Chapter 9: The Friend Who Sold Them All
Chapter 9: The Friend Who Sold Them All
Adrian refused to believe it.
"No."
Damien didn't blink.
"His name is Marcus Hale."
The silence afterward was unbearable.
Marcus had been Adrian's best friend since college.
The man who stood beside him during business meetings.
The man who attended family dinners.
The man Adrian trusted more than anyone.
"Impossible."
Adrian shook his head.
"Marcus saved this company."
Damien laughed.
"No."
He pointed at the documents.
"Marcus saved himself."
Mariana took the folder.
Inside were years of transactions.
Hidden payments.
Fake contracts.
Offshore accounts.
Marcus wasn't just involved.
He was one of the architects.
Lucas scanned the documents.
"This is enough to destroy him."
Mariana shook her head.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
"Not yet."
Adrian frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"People like Marcus don't confess when they are cornered."
She closed the folder.
"They reveal themselves when they think they are winning."
Damien smiled.
"Exactly why Victor trusted you."
Adrian looked at Mariana.
For the first time, he saw something different.
Not just power.
Strategy.
She wasn't reacting.
She was controlling the entire game.
That evening, Marcus arrived at the Valmont estate.
He walked in confidently.
"Adrian."
He smiled.
"I heard there was some family drama."
Adrian looked at him carefully.
"Marcus."
"What?"
"How long have you known Mariana owned Vale International?"
A tiny pause.
Almost invisible.
But Mariana noticed.
Marcus recovered quickly.
"Everyone knows now."
Mariana stepped forward.
"Interesting."
Marcus looked at her.
"What's interesting?"
"You answered too quickly."
His smile faded slightly.
She continued.
"A person who hears shocking news usually reacts."
She moved closer.
"But you didn't."
Marcus laughed.
"You think I'm hiding something?"
Mariana smiled.
"I know you are."
The room became silent.
Marcus looked at Adrian.
"Are you really listening to her?"
Adrian didn't answer.
That was the first time Marcus realized something had changed.
Adrian no longer protected him.
Mariana watched him carefully.
Because she knew the truth.
Marcus wasn't the biggest threat.
He was only a piece.
Someone else was controlling him.
Someone powerful enough to manipulate Vivienne.
Someone powerful enough to kill Victor Valmont.
Then Marcus received a message.
His phone vibrated.
He glanced down.
And immediately became nervous.
Mariana noticed.
"Who sent that?"
"Nobody."
She held out her hand.
"Give me the phone."
Marcus laughed.
"You don't control me."
Mariana looked at him calmly.
"No."
A pause.
"But I control what happens next."
Marcus stared.
Because behind Mariana stood Adrian.
And for the first time...
Adrian was standing beside her.
Not against her.
Marcus slowly stepped back.
The alliance he depended on was collapsing.
But before he left, Mariana said something that stopped him.
"Tell your employer..."
Marcus froze.
"...the game is over."
His face turned pale.
Because Mariana had just confirmed the one thing he feared.
She knew there was someone above him.
Someone hidden.
Someone pulling every string.
May you like
And now...
she was coming for them.
