CHAPTER 47:
Clark paced the damp room, a single bulb swinging above his head. His fingers trembled as he reread the message.
Unknown Number:
"Meet me at the usual place. The documents are ready. Don't be late."
He muttered, "What now...?"
His lips pressed tight, eyes darting to the cracked window. He grabbed his jacket and slipped out through the back door.
The alley behind the old fish market smelled worse than he remembered. His steps echoed. It was quiet.
Too quiet.
He moved further in.
A soft voice cut through the silence. "Looking for someone, Clark?"
Clark spun around.
William stepped out of the shadows, calm but cold.
Behind him, Liam stood with two more men. Guns holstered. Eyes sharp.
Clark blinked. "What—what is this?"
William took a step forward. "This is the end of your betrayal."
Clark's eyes darted to Liam. "You set me up?"
Liam shrugged. "You walked into it yourself."
Clark swallowed. "You can't prove anything."
William chuckled dryly. "You really think we've been playing blind? We traced your call logs. Your burner accounts. Every cryptic meeting. Even this one."
Clark tried to back away, but William's men circled him.
Clark raised his hands. "Wait. Wait—let's talk."
William's eyes narrowed. "Talk? You should've done that before you helped Donovan try to bury my company."
"I didn't—" Clark started.
William cut him off. "Don't lie again, Clark. You leaked data. You fed them inside info. You even messed with Kate's car the night of her presentation."
Clark froze. "I—I didn't touch her. That wasn't me—"
"Then who?" William shouted. "Who else would know her schedule? Her route?"
Liam stepped forward. "Tell us now, or you're not walking out."
Clark looked between them. Sweat poured down his face.
"You're being used," he said quickly. "Donovan doesn't want your company. He wants you gone. Wiped. Personally."
William clenched his fist. "Why?"
Clark hesitated. "Because of your father. Donovan was his partner. Until your father betrayed him... and left him to rot."
William's jaw tightened.
Clark whispered, "This has nothing to do with business, William. It's all revenge."
William's voice was cold. "Then it ends tonight."
He turned to his men. "Take him."
As they grabbed Clark, he shouted, "You don't know what you've started!"
William didn't flinch.
"I know what I'm finishing."
**
Back at the mansion, Kate stood in front of the mirror. Her robe slightly open, revealing the small curve that wasn't there a week ago.
Joyce knocked lightly. "Ma'am, breakfast?"
Kate pulled the robe tighter. "Later."
Joyce looked concerned. "Ma'am, are you okay? You've been skipping meals."
"I said later."
As Joyce left, Kate sat on the bed, her hand on her stomach.
"You're getting harder to hide," she whispered.
She picked up her phone, hovered over William's contact.
Then she dropped it.
"I can't tell him... not yet."
She walked to the balcony, gazing into the distance.
"He's too cold now. Too lost in this war. If I tell him, he'll only push me further."
Her voice cracked.
"I don't want to raise you in silence. But I don't want to break, either."
Tears filled her eyes.
**
Flashback — 12 Hours Earlier
William stepped into the mansion, tired from the trip. He barely had time to remove his coat when his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
"Clark will meet someone at the old fish market tonight. It's your only chance."
He stared at the message, frowning.
Seconds later, Liam entered. "Boss, I was just about to—"
William handed him the phone. "Trace it. Now."
Liam's brow furrowed. "Who sent this?"
"No idea," William said. "But if it's true, it might lead us straight to him."
Jeremy joined them with his laptop. "Give me five minutes."
William turned to Liam. "We end this tonight."
Liam nodded. "Agreed. He's crossed too many lines."
Jeremy looked up. "Got the signal. It's a location ping from an old burner. Clark's been using it for weeks."
William cracked his knuckles. "Prepare the team. We move before sunset."
Liam raised a brow. "What about Kate?"
William paused. "She doesn't need to know."
Jeremy glanced at him. "She's been quiet lately. You two okay?"
William looked away. "She's distant."
Liam said gently, "Or maybe she's hiding something."
William frowned. "Like what?"
Liam shrugged. "Women only stay silent when they're hurting. Or when they're protecting something."
William sighed. "If she's hiding anything, I'll find out eventually."
**
Back to present—
Kate stood at the balcony, whispering to herself.
"If he can't even see my pain... how can I expect him to see the truth?"
The door creaked behind her.
Joyce entered quietly. "Ma'am, Liam just returned. He's with Mr. William."
Kate nodded without turning. "Good."
"Should I call him up?"
Kate sighed. "No. Let him rest."
But in her heart, the distance between them felt wider than ever.
And the words she needed to say remained locked deep inside.
Unspoken.
But growing louder.
With every heartbeat.
Clark's face turned pale as William's men dragged him to the center of the warehouse. He struggled, but the grip on his arms was tight.
"Wait—listen to me!" Clark shouted.
William stepped forward, holding a small tablet. "We've listened enough."
Clark's eyes widened. "What's that?"
William tapped the screen. "Everything. Every document you leaked. Every shady deal. Every message between you and Donovan. It's all here."
Clark's voice broke. "How did you get that?"
Liam grinned. "You shouldn't leave trails, Clark. You thought you were smart. You were just sloppy."
William's gaze was sharp. "I thought about handing you to the police. But then I realized—exposing you would hurt you more."
Clark's voice trembled. "Exposing…?"
William raised the tablet. "I uploaded everything to the internet. A secure server. Every news outlet has it now. By morning, you and Donovan will be nothing but ash."
"No… no, you didn't…" Clark collapsed to his knees. "William, please, listen to me. You don't understand what you've done—"
"I understand perfectly," William snapped. "You messed with my company, my people, my wife—"
"I didn't touch Kate!"
William's eyes narrowed. "But you knew. You kept quiet."
Clark shook his head, desperate. "Donovan forced me. He threatened my sister. I didn't have a choice."
William knelt beside him, his voice cold. "You always have a choice. You just chose wrong."
Clark gripped his shirt. "Donovan won't let this go. He'll burn everything. He'll come for you. For Kate."
William's face darkened. "Let him try."
He turned to Liam. "Let's go."
"Wait—William!" Clark shouted after him, "There's something you need to know!"
William stopped.
Clark looked like he was about to say something, then hesitated.
"I… I made a mistake. But Donovan's next move… it's not just about you anymore. He's targeting your family."
William stared at him.
"My family is none of your business."
Then he walked away.
---
Back at the mansion, Kate sat quietly in the garden, holding a small glass of water. Her hand hovered over her stomach.
Joyce sat across from her, fidgeting.
"You can't keep hiding it, Kate," Joyce said softly.
"I can. I have to," Kate replied.
"Why?"
Kate looked down. "Because he's not ready. He's not even present. He's cold. Distant. I don't want to be another burden."
Joyce sighed. "You're not a burden. And neither is the baby."
Kate closed her eyes. "You didn't see how he looked at me before he left. He didn't ask if I was okay. He didn't notice I've been throwing up every morning. Or that I've been crying every night."
Joyce placed her hand on Kate's. "Then tell him. Let him be a father."
Kate whispered, "What if he doesn't want to be?"
Joyce was silent.
The wind blew softly.
Kate stood up. "Until I'm sure… this stays between us."
Joyce nodded, though her face showed worry.
---
William stormed into the mansion, Liam trailing behind.
Joyce greeted them. "Welcome back, sir."
William didn't respond. "Where's Kate?"
Joyce hesitated. "She's in the garden."
William marched outside.
Kate turned as she heard his footsteps.
"You're back," she said.
William folded his arms. "Yes."
"You didn't call."
"I was busy."
Kate nodded slowly. "Of course."
He stepped closer. "We caught Clark."
Her brows lifted. "What?"
"He confessed. Sort of. And I leaked everything. Him and Donovan… every secret, every file. The media's already on fire."
Kate's eyes widened. "You did what?"
"I ended it."
"No," Kate said, shaking her head, "You've just started something worse."
William frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Donovan won't stay quiet. He'll fight back."
"Let him."
Kate stepped back. "This isn't just about revenge anymore, William. It's about us. It's about the people around you."
William stared at her. "Why are you so afraid?"
"Because you've changed," she said quietly. "You don't see it. You're not the same man I married."
William's eyes darkened. "And what man did you marry, Kate? The one who signed a contract? Or the one who protects what's his?"
Kate flinched. "Is that what I am? Just part of your assets now?"
He sighed. "That's not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean, William? Because I'm here trying to hold everything together and you keep pushing everything away."
William looked at her, confused. "What are you not telling me?"
Kate shook her head. "Nothing."
"Kate…"
"I said nothing."
He clenched his jaw. "Fine."
She turned her back to him. "Goodnight, William."
He watched her go, eyes narrowed.
Something was wrong.
He just didn't know what.
And she wasn't ready to tell him.
Not yet.
---
At the same time, Liam stood on the terrace with Jeremy, watching the news.
"It's everywhere," Jeremy said, scrolling. "Every news outlet is picking it up. Clark's emails. Donovan's fake contracts. Offshore accounts."
Liam nodded. "They're finished."
Jeremy tilted his head. "You think William's okay?"
"No," Liam said honestly. "He's not."
"You think he suspects about Kate?"
Liam shook his head. "Not yet."
Jeremy sighed. "When he finds out… it's gonna break him."
Liam looked toward the house, quiet.
"Or fix him," he said softly.
"But only if it's not too late."