The mastermind

Leyla grabbed Arif by the collar, her grip tight, her hands shaking with rage.

"It was you!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the office. "Because of you, Hayat betrayed me! You turned everyone against me! And those men that night… it was you who sent them!"

Her voice was so loud that the entire office fell silent. Staff outside flinched, exchanging nervous glances, too scared to even knock.

Arif tried to pull away, but Leyla didn't let go.

Ozan, still in shock, finally stepped forward. "Leyla—let him go."

But she ignored him, shaking Arif violently. "You destroyed everything! Why?! What the hell did I ever do to you?!"

Arif let out a low chuckle, his lips curling into a smirk despite Leyla's iron grip on his collar.

"Oh, Leyla… you still don't get it, do you?" he sneered. "This was never about you. You were just… collateral damage."

Leyla's breath hitched. Her fingers trembled against the fabric of his suit.

"Collateral damage?" she repeated, her voice dangerously low.

Ozan stepped in, gripping her wrist. "That's enough, Leyla. Let go."

But she yanked her arm away, eyes still locked onto Arif.

"You ruined my life, and you think I'll just let that go?" she spat.

Arif tilted his head, looking unbothered. "Oh, sweetheart. If you think this is ruined, just wait—"

Before he could finish, Leyla punched him. Hard. Right across the face.

Gasps echoed from the doorway as some staff peeked inside, shocked.

Arif stumbled back, wiping blood from his lip, his smirk still intact.

Ozan, his expression unreadable, grabbed Leyla's arm. "I said that's enough!" His voice was harsher now, almost desperate.

But Leyla wasn't done. Her entire world had burned because of Arif. Because of his lies, his games.

And she wasn't leaving without answers.

Arif finally spit it out "I tried to kill you because you were in Ozan's life."

"So that's it?" she hissed. "You wanted me gone just because I was in Ozan's life? Because he was… happy?"

Arif chuckled darkly, wiping the blood from his lip. His eyes gleamed with cruelty. "Happiness?" he mocked. "Ozan doesn't deserve that. Not when he's been nothing but a stain on this family. A mistake."

Ozan stood frozen. His hands clenched into fists, his face blank—too blank.

Leyla felt something burn in her chest. A mix of anger and something deeper—something painful.

"You're disgusting," she spat. "You tried to have me killed over your pathetic jealousy?"

Arif smirked. "And yet, you're still here. Guess I should have aimed better."

That was it.

Leyla lunged.

But this time, Ozan grabbed her, pulling her back before she could strike.

"Let me go, Ozan!" she struggled, but his grip was like iron.

"No," he said, voice low, dangerous. "He's not worth it."

But Leyla wasn't done. She turned back to Arif, her eyes burning with fury.

"You wanted me dead?" she whispered. "Fine. Try again."

Arif's smirk faltered.

"But if you fail," she continued, stepping closer, deadly calm, "I will make sure you're the one who disappears instead."

Without thinking, she lunged at Arif, her fist aimed straight for his smug face.

But before she could land the punch, strong arms wrapped around her waist—pulling her back with force.

"Let me go, Ozan!" she yelled, struggling hard against his grip. But he held her tight, his chest pressed against her back, locking her in place.

"Enough, Leyla!" Ozan's voice was sharp, almost desperate. "He wants you to lose control—don't give him that."

But Leyla didn't care. She thrashed in his hold, fury shaking her entire body. "He tried to kill me, Ozan! Let me go!"

"No." His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her closer, grounding her. "I won't."

Arif laughed mockingly. "Look at you, Ozan. Always cleaning up after her.."

Leyla froze.

Ozan went still too.