The days had become a blur of business meetings, late nights at Eclipse, and mounting pressure from every angle. Ethan had known that corporate rivalry was part of the game, but what he didn't expect was how personal it felt. The sabotage targeting his empire wasn't just about business anymore. Someone was trying to tear apart everything he had worked for—and it wasn't just his company that was at risk. It was his future.
One rainy evening, Ethan and Mia sat together in his office, the hum of the city just audible in the background. Mia had been working with him more closely than ever before, helping him sift through the growing web of sabotage. It had become clear that the attacks were calculated, systematic, and personal.
"What are we missing?" Ethan asked, frustration lacing his voice. He flipped through a set of confidential documents that had come in earlier that day.
Mia sat across from him, leaning back in the chair, her arms crossed as she studied him. "You're focusing too much on what's happening within the company. Maybe the real threat is coming from outside—someone you trust."
Ethan looked up, his brow furrowing. "You're saying someone on the outside is feeding information to the rival company?"
Mia nodded slowly. "It's a possibility. Someone with access to your business deals, your team... your personal life."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, exhaling sharply. The thought of betrayal within his own team gnawed at him. Could someone close to him really be sabotaging his empire?
"We need to focus on the people closest to us. We need to figure out who has the motive, who benefits from taking down Cole Enterprises," Mia said, her voice unwavering.
As she spoke, Ethan's mind flashed to his sister, Lily. She'd been particularly quiet lately, though always offering support. But then again, Lily was often more perceptive than Ethan liked to admit.
"Maybe you're right," he said finally. "I've been too focused on the obvious suspects."
Mia didn't say anything for a moment, and Ethan could feel the tension between them thickening. It wasn't just the situation at hand—it was something more. Something unspoken, something neither of them could quite put their finger on.
Before Ethan could say anything else, his phone buzzed on the table, breaking the silence.
"Got to take this," he said, picking up the call.
It was his assistant, Jessica.
"Mr. Cole, we've just received an anonymous tip. There's an inside leak. It's someone from your inner circle."
The words hit Ethan like a punch to the gut.
"Where did the tip come from?" he asked, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside.
"We don't know yet, sir. But it's reliable. We believe they have access to sensitive information."
Ethan's heart raced. The only people who had access to that level of intel were the ones closest to him.
"Keep me posted," he said before ending the call. He looked up at Mia, his face hardening.
"Looks like we have our answer."