Ava's POV
I didn't want to come here. Walking into Victor Knight's lair again felt like walking into the lion's den. But desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Lucas had crossed every line, and if I was going to take him down, I needed someone who knew how to operate in the shadows.
Victor was sitting in his massive office when I arrived, his signature smirk plastered on his face as if he'd been expecting me. "Ava," he said smoothly, standing up and gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. "Have you given my proposal some thought?"
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "This isn't about your ridiculous offer, Victor. I have a deal for you."
He arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? I'm listening."
I took a deep breath. "I know you have connections. Power. Influence in your… mafia world." I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. "I want one of your men to get rid of Lucas. Permanently."
Victor's smirk vanished, replaced by a look of mild amusement. He leaned back in his chair and studied me, tapping his fingers together. "Ava," he said slowly, "you don't know what you're asking for."
"I know exactly what I'm asking for," I snapped. "Lucas has stolen everything from me. My company. My father's legacy. My peace of mind. He's a parasite, and the only way to get rid of a parasite is to eliminate it."
Victor chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But killing Lucas? That's not the solution you think it is."
"What are you saying?" I demanded, my voice rising. "You're one of the most powerful men in the city. You've probably handled worse. Why won't you help me?"
Victor sighed, standing up and walking around his desk to face me. "Because you need Lucas alive, Ava. Do you have any idea how many people are working with him behind the scenes? If Lucas dies, every finger will point at you. You've been publicly at odds with him. The police, the media, his allies, they'll all come after you."
"I don't care!" I shouted, tears of frustration streaming down my face. "Let them come. I'll deal with them just like I've dealt with everything else."
Victor grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. "Listen to me, Ava. You're angry. I get it. But if you act on that anger, you'll destroy yourself in the process. Lucas is a symptom, not the disease. If you want to win, you need to outsmart him, not kill him.
I shook off his grip and glared at him. "So that's it? You're just going to sit there and lecture me? I thought you were different, Victor. I thought you'd actually help me."
Victor sighed again, his patience clearly wearing thin. "If this is what you really want, then I can't give you what you're asking for. I won't risk my men or my empire on your reckless vendetta."
I hissed in frustration, spinning on my heel to leave. "Then you're no better than Lucas," I snapped over my shoulder.
"Wait," Victor called out, his voice stopping me in my tracks.
I turned back to face him, crossing my arms. "What now?"
Victor walked up to me, his expression unreadable. "If you're serious about this, if you're really willing to do whatever it takes, then there's only one way I'll help you."
"And what's that?" I asked, already dreading the answer.
He smirked, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "Marry me. If you're my wife, I'll give you everything you need to destroy Lucas. Power, resources, protection you'll have it all."
I stared at him in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" he said, his tone deadly serious.
I let out a bitter laugh. "To hell with you and your proposal," I hissed, turning to leave.
But before I could take another step, Victor grabbed my wrist. "Think about it, Ava," he said, his voice low and persuasive. "You want revenge. I want you. This is a win-win situation. But the choice is yours."
I yanked my hand away and glared at him. "I'll figure this out on my own," I said coldly.
Without another word, I stormed out of his office, my heart pounding with anger and frustration. I didn't need Victor or his twisted deals. I'd find another way to take Lucas down no matter what it took.
When I got home, I was a wreck. The walls felt like they were closing in on me, the weight of everything suffocating. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Somehow, my feet led me to my father's study.
The air was heavy with his memory, his books, his awards, even the faint scent of his cologne still lingered. I sat down at his desk, running my fingers over the worn wood, wishing for some kind of guidance, something to tell me what to do.
But all I could feel was anger and betrayal.
Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and called Chloe.
"Babe, what's wrong?" Chloe's voice was soft but alert. She always knew when I needed her most.
I took a shaky breath. "Chloe, I'm done. Lucas has taken everything from my company, my dignity... I don't even know who to trust anymore."
There was silence for a moment before she responded, her voice steady. "Ava, listen to me. You need to leave."
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Leave, babe. Get out of the country, keep a low profile, maybe even fake your death. Let Lucas and his goons think they've won. When you're out of the picture, his true intentions will surface. That's when you can strike back."
Her words sent a chill down my spine. "Fake my death?" I whispered.
"Yes," she said firmly. "Ava, you're dealing with a man who has no morals. If you stay, he'll destroy you. But if you disappear, he'll show his hand. And that's when you'll have the upper hand."
"But how would I even pull this off? Everyone knows me, Chloe. I'm the CEO or at least, I was."
She sighed. "That's the point. You've always been in the spotlight. Now, you need to step into the shadows. I know someone who can help you. Just say the word."
I leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. The idea was insane. Disappearing, faking my death... it felt like something out of a bad movie. But what other choice did I have?
"Alright," I said, my voice trembling. "I'll do it. Set it up, Chloe. But if this goes wrong..."
"It won't," she cut in. "Trust me, Ava. This is the only way to take him down."
Chloe stood up and came back holding a bottle of strong alcohol in one hand and a glass in the other.
She poured a shot for both of us, the liquid dark and almost dangerous-looking. She slid one toward me and grinned.
"Cheers to new beginnings," Chloe said, raising her glass high.
I hesitated for a moment, staring at the amber liquid in front of me. It seemed like everything in my life was falling apart, and I wasn't sure how much more I could take. But at that moment, the fire in my chest burned brighter than any pain. So, without thinking, I raised my glass and clinked it against hers.
"Cheers," I said quietly, before downing the shot. The burn slid down my throat like liquid fire, and for a second, it almost made me feel alive again.
Chloe smirked, watching me closely. "Now, don't forget to tell Madam Isabelle about your departure. She'll need to know. You can't leave without telling her. I know you've got your pride, but she's been like a second mother to you. She'll understand."
The thought of Isabelle brought a lump to my throat. She had been there for me when I didn't think I had anyone else. And now, I was leaving it all behind. My heart twisted, but I knew Chloe was right. Isabelle had to know.
I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the headache that was building. The stress was catching up with me, and I could feel it in every part of my body.
"You're right," I said softly, setting my glass down. "She deserves to know. She's always been there for me... But I can't... I don't even know how to say goodbye."
Chloe leaned back on the couch and crossed her arms. "You don't have to make it some dramatic farewell, Ava. Just tell her the truth. That you need time to figure things out. That you're not leaving her forever, just... stepping away for a while."
I nodded slowly, still unsure of the words, but I knew I had no other choice. If I wanted to survive this, if I wanted to get through the storm Lucas had started, I needed to disappear.
"Yeah," I said quietly. "I'll tell her. I'll go to her office tomorrow."
Chloe gave me a nod of approval. "Good. Now, what's next?"
I looked at her, suddenly feeling more determined than I had in days.
"Next," I said with a small, dark smile, "I'm going to make sure Lucas regrets everything. Every move he's made, every lie he's told. He won't even see me coming."
Chloe raised an eyebrow and grinned. "That's my girl. Let's get this done."