Layla had just settled into bed, her nerves still raw from the day's events, when a loud knock on her apartment door shattered the fragile silence. The sound was insistent, authoritative—too aggressive to be a casual visitor. She froze mid-motion, her heart hammering in her chest.
Her mind raced with possibilities. Who could it be at this hour? Another knock followed, more forceful this time.
"Layla Carter?" a deep voice called from the other side of the door. "Open up. We need to talk."
The voice wasn't familiar, but the tone was unmistakable: this wasn't a request. Fear tightened its grip on her. Aiden's warning lingered in her thoughts. He had always been ruthless, and she knew he wouldn't hesitate to act if he suspected her of betraying him.
She tiptoed closer to the door, careful not to make a sound. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm.
"Donovan Enterprises security," the voice replied. "Mr. Donovan has requested your presence."
Her blood ran cold. Of course, it was Aiden. He had figured something out—or at least suspected enough to come after her. Panic welled up as she clutched her phone and quickly texted Ethan: They're here. What do I do?
No response came.
"Ms. Carter," the voice barked again, growing impatient, "we know you're in there. Open the door, or we'll be forced to take other measures."
Layla's breathing quickened. She scanned the room for an escape route, but her apartment was on the 15th floor, and there were no back exits. She had no choice but to face them. After a long pause, she cracked the door open just enough to see who was outside.
Two towering security guards in black suits stood there, their faces devoid of emotion. One of them stepped forward, planting a heavy hand on the door.
"You need to come with us," he said firmly.
"Why? What's this about?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"Mr. Donovan will explain everything," the guard replied.
Layla hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to run, but there was nowhere to go. Reluctantly, she nodded and stepped out, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.
---
The Long Drive
The black SUV waiting outside was as ominous as the guards escorting her. They ushered her into the back seat, sandwiching her between them. The interior was sleek but claustrophobic, and the tension in the air was suffocating.
Layla's mind raced as the car pulled away. Did Aiden know she was the mole? Or was this some kind of intimidation tactic to keep her in line?
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She discreetly angled her body to check the screen. It was a text from Ethan: Stay calm. Deny everything. I'll get you out.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to appear composed.
The city lights blurred past as the car sped through the streets, heading toward Donovan Tower. Layla had made the drive countless times before, but tonight, the familiar route felt foreboding.
One of the guards glanced at her. "Anything you want to tell us before we get there?"
Layla met his gaze, masking her fear with feigned confusion. "I don't understand what's going on. If this is about the leaks, I have nothing to do with them."
The guard said nothing, but the slight twitch of his jaw suggested he didn't believe her.
---
Aiden's Ultimatum
The car pulled into the underground garage of Donovan Tower, and Layla was escorted straight to Aiden's private office. The guards flanked her as she entered the room, their presence a silent reminder that she wasn't free to leave.
Aiden was standing by the window, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared out at the city skyline. The room was dimly lit, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension.
"Ms. Carter," he said without turning around. "Have a seat."
Layla hesitated but complied, sinking into the chair across from his massive mahogany desk.
Aiden turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "Do you know why you're here?"
"No," Layla said, keeping her voice steady.
Aiden tilted his head, studying her with a piercing gaze that seemed to see right through her. "We've had a security breach. Sensitive information about Donovan Enterprises has been leaked to the press. This has caused... complications."
Layla nodded cautiously. "I've heard about the leaks, but I don't understand what that has to do with me."
Aiden's lips curved into a cold smirk. "That's the thing—I think you do understand."
He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a folder, sliding it across the desk toward her. "This is a report from our IT department. It details exactly who accessed the leaked files and when. Care to guess whose name appears in it?"
Layla's stomach twisted into knots, but she forced herself to maintain a façade of confusion. "I don't know," she said softly.
"Your name," Aiden said, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "Would you care to explain that, Ms. Carter?"
"I... I don't know how that's possible," Layla stammered, her mind scrambling for an explanation. "I've never accessed anything I wasn't authorized to."
Aiden leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "You're either lying, or someone is using you as a scapegoat. Either way, I need the truth—and I need it now."
---
Ethan's Interruption
Before Layla could respond, the office door swung open with a force that startled everyone. Ethan strode in, his expression calm but authoritative.
"Aiden," he said smoothly, ignoring the guards who moved to block his path. "This is a misunderstanding."
Aiden's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"
"Ethan Cross," he said, pulling a business card from his pocket and sliding it onto the desk. "Layla's legal counsel."
Layla blinked in shock, her heart pounding as Ethan took a seat beside her.
"Legal counsel?" Aiden repeated, his tone dripping with skepticism. "I wasn't aware Ms. Carter required representation."
"Well, given the circumstances, it seemed prudent," Ethan replied evenly. "You're accusing her of serious misconduct without evidence. My client has the right to defend herself."
Aiden leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This isn't a courtroom, Mr. Cross. And I'm not accusing her—I'm asking questions."
"Questions that imply guilt," Ethan countered. "If you have evidence, let's see it. Otherwise, I suggest you tread carefully. Defamation isn't something we take lightly."
Layla's breath caught. Ethan was bluffing, but his confidence was unnerving even Aiden.
---
The Standoff
Aiden's smirk faded as he regarded Ethan with newfound wariness. "You've done your homework, haven't you?"
Ethan shrugged. "It's my job to protect my clients."
"Then perhaps you should protect her from herself," Aiden said coldly. "Because if she's involved in these leaks, the consequences will be... severe."
Layla felt the weight of Aiden's words, but Ethan remained unfazed.
"I think we're done here," Ethan said, standing and placing a protective hand on Layla's shoulder. "If you have further questions, you can address them to me directly."
Aiden didn't stop them as they left, but his gaze followed them out, cold and calculating.