Chapter 7: A Tangle of Secrets
Isabel awoke the following morning to find herself in front of the foundation's doors, experiencing a sense of entering a battleground. Her mind was racing after all that had happened the previous evening, and she had hardly slept at all. The information regarding Marcus Drake, the warnings from Victor, and Alexander's growing withdrawal all weighed on her and threatened to engulf her in uncertainty.
She knew as soon as she walked inside that something wasn't right. It was quieter than normal in the office, which was usually humming with the enthusiasm of her volunteers and employees. She noticed some coworkers snuggled close to one another, their faces tight as they whispered in low voices.
As Isabel approached her office, her assistant, Tara, intercepted her. "Isabel, there's something you need to see," she said, her voice tight with worry.
"What is it?" Isabel asked, her stomach tightening.
Tara handed her a tablet, the screen displaying a news article. Isabel's eyes widened as she read the headline:
"New Leaks Further Implicate Isabel Carter's Foundation in Corruption Scandal—CEO of Bellamy Enterprises Linked to Shady Deals."
Isabel's breath caught in her throat as she read the article. The story was rife with exaggerated claims, twisted facts, and misleading information, linking Alexander and her organization to a network of offshore accounts and dubious activities. The fact that there were photos of her and Alexander together that were shot without their permission added to the suspicion. As she felt the shift beneath her feet, Isabel whispered, "This is getting worse." "How were these pictures obtained?" Tara shook her head. "I'm not sure, but it's all over the media." The ringing of the phones has not stopped. Some of our biggest supporters have made threats to halt their donations.
Isabel was devastated. Her passion and life's work served as the cornerstone. It hurt to witness it fall apart in front of her eyes. We must make a declaration. Put our public relations staff to work on it. We cannot allow this story to dictate the course of the discussion.
After giving a nod, Tara hurried away, leaving Isabel by herself to ponder. She knew there was no more waiting for her as she stood there. It was obvious that Marcus Drake was intensifying his attacks; therefore, she had to stop being passive. She had to take control of the situation if she wanted them to survive this.
Later that day, Isabel met with Alexander in his Bellamy Enterprises office. The tension between them was palpable. They had not spoken much since the previous evening, and the weight of their unresolved questions hung over them like a cloud of rain. Isabel said in a firm voice, "We need a strategy." "This is getting out of control. The media is eating us alive, and if we don't act soon, everything we have built will be destroyed.Alexander leaned back in his chair, his demeanor solemn but serious. "I know. I've already informed my legal counsel. They are putting up a fight, but sifting through the mayhem Marcus has created will take time.
"We're running out of time," Isabel yelled, her displeasure evident in her tone. "More harm is being done every hour we wait." People's trust in the foundation is eroding. within us.
Alexander clenched his jaw. Isabel, I am aware of that. But it will take time for us to resolve this.
With her patience becoming thin, Isabel tightened her fists. "We must be able to do more. We can't do anything but watch while Marcus triumphs.
Alexander's gaze was gritty. You really believe I'm unaware of that? Do you really believe I'm not doing my hardest?
The two of them looked at one another for a minute, their tension sparking like electricity. Isabel was feeling her doubts weigh heavily on her. Though there was something Alexander wasn't telling her, she still wanted to believe. She felt it.
At last, she broke the quiet. "Isn't there something you're not saying?"
For a split second, Alexander's countenance wavered before he straightened himself. Isabel, now is not the moment to—
"No," she cut in, her tone strong. "This is the ideal moment. Alexander, I need to know what you're keeping from me. I need the truth if we are going to face Marcus. Everything.
Alexander fixed his confused gaze on her. His silence stretched for a long moment, and Isabel's heart fell. After all this, she'd assumed he would at least trust her enough to be forthright.
Alexander eventually got up and turned to face the window. "I haven't told you about something," he said quietly. Concerning Marcus. about the reason he is pursuing us.
Isabel's heartbeat accelerated. "What's that?"
Alexander inhaled deeply and looked up at her. "Yes, Marcus and I were partners. However, it goes beyond that. We were more than simply business colleagues years ago. We had a friendship. Close companions. Together, we established Bellamy Enterprises. However, after learning that Marcus was engaged in illicit activities, including insider trading and money laundering, I had a choice to make.
Isabel's heart pounded in her chest as she listened, her eyes wide.
listened with wide eyes.
With remorse in his voice, Alexander went on, "I cut him out of the company."" The police looked into it when I reported him to them. Marcus lost everything, including his authority, reputation, and share in the business. He was enraged. And he vowed to hold me accountable.
Isabel's thoughts were racing as she attempted to take in this fresh knowledge. "So this is personal," she uttered quietly. He has other goals than Bellamy Enterprises. His goal is to ruin you.
With stern gaze, Alexander nodded. Indeed. And he's doing it now with the help of the foundation and you. He is aware that when he targets the foundation, he is targeting the two of us. His goal is to destroy everything that matters to us.
Isabel experienced a mixture of fear and wrath. "Why didn't you inform me of this earlier?"
Alexander said, "I thought I could handle it," in a remorseful tone. "I believed I could shield you from everything. However, I was mistaken. I had no idea how dangerous Marcus was, and now he has us both in his sights.
Isabel was momentarily lost for words. It was Alexander's quiet, not his background, that betrayed her. However, she could see the burden he was carrying as she stared at him—the fear, the guilt, the duty. Although he had made an effort to keep her safe, he had instead put her in more danger.
"We have to face this together," Isabel said softly. "Enough of the enigmas. Let's give up trying to protect each other by withholding facts. If we want to stop Marcus, we have to cooperate. Alexander's expression softened as he glanced up at her. "You're right. Isabel, I'm sorry. I should have told you all of this straight away. Isabel took a deep breath when she felt everything come full circle. So, what ought to we do? How is Marcus going to be stopped?Alexander looked at you with determination. "We go on the attack. Despite his belief that he is untouchable, Marcus is not flawless. If we follow the trail he's left behind, we shall uncover his actual self.
Isabel nodded, her resolve growing stronger. "And we'll clear the foundation's name. We'll show that we are unrelated to the corruption he has brought about. A slight grin appeared on Alexander's face. Yes, it is correct. It will not be easy, though. Marcus is sharp and dangerous at the same time. We have to move carefully. Isabel experienced a surge of excitement as their gazes locked. For the first time in days, she had clarity—a plan, a course of action. Though she was ready to fight back, there was a constant voice in the back of her mind informing her that there were other problems they were dealing with besides Marcus Drake.
At this point, neither she nor Alexander could see the darker aspect of what was happening. As they prepared to face Marcus, Isabel couldn't help but wonder whether it was already too late to stop what was going to happen. That night, as Isabel lay in bed, her thoughts buzzing with possibilities, her phone rang. She picked it up, expecting an Alexander message. Still, when she saw what was on the screen, her blood ran cold.
Unknown Number: "You think you know the whole story? Think again. The real threat isn't Marcus—it's closer than you realize."
Her heart pounded as she stared at the message, a chill creeping up her spine.