CHAPTER 46
Clark leaned against the edge of the marble table, one hand in his coat pocket, the other gripping a cigarette he never lit.
The room was dim. The only light came from the chandelier above. Across from him, Donovan Grant sat back in the leather chair, legs crossed, eyes sharp.
"You're wasting time," Donovan said coldly. "This is the fifth week, Clark."
"I'm being careful," Clark replied, his voice flat. "You want Dray Corp to fall, not to come back stronger."
Donovan scoffed. "Careful doesn't win wars. It only delays defeat."
Clark stepped forward, leaning on the table. "You think I've not wanted to take William down from the first day I lost everything because of him?"
Donovan narrowed his eyes. "Then why the hesitation?"
Clark's jaw tightened. "Because one mistake, and we're both finished."
Donovan stood slowly. "Then let's stop waiting. The next board meeting is in two weeks. My men will infiltrate the finance department. Your job is to give them access to the main server."
"And if someone finds out?" Clark asked.
Donovan's smile was cold. "Then I make sure it's you they find."
Clark's face twitched. "That wasn't part of the deal."
Donovan walked up to him, face inches from his. "The deal changed. Either you finish this... or I finish you."
Clark clenched his fists. "You'll get what you want."
Donovan stepped back. "Good. Time's ticking, Clark."
**
Back at the mansion, Kate stood by the front door as the black car pulled up. Her hands were clenched at her sides. Her heart thudded.
William stepped out of the car, wearing black shades, suitcase in one hand, phone in the other. He didn't smile.
Kate stepped forward. "You're back."
He nodded. "Yeah."
"You didn't tell me what time you'd arrive."
He removed the glasses. "Wasn't sure. Got caught in a meeting at the airport."
She stared at him. "You didn't even sound like you missed me in your messages."
"I was busy."
She opened her mouth, then closed it. She wanted to say it. But the coldness in his voice froze her.
He looked at her. "Is something wrong?"
She shook her head slowly. "No. Nothing."
He walked past her into the house.
Kate turned around slowly. The words stayed stuck in her throat.
She whispered, "You don't even know I'm carrying your child."
**
Later that evening, William sat in the living room, sipping whisky. His phone was buzzing nonstop.
Kate walked in quietly, holding a tray with his dinner.
"You've not eaten," she said softly.
He looked up. "Not hungry."
"You've barely said a word to me since you came back."
He looked down. "I've got things on my mind, Kate."
"So I'm not one of them?" her voice cracked a little.
William glanced at her. "Don't start."
Kate placed the tray down harder than she meant to. "You left like a husband and came back like a stranger."
He stood. "Don't read into things."
"I'm not blind, William. I know you're hiding something."
He turned. "And you? What about you?"
She froze. "What do you mean?"
He stepped close. "I feel it. You're hiding something too."
Kate swallowed hard. "Maybe we're both just broken."
He stared at her, then turned away. "I need sleep."
She nodded. "Go ahead."
He walked away. Her hand gripped the edge of the table. The test kit was still hidden in her drawer. Her heart screamed to tell him.
But his silence told her not to.
**
Meanwhile, in a quiet alley downtown, Liam stood beside Jeremy, both of them crouched near a sleek black car.
"That's Carlos's car," Liam whispered.
Jeremy nodded. "Yes. He's inside the building. Now's our chance."
Liam handed him a small microchip. "This will track his movements, right?"
Jeremy grinned. "Every single one."
"Be quick."
Jeremy moved with quiet speed, slid under the back bumper and pressed the chip in place near the tailpipe.
"All done," he whispered, sliding out.
Liam looked around. "Let's go before someone sees us."
As they disappeared into the shadows, Jeremy whispered, "Let's find out where Clark hides."
Liam's jaw was tight. "And who he's working with."
**
Back at the mansion, Kate sat at the edge of her bed, her hand on her belly.
William's cold return had shattered her.
And now, the secret inside her kept growing. Silently and alone.
Donovan lit a cigar and blew smoke slowly toward the dim ceiling.
Clark's hands were shaking slightly. "You're playing too many games, Donovan."
"No, Clark," Donovan said, eyes dark. "I play to win."
Clark leaned forward. "I'm risking everything. If William finds out—"
Donovan cut him off. "William won't find out... unless someone tells him."
Clark's eyes narrowed. "Is that a threat?"
"No," Donovan grinned, "a warning."
Clark paced the floor. "This wasn't what we agreed. You promised if I helped bring down Dray Corp, you'd give me a share. Now you're acting like—"
"I don't owe you clarity," Donovan said sharply. "You work for me, not with me."
Clark clenched his jaw. "I should've buried William myself when I had the chance."
Donovan stood. "And yet, here you are—still hiding in corners."
Clark turned to him. "Don't push me, Donovan."
Donovan laughed. "Or what? You'll grow a spine?"
Clark's phone buzzed. He checked it—an anonymous message:
"We know what you're doing. We're watching. Choose wisely."
He froze.
Donovan raised a brow. "Something wrong?"
Clark quickly slid the phone into his pocket. "No. Nothing."
But inside, his chest burned.
Someone knew.
And they were close.
**
Back in the mansion, William dropped his suitcase in the corner of the bedroom. He loosened his tie and turned to the mirror.
His reflection stared back—tired, older, colder.
Kate stood at the doorway.
"You've changed," she said quietly.
He didn't turn. "Business changes a man."
"No," she said, voice firmer. "Pain does."
He looked at her then. "Why are you always looking for a fight?"
She stepped forward. "Because I'm tired of sleeping beside someone who's already emotionally gone."
"I never promised love, Kate," he said flatly.
"But you promised honesty."
Silence.
She walked up to him. "Look me in the eye, William. Do you still see me as your wife, or just someone under contract?"
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
Kate felt tears sting. "That's what I thought."
She turned to leave but paused at the door.
"I miss you, William. Even when you're right here."
He stayed silent.
And that silence broke her more than words ever could.
**
Meanwhile, Jeremy and Liam were in the surveillance van, parked three blocks from Carlos's estate. The tracker they'd planted earlier blinked on the screen.
Jeremy zoomed in. "There. Carlos just stopped near South Bay."
Liam leaned in. "That's where Donovan has his fake company registered."
Jeremy typed fast. "If Carlos is meeting someone there, it might not just be Clark. Someone else might be bankrolling this."
Liam looked up. "You think there's a third player?"
Jeremy nodded slowly. "Or worse—someone inside Dray Corp feeding them information."
Liam swore under his breath. "Let's find out who."
Then Jeremy's screen flashed.
"Wait," he muttered. "That's not Carlos's signature ID. That's... Clark's phone transmitting from the same place."
Liam's eyes widened. "They're meeting tonight."
Jeremy grinned. "And we're crashing the party."
**
At the same time, Kate sat quietly on the balcony, sipping ginger tea. Her other hand rested lightly on her lower stomach.
She whispered, "You're the only person I can talk to now."
Suddenly her phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number:
"You deserve better. William will destroy you when he finds out."
Kate's hand trembled.
Another message followed:
"He's still in contact with Gabriella."
She shot up. "No..."
She called Jeremy immediately. "Trace this number. Now."
Jeremy answered, "Already on it. That number's bouncing from an encrypted app. But Kate... something else came up."
"What?" she asked.
He hesitated. "Clark is working with Donovan Grant."
Kate's eyes widened. "What?"
Liam took the phone. "And we believe someone inside the mansion is leaking information."
Kate froze.
"I'm sorry," Liam said. "It could be anyone. Even someone close."
Kate whispered, "I think... it's Joyce."
"What?" Liam asked sharply.
"She's been acting strange. Too quiet. Too... careful."
Jeremy's voice returned, "Want us to investigate?"
Kate stared into the dark. "No. I'll handle her myself."
**
Later that night, William sat alone in the study, sipping whisky again.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
"Expecting someone?" Kate's voice broke the silence.
He looked up. "No."
She stepped in, eyes sharp. "Just got a message saying you've been talking to Gabriella."
He sighed. "I haven't."
"Then tell me why someone wants me to believe you have."
William stood. "Because they want to break us."
Kate walked closer. "Then tell me the truth. All of it. Are you hiding something else?"
William stared at her for a long moment. "Yes."
She felt her breath hitch. "What is it?"
But he shook his head. "Not now."
Kate blinked. "You're still keeping me in the dark?"
"I'm protecting you."
"You're pushing me away."
William walked past her. "You wouldn't understand."