Chapter 13: Unraveling the Web
Ariana's breath caught in her throat as Gregory leaned back in his chair, his eyes shifting nervously as though he was weighing whether to reveal the truth. She had known from the moment she stepped into his office that it wouldn't be easy, but she wasn't prepared for how deep Adrian's manipulations went.
Gregory exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "You don't understand what you're asking for, Ariana. Adrian's not just some businessman playing at power. He's built an empire, and he's done it by crushing anyone who stands in his way. You think you can take him down? You can't. Not without destroying everything along with him."
Ariana didn't flinch. She was past being afraid. She was determined to bring down the man who had once held so much sway over her life. "Tell me what I need to know, Gregory. You're already in too deep. If you think you can walk away from this now, you're wrong."
Gregory's gaze flickered, a hint of fear now visible behind his hardened façade. "You're right about one thing—you're already too deep. But it's not just Adrian you have to worry about. There are people involved who aren't going to let you tear this down without a fight. This isn't a corporate takeover; it's a network of lies, bribes, and blackmail that goes back years. And I'm just a small part of it."
Ariana's heart pounded in her chest, the magnitude of the situation sinking in with every word that left Gregory's lips. This wasn't just about the company anymore. Adrian had entangled them all in something far more dangerous.
"I'll expose everything," Ariana said, her voice low and determined. "You think I'm scared? I'm not. I'll burn it all down if I have to. Adrian can't keep hiding behind lies and manipulation. The world needs to know what he's done."
Gregory sat forward, his eyes narrowing. "You really don't get it, do you? You think it's just Adrian you're fighting? There are people—powerful people—who will protect him. And if you go after him, you're going to be putting yourself and Lucas in the crosshairs. This isn't just a business deal gone wrong. It's a war, and you're stepping into it blind."
Ariana didn't back down. "I don't need to understand all the politics. I need to end this. For good."
Gregory's gaze softened, though there was a sadness to it. "You're right, Ariana. You're in over your head, and I've been trying to warn you. But if you really want to bring Adrian down, you need more than just your determination. You need a plan. A smart one."
Ariana paused, considering his words. She wasn't sure she could trust Gregory fully, but she knew that if she wanted to take down Adrian, she would need to outplay him—at his own game.
"What do you know?" Ariana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gregory leaned in closer, speaking with an urgency she hadn't seen in him before. "Adrian's been laundering money through several shell companies. He's been bribing key government officials and even using underhanded tactics to get intel on his competitors. And his latest venture is something far worse—he's involved in illegal arms dealing."
Ariana's eyes widened, her mind racing as she processed the new information. "Arms dealing? Are you sure?"
Gregory nodded solemnly. "I've seen the records. I've been helping him cover it up, feeding him information to keep his dealings clean. But I can't keep doing this, Ariana. I've made my choice, and I'm willing to help you. But you need to act fast. Adrian's already made his move."
Ariana's stomach churned. She had known Adrian was dangerous, but this? This was beyond anything she could have imagined. And the worst part was, she had been so blind to it all. For years, she had trusted him, loved him—only to realize he had been playing her, just like everyone else.
"You said you would help me," Ariana said, her voice cold. "So start helping. What do I need to do?"
Gregory hesitated, then slid a folder across the table toward her. "This is everything I've gathered. Bank transfers, meeting logs, names of key players. If you expose this, it'll bring him down—but it'll also drag a lot of people down with him. Are you ready for that?"
Ariana took the folder, her fingers gripping the edges as she considered the weight of his words. This wasn't just about her marriage or the company anymore. This was about justice—about stopping Adrian's reign of terror before it destroyed anyone else.
"I'm ready," she said firmly. "I've been ready for this my whole life. I won't let him win."
Gregory looked at her one last time, a mixture of pity and admiration in his eyes. "You're a brave woman, Ariana. I hope you know what you're getting into. If Adrian finds out about this, it won't just be your life at risk."
"I know the stakes," Ariana said, her voice unwavering. "But I'll take whatever comes. It's time to end this."
---
As she left Gregory's office, Ariana felt a strange mix of relief and fear. The pieces were falling into place, and yet, the more she uncovered, the more terrifying it became. She was walking into the lion's den, and there was no turning back.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see Lucas's name on the screen. Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't told him about the meeting with Gregory. She hadn't told him just how dangerous things had become.
"Lucas," she said when she answered the call, her voice barely steady. "We need to talk."
"Where are you?" he asked, his tone instantly concerned. "I'm starting to get worried."
Ariana took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I'm on my way home. But we need to meet—now. It's worse than I thought. Adrian is involved in something far more dangerous than I ever imagined. And we need to act fast."