Isabella spent the next few days in the shadows, her every move calculated and precise. The betrayal of a leak within her own company stung, but it had also fueled a fire inside her that she had never known existed.
She could feel Alexander's presence looming over her, his every move calculated to undercut her at every turn. But now, she was no longer reacting to him. She was strategizing. And she wasn't about to let him win this game.
In the quiet of her office, she stood before a large whiteboard covered in timelines, figures, and connections. She had drawn a network of all the players involved in the upcoming Evergreen Logistics deal. Alexander was too busy enjoying his recent victory with the Global Shipping Network merger to realize that he was vulnerable.
A knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Come in," she said without turning around.
Claire entered, holding a folder in her hands. "Isabella, we have a problem."
Isabella didn't look up from the board. "What is it?"
"Jacob," Claire began, her voice tight with worry. "He's been compromised. Someone within Blackwood Enterprises knew he was trying to get information, and he's been found out."
Isabella's heart skipped a beat. Jacob had been one of her most trusted allies—he'd worked at Blackwood Enterprises for years and had given her insider knowledge on everything from their internal structure to the latest business moves. Losing him was a setback she couldn't afford.
She turned to Claire. "Is he okay?"
"He's safe," Claire replied. "But we have to be careful. If Blackwood gets wind that he's been working with us, it could expose everything we've been building. He's going to lay low for a while."
Isabella paced the room, her thoughts spinning. Losing Jacob was a blow, but it wasn't the end of the war. Not yet. She couldn't afford to back down now. She needed to adapt.
"Make sure Jacob keeps his head down," Isabella ordered. "And get me everything we have on Blackwood's upcoming European expansion. I want to know everything. If he thinks he's ahead, I'll make sure he doesn't know what's coming next."
Claire nodded and left the room, leaving Isabella to her thoughts.
She sat back down at her desk, the weight of the world pressing on her shoulders. But in the pit of her stomach, she knew this was just another round in the game. She had to stay focused—her next move needed to be precise.
She picked up her phone, dialing a number she hadn't in a while. The line rang once before it was picked up.
"Isabella?"
It was Jacob. His voice was low, cautious.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her tone softening.
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "But things are getting more complicated. Blackwood's team is onto me. They're tightening their grip, and I'm not sure how long I can stay off the radar."
Isabella closed her eyes, her jaw tightening. "You've done enough, Jacob. Lay low for now. I'll handle Blackwood from here."
There was a pause, and she could hear the tension in his voice. "Isabella… be careful. Alexander isn't playing around anymore. This has become personal for him."
"I know," she said quietly. "But don't worry. I can handle him."
After a moment, Jacob sighed. "I believe you."
She hung up and leaned back in her chair. Jacob was right—Alexander had crossed a line. And now, it was no longer about winning deals or business empires. It was about something deeper. Something personal.
Blackwood Enterprises – Alexander's Office
Alexander sat at his desk, his thoughts churning. The meeting with Philip Langston had confirmed what he had suspected: Isabella Carter was planning something. She wasn't going to sit back and let him take the upper hand.
His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the message.
Ethan Reed: Carter's circling back on Evergreen Logistics. She's moving fast, and we don't know how. Get ready for her next move.
Alexander's lips curled into a smile.
"Let her come," he muttered to himself. He had no intention of losing. Not to her.
He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him as he thought through his next move. He needed to push harder—smarter.
He dialed a number, and after a few rings, the voice on the other end answered.
"Mr. Blackwood," the voice said, "everything is in place. We're ready for your orders."
Alexander's smile grew. "It's time to play hardball."
He hung up the phone and looked out at the city below. The game was changing, and it was time to move into the final round.
Isabella Carter had no idea what she was up against.
But soon, she would.