The grand hallway leading to Aiden's office stretched before them like a path to doom. Layla's heart raced with every step, her mind replaying Danielle's instructions. She clutched her clutch purse, which concealed the data skimmer, and forced herself to exude confidence, hoping no one would notice the fear simmering beneath the surface.
Ethan walked beside her, his hand resting lightly on her lower back, a gesture of support that didn't go unnoticed by the occasional guests passing them in the corridor. He leaned in, his voice a whisper. "Remember, if anything feels off, we pull the plug. No heroics."
Layla gave a subtle nod, but deep down, she knew there was no turning back. They had come too far, and the stakes were too high.
---
Aiden's Office
They reached the door to Aiden's private office, its sleek mahogany surface gleaming under the dim hallway lights. Layla glanced at Ethan, who nodded. Danielle's forged access card slid into the electronic lock, and a soft click signaled their entry.
Inside, the room was immaculate—sharp lines, modern furnishings, and a large desk dominating the space. A single wall boasted shelves lined with books and a few discreetly placed awards. But Layla's attention was drawn to the far side, where a state-of-the-art computer setup waited.
"Let's make this quick," Ethan murmured, closing the door behind them.
Layla moved swiftly, pulling the data skimmer from her purse and plugging it into the main terminal. The device lit up, its tiny screen displaying a loading bar as it began extracting data.
"How long will it take?" Ethan asked, his voice tight with tension.
"Danielle said about five minutes," Layla replied, her eyes glued to the device.
Five minutes felt like an eternity. Every sound from the gala seemed amplified—a distant laugh, the clink of glasses, footsteps that might or might not be approaching. Layla's pulse thundered in her ears, and she fought the urge to glance at the door every few seconds.
---
A Sudden Interruption
Two minutes in, a muffled voice came from outside the office. Layla froze.
"Someone's coming," Ethan hissed, moving to stand beside her.
She yanked the device from the terminal and slipped it back into her purse just as the doorknob turned. There was no time to hide or make an excuse. The door opened, and Layla's stomach dropped.
Aiden stepped in, his presence as commanding as ever. He wore a sharp tuxedo, his dark eyes narrowing as they landed on Layla and Ethan.
"What are you two doing here?" His voice was calm but laced with suspicion.
Layla's mind raced for an explanation. "We… we got lost," she stammered. "This place is massive, and I thought this was the powder room."
Aiden's lips curved into a cold smile. "And you brought him along?" He gestured toward Ethan.
Layla forced a laugh, playing the part of a slightly tipsy guest. "Ethan's terrible with directions. I made him escort me so I wouldn't wander into anything… inappropriate."
Aiden's gaze flicked between them, his expression unreadable. "This is my private office. I don't recall inviting guests here."
Before Layla could respond, Ethan stepped forward, his voice smooth and confident. "Apologies, Aiden. We didn't mean to intrude. I was showing Layla around, and we took a wrong turn. It won't happen again."
For a long moment, Aiden said nothing, the tension in the room palpable. Then he stepped aside, gesturing toward the door. "You're right—it won't. Get back to the party. Now."
Layla and Ethan didn't need to be told twice. They slipped past Aiden, their pace steady but quick. The moment they were out of earshot, Layla let out a shaky breath.
"That was too close," she whispered.
"We're not out of this yet," Ethan replied, his eyes scanning the crowd as they rejoined the gala.
---
The Escape
Danielle caught sight of them from across the room, her sharp gaze assessing their expressions. She approached with a glass of champagne in hand, her smile perfectly in place.
"Well?" she asked, her voice low enough to avoid being overheard.
"We got the data," Layla said, her grip tightening on her purse. "But Aiden caught us in his office. I think he's suspicious."
Danielle's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered. "Then we need to leave. Now."
She guided them toward a side exit, keeping up the appearance of casual conversation. The air outside was cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the heated tension inside the venue.
"Where do we go from here?" Layla asked once they were safely away from the building.
Danielle glanced around to ensure they weren't being followed. "We analyze the data, find the smoking gun, and deliver it to the whistleblower network. But we'll have to move fast. If Aiden figures out what we've done, he won't hesitate to retaliate."
---
Uncovering the Truth
Back at Ethan's safehouse, Layla connected the data skimmer to her laptop. The files began to load, revealing a treasure trove of incriminating evidence: emails, financial transactions, and detailed plans for the upcoming deal Danielle had mentioned.
"There's enough here to bury him," Ethan said, scrolling through the files.
"But it's not just about Aiden," Layla murmured, pointing to a folder labeled 'Partners.' She opened it, revealing a list of names and organizations tied to the deal.
Danielle leaned over her shoulder, her expression grim. "These people aren't just investors—they're power players. If we go after Aiden, we're going to make some very dangerous enemies."
Layla's stomach tightened. "Then we'll have to be smart about this. We need to expose him without getting caught in the crossfire."
Ethan nodded. "Agreed. But first, we need to figure out who we can trust. If Aiden has spies in his network, they'll know we've got this information. We can't afford any mistakes."
---
The Clock is Ticking
As dawn approached, the gravity of their situation became increasingly clear. They had the evidence to take Aiden down, but the risks were higher than ever. Layla couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking a fine line between justice and self-destruction.
"We'll plan our next move tonight," Ethan said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Get some rest while you can."
Layla nodded, though she knew sleep would be impossible. As she stared at the screen, the faces of those implicated in Aiden's schemes burned into her memory, she made a silent vow: no matter what it took, she would see this through to the end.