The next morning, Seren awoke to the sound of quiet tapping on her window. She sat up quickly, heart racing.
A small drone hovered outside, a package strapped beneath it. She frowned. These people were bold. Too bold.
She opened the window carefully and grabbed the package. Inside, she found a single folder. No note. No name.
She opened it slowly. Photos. Documents. Names. Evidence of a conspiracy tied to her family's downfall.
Her pulse quickened. This was bigger than she expected.
Footsteps behind her made her spin. Alaric stood in the doorway, eyes narrowed.
"You opened it," he said.
"Yes," she replied. "I needed to know."
"You don't know what you're holding," he said. "These people don't play games."
"I can handle it," she said. She clenched her fists. "I've waited years for this."
Alaric studied her carefully. "Revenge is never clean. Be ready to get your hands dirty."
Seren looked at him, surprised. "You think I won't?"
"I think most people die trying," he said calmly.
---
Later that day, Seren tried to blend into the staff's routines, pretending to be the quiet, neutral wife. But her mind was elsewhere. She studied the photos in the folder, noticing patterns, connections, and names she remembered from her childhood.
One name stood out. Harlan Cross. He had been close to her father—maybe too close.
Seren's hands shook slightly. She wasn't expecting the anger to hit this fast.
"Relax," Alaric's voice said behind her. She hadn't noticed him enter.
"I'm not relaxed," she replied. "I can't be."
"Good," he said. "If you were relaxed, you'd be dead."
Seren swallowed hard. There was no exaggeration in his voice. None.
---
By evening, Alaric called a meeting in his office. He had gathered the senior staff. Seren was invited, though she wasn't sure why.
"You'll observe," Alaric said quietly as they entered. "Say little. Learn everything."
Seren nodded. She felt her pulse racing, but she kept her face calm.
The meeting began with reports. Numbers. Deals. Transfers. Nothing alarming. Then Alaric shifted the discussion.
"I want to know who is loyal," he said. "And who is not."
Eyes moved nervously around the room. People adjusted in their chairs. Some looked at Seren. Others looked away.
Alaric continued, "Any mistake. Any leak. And you're gone. Permanently."
Silence fell. Tension filled the air like electricity. Seren realized she was holding her breath.
One staff member whispered under his breath. Seren caught it: "This is insane."
Alaric's eyes flicked to him. The man's face went pale.
"You know why loyalty matters," Alaric said. "Because the wrong move destroys everyone connected to you. Including family."
Seren felt her stomach twist. That was exactly why she was here. Revenge and survival were two sides of the same coin.
---
Later that night, she returned to her room and went over the folder again. Harlan Cross had moved recently, but the documents suggested he would be in town tonight.
Seren's mind raced.
Alaric knocked lightly and entered without waiting for her reply. "You've been busy," he said.
"I have to plan," she said. "I can't just wait."
"You're planning to act?" he asked. His tone was curious, not angry.
"Yes," she said simply.
Alaric nodded slowly. "Just… be careful. The first move always decides the next few months. Make it count. Or you'll pay for it."
Seren looked at him. For the first time, she didn't feel fear. She felt the thrill of control—just for a moment.
"Then let's make it count," she whispered.
Outside, the city lights flickered as though anticipating what would come next.