The tension was unbearable as Layla and Ethan devised a plan to force Aiden's hand. It had to be bold but subtle enough to leave him scrambling without implicating them directly.
Ethan suggested leaking a small portion of the information they had uncovered to the press. A controlled release of evidence about Donovan Enterprises' shell companies would send ripples through the corporate world, potentially attracting the attention of rival executives and law enforcement.
Layla hesitated. "Won't that put me in even more danger? Aiden already suspects me."
Ethan nodded grimly. "It's risky, yes, but if we don't act now, he'll have time to cover his tracks. This might be the only way to get him to slip up."
Despite her reservations, Layla agreed. They drafted a carefully worded email to an investigative journalist known for exposing high-profile corruption. Ethan attached a single incriminating document, ensuring it was damning enough to create chaos but not enough to reveal the full scope of their findings.
"Once this goes live, everything will change," Ethan said, his finger hovering over the send button.
Layla took a deep breath. "Do it."
---
The Fallout
The next morning, the media exploded with headlines about Donovan Enterprises. The leaked document detailed the existence of offshore accounts linked to suspicious transactions, raising questions about the company's financial practices.
At the office, the atmosphere was electric. Employees whispered in hushed tones, speculating about the scandal. Layla kept her head down, feigning shock whenever someone brought up the news.
Aiden, however, was a storm of barely contained fury. He summoned his executive team to a closed-door meeting, his face a mask of icy control.
"Who leaked this?" he demanded, his voice dangerously low.
The executives exchanged nervous glances, but no one spoke.
Aiden's gaze swept the room, landing on Layla's empty chair—she hadn't been invited to the meeting, but her absence made her more conspicuous.
"Find out who's responsible," Aiden growled. "And double down on security. If there's a mole in this company, I want them exposed."
---
Layla's Disguise
Meanwhile, Layla met Ethan at a nondescript café to discuss their next move. Ethan was visibly tense, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a sense of urgency.
"Aiden's going to come after whoever he thinks leaked this," Ethan warned. "You need to be careful."
Layla nodded, her anxiety bubbling under the surface. "Do you think he'll figure out it's me?"
"Not unless we make another mistake," Ethan said. "But we need to stay ahead of him. He'll be working overtime to bury the rest of the evidence."
Layla frowned. "So what do we do now?"
Ethan hesitated, then leaned in closer. "We leak more—just enough to keep the pressure on him. But this time, we need to make it look like it's coming from someone inside his inner circle."
Layla's eyes widened. "You want to frame one of his executives?"
"Not frame," Ethan corrected. "Just divert suspicion. If Aiden's too busy chasing ghosts, he won't have time to focus on you."
---
Aiden's Paranoia
The second leak hit the news within 48 hours. This time, the information implicated one of Aiden's most trusted executives, Victor Carlisle, in the offshore accounts scandal.
Aiden's fury was palpable. He called Victor into his office, his expression cold and unforgiving.
"Explain this," Aiden demanded, shoving a printed news article across the desk.
Victor looked genuinely bewildered. "I don't know where this is coming from. You know I'd never betray you."
"Do I?" Aiden countered, his tone sharp. "Because right now, it looks like someone in this company is trying to bring me down—and you're at the top of my list."
Victor bristled. "You know me, Aiden. I've been loyal to you for years. If there's a leak, it's coming from someone else."
Aiden studied him for a long moment before leaning back in his chair. "Then find out who it is. And if you can't... you're expendable."
---
Aiden Sets a Trap
Later that evening, Aiden sat alone in his penthouse, his mind racing. The leaks were too precise, too coordinated. Whoever was behind them had intimate knowledge of his operations.
He picked up his phone and made a call.
"Activate the fail-safe," he said curtly.
The voice on the other end hesitated. "Are you sure, sir? It's... drastic."
"I don't care," Aiden snapped. "Do it. And keep an eye on Layla Carter. Something about her doesn't sit right with me."
As he hung up, a cold smile spread across his face. If there was a mole, they wouldn't stay hidden for long.
---
The Noose Tightens
The following day, Layla's computer suddenly locked her out, a red warning message flashing on the screen: "Unauthorized access detected. Please report to IT immediately."
Panic surged through her. She quickly texted Ethan: They've locked me out. What do I do?
Ethan replied almost instantly: Stay calm. Act like you don't know anything. I'll handle it from my end.
Layla forced herself to walk to the IT department, where a technician greeted her with a wary smile.
"Looks like your account was flagged for suspicious activity," he said. "We'll need to do a full audit to make sure everything's in order."
Layla nodded, feigning confusion. "I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"
The technician shrugged. "Probably just a glitch. Happens all the time."
But Layla could tell from his tone that he didn't believe his own words.
---
Ethan's Backup Plan
That evening, Layla met Ethan at his apartment, her nerves frayed.
"They're onto me," she said, pacing the room. "It's only a matter of time before they figure everything out."
Ethan was already working on his laptop, his expression grim. "I've got a backup plan," he said.
Layla stopped pacing. "What kind of backup plan?"
Ethan hesitated. "It's risky, but if it works, it'll force Aiden to reveal his hand. I'm going to leak his personal communications—emails, texts, anything that ties him directly to the crimes."
Layla's heart sank. "You're playing with fire, Ethan. If this backfires—"
"It won't," Ethan said firmly. "We've come too far to back down now."
---
The Clock Is Ticking
As Ethan prepared the next leak, Layla couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. Aiden's paranoia was growing, and his moves were becoming increasingly erratic.
She knew the final confrontation was looming—and when it came, there would be no turning back.