The cryptic phone call lingered in Layla's mind, the voice echoing in her thoughts long after the line went dead. She replayed the words over and over, trying to decipher the warning. "You're in danger. Aiden's not the only one after you."
Ethan watched her closely, his sharp eyes scanning her expression. "What did they say?"
Layla placed the phone on the table, her hands trembling slightly. "They said Aiden isn't the only one after me. And that everything I've worked for will be destroyed if we don't act fast."
Ethan frowned, pacing the length of the cabin. "That complicates things. If someone else is involved, we're dealing with more than just Aiden's vendetta."
"Do you think it could be someone from within Donovan Enterprises?" Layla asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"Could be," Ethan said thoughtfully, "or it could be someone from your past. Someone with their own agenda."
Layla's stomach churned at the thought. Her past was far from spotless, but she had worked hard to leave it behind. Still, the idea that someone could use it against her now felt like a cruel twist of fate.
"We need to find out who made that call," Ethan said firmly. "Trace the number, track the source. If they have information that could help us, we can't ignore it."
Layla nodded, determination replacing her fear. "I'll handle it. I know someone who might be able to trace the call."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Someone you trust?"
"Someone I used to work with," Layla replied. "They're good at what they do, and they owe me a favor."
---
The Hacker
Later that evening, Layla sat hunched over her laptop, typing furiously as she connected with her old contact—a tech-savvy hacker named Jax. The screen lit up with a secure chat interface, and within seconds, a message appeared:
Jax: Long time, Layla. Thought you'd disappeared.
Layla: Not yet. I need your help, Jax. Can you trace a call for me?
Jax: Depends. What's in it for me?
Layla rolled her eyes. Typical Jax. He never did anything without a price.
Layla: I'll owe you one. You know I always pay my debts.
There was a pause before Jax responded.
Jax: Fine. Send me the number.
Layla quickly typed in the details from the mysterious call. Minutes passed in silence, each second stretching into eternity. Finally, Jax replied.
Jax: The number's unlisted. Whoever called you knows how to cover their tracks. But I managed to trace the signal—it's coming from somewhere in Aiden Donovan's network.
Layla's heart sank. "It's someone in Aiden's network," she repeated aloud, turning to Ethan.
Ethan leaned over her shoulder, his face set in a grim expression. "That means the person warning you is likely working against Aiden from the inside. Or they're playing both sides."
"Why would they help me, then?" Layla asked, frustration creeping into her voice.
"Could be a setup," Ethan said. "Or it could be someone with their own agenda. Either way, we can't ignore it."
---
The New Ally
The next morning, Layla received an email from Jax with an encrypted file attached. The subject line read: "You're going to want to see this."
She opened the file cautiously, her heart pounding. Inside were surveillance logs, emails, and meeting notes that pointed to a name she hadn't expected: Danielle Clarke, Aiden's right-hand executive.
"Danielle?" Layla whispered, her mind reeling. "She's been helping me?"
Ethan's expression darkened. "Or she's been orchestrating this entire mess."
Layla scanned the documents, piecing together the evidence. It seemed Danielle had been feeding information to someone outside Donovan Enterprises, leaking sensitive details about Aiden's business dealings. But why?
"She's been sending information to a third party," Layla said, her voice trembling. "But there's no clear motive."
Ethan crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "We need to confront her. If Danielle is involved, she's either our biggest ally or our worst enemy."
---
The Confrontation
Later that night, Ethan and Layla drove back into the city under the cover of darkness. Their destination: Danielle Clarke's penthouse.
The elevator ride to the top floor was tense, each passing second filled with unspoken questions. When the doors opened, Layla hesitated.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked Ethan.
He nodded. "If Danielle is behind this, we need to know. If she's on our side, we need her help. Either way, we're not leaving here without answers."
They stepped into the penthouse, greeted by the sound of classical music playing softly in the background. Danielle stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass of wine in hand.
"I was wondering when you'd come," she said without turning around.
Layla's breath hitched. "You've been expecting us?"
Danielle finally turned, her expression unreadable. "Of course. You've been digging into my affairs, haven't you? Jax isn't as subtle as he thinks."
Ethan stepped forward, his voice steady. "Then you know why we're here. We need answers, Danielle."
Danielle sighed, setting her glass down on a nearby table. "And I suppose you won't leave until you get them."
Layla crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Why are you helping me? Why did you warn me about Aiden?"
Danielle smirked. "You think I'm helping you out of the goodness of my heart? I have my reasons, Layla. Reasons that don't concern you."
Ethan's patience wore thin. "Cut the games, Danielle. If you're working against Aiden, you're putting all of us in danger."
Danielle's expression hardened. "I'm not the enemy here. Aiden is. You don't know the things he's done, the people he's destroyed to get where he is. I'm trying to stop him before it's too late."
"Stop him how?" Layla demanded.
Danielle hesitated, then said, "By taking him down from the inside. And if you want to survive, you'll help me."
Layla exchanged a glance with Ethan, her mind racing. Danielle's words hung in the air, heavy with implications.
"Why should we trust you?" Ethan asked, his voice skeptical.
"Because," Danielle said, stepping closer, "you don't have a choice."