Chapter 6: Shadows of Deceit
Isabel stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows in her office, staring out at the skyline of the city. Inside, her world was collapsing, even if the streets below were bustling with bustle. She felt choked by the scandal, by the charges, by the headlines. No matter how hard she tried to concentrate, the name Marcus Drake would not go away. Drake Marcus. A man whose past is as murky as his image. She had heard about him from rumors circulating in the business community; he was a man who thrived in the murky areas of legality. She had fallen to pieces when it was revealed that he might be the one responsible for the attacks on Bellamy Enterprises and the foundation.
She was unable to get rid of another nagging feeling, though. Was Alexander revealing all of this to her? Though uncertainty had seeped into her heart, impairing her judgment, she still wanted to believe him.
The buzzing sound on her phone broke her reverie. Alexander had texted me, saying, "I've set up a meeting. At seven o'clock tonight. Prepare yourself."
A gathering? With whom? Her phone rang fast and went straight to voicemail. Over the past few days, Alexander had been more and more reclusive, sometimes missing for hours at a time and giving hazy reasons. She wanted to think he was trying to make things right, but the further he withdrew, the more alone she felt.
At 6:30 PM, Isabel was pacing her apartment, agitated. The fact that she was still unaware of the details of the meeting Alexander had proposed worried her. The future of the foundation was at stake; therefore, she had to make sure that whatever they did tonight was the right one. At exactly 7 p.m., a black SUV pulled up outside her building. Alexander was wearing a tailored suit and looked sharp. His face was unreadable. He texted her instead of going to the door, saying, "Come downstairs. We are leaving.
Isabel grabbed her coat and headed down, her mind racing. As she approached the car, Alexander opened the door for her, but his usual warmth was missing. His face was tense, eyes forward, as if he were bracing for something.
She slid into the seat, glancing at him. "Where are we going?"
"To meet someone who can help us," he said flatly.
"Who?"
He hesitated before answering. "An old contact of mine. He has information on Marcus."
"An old contact?" Isabel asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Alexander's jaw tightened. "Because it is a complex matter. However, this is the only route, I assure you.
Isabel hesitated to ask more because of something in his tone. She didn't want to think he had something against her. Not after all that they'd experienced. However, she was growing weary of the concealment.
For the next half hour, they wound through the city in silence until they reached a poorly lit industrial district on the outskirts of town. The streets were deserted except for the odd passing car, and the buildings were ancient with decaying brick facades.
After putting the SUV in front of a warehouse, Alexander faced Isabel. "Remain near me. Say nothing until I tell you to.
She scowled. "Alexander, what's going on?" Who are we going to meet?
"You'll see," he spoke in a chilly, detached tone.
Isabel's heart raced as they got out of the vehicle. I had a strange feeling about the area. It felt too empty and too silent. Alexander showed her the way to a side door and rapped three times on a thick metal door. It creaked open after a tense minute, showing a hefty man in a suit who nodded curtly at Alexander before moving aside.
Isabel's gaze immediately focused on the man seated at the far end of the table as soon as they walked into the poorly lit space. His piercing face and unwavering eyes concealed his elderly age. Isabel thought of him as a guy to be feared as much as admired, and she felt uncomfortable around him.The man said, "Alexander," in a harsh voice. "It's been a while." "Too long, Victor," was Alexander's neutral reply. "I need your assistance." Victor turned to look at Isabel, a tiny smile dancing across his mouth. "And who is this individual? What action did you take recently? The contempt in his words made Isabel's stomach turn, but she forced herself to swallow her tongue after recalling Alexander's admonition.
Alexander snapped, "She's not involved in this." "We are here to discuss Marcus."
Victor laughed. "Oh, Marcus Drake." Is he still stirring up trouble? Did you not always know how to choose your enemies?
Alexander remained unfazed. "Are you in possession of the information?"
Victor curled his fingers and sat back in his chair. "Yes, I do. But there will be a cost.
Alexander's voice hardened as he said, "I'm not here to negotiate." "We've wasted enough time already. How much do you know?
Isabel felt her heartbeat increase as she could feel the tension in the room. Though she didn't trust Victor at all, Alexander's desperation terrified her more than anything else.
With a sigh, Victor seemed disinterested in the conversation. "Marcus has spent months organizing this. Alexander, he's not simply after your business. He wants to ruin everything that is associated with you, including your partnerships and reputation, and yes, he said, glancing at Isabel, "your little charity project here."
Isabel was having trouble breathing. How could Marcus, of all people, have such a strong personal grudge?
Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Why?"
Victor looked at her, amused in his face. "My dear, why do people in this world take action? Strength and Retaliation. Marcus is going to make sure you lose everything because he feels you wronged him.
Alexander balled his fists together at the sides. "What will he do next?"
Victor hesitated, as though he was enjoying it. By passing money via several offshore accounts, he has created the impression that Isabel's foundation is at the core of a money laundering operation. The emails you have viewed are only the start. You'll be done once they're out, since he has more ready to leak.
Isabel experienced a sickening wave. Though she had already been suspecting the worst, hearing it spoken so icily made her understand how vulnerable they were.
"Why do you tell us this?" Alexander questioned, a hint of mistrust in his voice. "How does it benefit you?"
With a wicked glimmer in his eyes, Victor grinned. "Let's just say that Marcus and I still have unresolved issues. I'm giving you an opportunity to intervene before he goes beyond what even I will not put up with.
Isabel shuddered at the evasive reply. She was caught in the heart of this man's risky game, as was Alexander.
"So what do we do?" Alexander asked, his voice low and measured.
Victor leaned forward, staring straight ahead. You can either use this knowledge to your advantage and fight back, or you can choose to give up and let Marcus win. But remember, he will bury you if you delay.
There was silence on the way back to Isabel's flat. Alexander grabbed the steering wheel with a firm line in his jaw and white knuckles. Isabel was hearing Victor's words over and over in her mind. Everything she had fought for, everything she held dear, was in jeopardy, and Marcus Drake was plotting to destroy her.
And then there was Alexander.
This man, who had appeared so unbreakable only moments before, felt like a stranger. It was hard for her to understand that he had relationships and affiliations that she was ignorant of. Alexander lived in a dangerous and powerful world where nothing is as it seems, and Victor's presence in their lives served as a sobering reminder of this. When at last they reached Isabel's flat, she turned to Alexander, her voice barely audible above a whisper. "What kept you from telling me about Victor?" Alexander groaned and rubbed his temples. "It wasn't something I wanted you involved in." I was trying to protect you.
Isabel shook her head, doubt weighing heavily on her heart. However, if you're withholding stuff from me, how can I trust you? How can I be sure you're not holding any more secrets?
Alexander gave her a glance that left her unsure of what was in his eyes—fear, perhaps, or sorrow. "I'm not perfect, Isabel. I'm not concealing anything else, though. You must have faith in me.
Isabel inhaled deeply as her mind raced with uncertainty and fear. She wanted to believe in the man she had grown to love, to embrace him for who he truly was. But after all that, trust felt like a fragile thing, brittle and ready to crack at the slightest provocation.
"We'll stop Marcus," muttered Alexander softly as he grabbed for her hand. "I promise. But even as they stood there, frozen in time, Isabel couldn't get rid of the impression that the true danger was just getting started.