Dante and Leo exchanged a glance, recognizing the determination in Jillian's voice. She wasn't just angry—she was resolved.
"We need a plan," Leo said as they slipped into an alley, keeping their voices low. "Harlond isn't someone we can just expose without consequences. He has power, connections. If we make the wrong move, we'll be the ones who disappear."
Jillian took a deep breath, forcing herself to think rationally despite the emotions clawing at her. "We don't act yet," she said. "We gather more proof, something that can't be erased or silenced. If we're going to take him down, we have to make sure he can't recover."
Dante nodded. "And in the meantime?"
"We stay ahead of him," Jillian said. "If he wants me gone, let's make it look like I've backed off. He can't suspect that I know."
Leo smirked. "So, we let him think he's won?"
"For now." Jillian's gaze darkened. "But when we strike, it'll be a blow he never saw coming."
As they moved through the dimly lit streets, the weight of their decision settled over them. Jillian clenched her fists, her mind racing with possibilities. If Harlond truly wanted her eliminated, she had to be smart—reckless moves would only get her killed.
Dante broke the silence first. "We should lay low for a while. Make it seem like you've dropped everything and gone back to focusing on your exams."
Leo nodded. "Agreed. But we don't stop investigating. We'll dig deeper into his finances, his connections—there's got to be a weak spot."
Jillian exhaled slowly, her grip tightening on the strap of her bag. "We'll need eyes and ears everywhere. Camilla is still feeding us intel, but we need more. Someone close to him. Someone he trusts."
Dante frowned. "That won't be easy. The only people Harlond trusts are the ones who've already sold their souls to him."
Leo's lips curled into a grin. "Then we make someone turn against him."
Jillian raised a brow. "You have someone in mind?"
Leo's grin widened. "Let's just say, everyone has a price. We just need to find the right one."
Jillian's mind was already working through the possibilities. If they could get someone inside Harlond's circle to betray him, they wouldn't just be collecting information—they'd be dismantling his empire from within.
And when the time came, he wouldn't even see it coming.
Jillian and her team began their search for cracks within Harlond's empire, focusing on key individuals within his company. They needed someone close enough to his dealings, someone with access to his secrets but also a reason to betray him.
Dante compiled a list of executives and long-time employees, highlighting those who had recently fallen out of favor with Harlond. Leo traced financial records, looking for anyone who might have been shortchanged or cut off. Meanwhile, Jillian reviewed old news articles and insider reports, searching for any past conflicts that could be useful.
One name stood out—Martin Caldwell, a former senior advisor who had been pushed out of the company under questionable circumstances. Rumors suggested he had knowledge of Harlond's darker dealings but had been silenced with threats. If they could reach him before Harlond did, he might be the key to uncovering what they needed.
But getting to Martin wouldn't be easy. Harlond's company had eyes everywhere, and if he suspected Jillian was poking around, he wouldn't hesitate to strike first.
"We need a plan," Jillian said, looking at the others. "And we need to move fast."
That night, Jillian and her team gathered in their safe house, strategizing how to approach Martin Caldwell without alerting Harlond.
"We can't just walk up to him," Leo pointed out. "If Harlond really threatened him, he'll be paranoid. He might even think we're working for Harlond and refuse to talk."
"Then we give him a reason to trust us," Jillian said firmly. "We need leverage—something that proves we're on his side."
Dante tapped on his laptop, pulling up old company records. "Caldwell was forced out five years ago. Harlond made it look like a retirement, but the guy just disappeared after that. No interviews, no business ventures. Nothing. It's like he fell off the grid."
Leo frowned. "Which means he's either in hiding or he was paid off to stay quiet."
Jillian leaned forward, determination in her eyes. "Then let's find out which it is."
Their first lead came from an old news clipping—Caldwell's last known residence was a secluded estate just outside the city. If he was still there, it meant he had nowhere else to go. If not, they'd have to dig deeper.
"We leave at dawn," Jillian decided. "We approach carefully. If he's still afraid of Harlond, we need to convince him we're his best shot at bringing him down."
As the team prepared, an unease settled in the air. They weren't just chasing information anymore—they were stepping onto dangerous ground, one wrong move away from being targets themselves.
At dawn, Jillian and her team set out for Caldwell's last known location. The drive was long and tense, the early morning mist hanging low over the winding roads. No one spoke much—everyone understood the risks.
When they arrived at the secluded estate, it was clear the place had seen better days. The once-pristine grounds were overgrown, and the house itself looked abandoned. But Jillian wasn't convinced.
"We check first. No assumptions," she said, leading the way cautiously.
Leo and Dante flanked her as they approached the main door. It was locked, but a slight flicker of movement behind one of the curtain gaps caught Jillian's attention.
"Someone's inside," she whispered.
Before they could knock, the door creaked open just enough for a single wary eye to peer through. The man looked older than in the news clippings, his face lined with exhaustion and suspicion.
"Go away," he muttered, starting to close the door.
Jillian stepped forward. "We know who you are, Mr. Caldwell. And we know what Harlond did to you."
That made him hesitate. His grip on the door tightened, but he didn't shut it. "Then you also know I have no interest in getting involved."
Dante took a slow step forward. "That's the thing—we think you're already involved. Whether you want to be or not."
Caldwell's face darkened, but he didn't slam the door. That was enough of an opening for Jillian to press further.
"Harlond's planning something big. If we don't stop him, a lot of people could get hurt. If you help us, we can make sure you're not one of them."
For a long moment, Caldwell didn't respond. Then, with a heavy sigh, he opened the door just enough to let them inside.
"You have five minutes," he said. "Convince me."