message from an unknown number.

"He knows."

Liam frowned.

Who knew what?

And what were they talking about?

He stared at the message, a sense of unease creeping over him.

This was far from over.

He grabbed his coat, a determined glint in his eyes.

He had a feeling he knew where he needed to go.