Alexander ran a hand through his hair. "This is only the beginning. They're escalating because they're panicking."
Marcus, who had been silently observing the exchange, spoke up. "I've enhanced security for both of you. New protocols, additional personnel. Richard's threats weren't subtle."
"What about our plan?" I asked. "Do we proceed as discussed?"
Alexander nodded. "With one modification. We accelerate everything. I want our suppliers secured by tomorrow and the technical enhancements completed within three days. The sooner we lock down our position, the less time they have to interfere."
"I'm concerned about what Richard said," Marcus admitted. "The way he looked at Eliza... they're crossing lines they haven't before."
Alexander's expression was grim. "Which is why we need to implement Phase Two of our plan. Marcus, are the documents ready?"
Marcus nodded, pulling out another folder. "All prepared. But are you sure about this? Once we start down this path..."
"We've already started," Alexander interrupted. "The moment my parents died, this became inevitable."
I looked between them. "What's Phase Two?"
Alexander met my eyes. "Insurance of our own. We're going to start laying the groundwork for a separate entity—one that can operate independently of Thornton Industries if necessary."
"Royal Crown," I whispered, recalling the documents I'd glimpsed earlier.
"Just preliminary preparations," Alexander clarified. "A contingency plan. For now, we focus on winning this contract and protecting our people."
As Alexander explained the details, I couldn't help but feel a chill. The stakes were higher than I'd imagined, and we were playing a dangerous game with people who had already proven they were willing to kill.
That night, as I prepared to leave, Alexander walked me to my car.
"Stay at the company apartments tonight," he said quietly. "The security is better."
"I'll be fine at home," I insisted.
"Eliza," Alexander said, his voice carrying a rare note of pleading. "Please. Just until this contract is settled."
I could see the worry in his eyes, and I nodded. "Okay. But only for a few days."
He seemed relieved. "Thank you."
As I drove to the company apartments, following the security car Alexander had insisted on, my phone chimed with a text from an unknown number. With trembling fingers, I opened it.
You should be more careful about the company you keep, Ms. Bennet. Not everyone is who they claim to be. Even Alexander Thornton has secrets that would destroy your trust. Ask him about James Miller.
I stared at the message, a chill running down my spine. I knew about James or at least, I thought I did. But something in the message made me uneasy. What didn't I know? And more importantly, could I trust Alexander with my life, as I was now being forced to do?
The security car ahead of me suddenly braked hard. I slammed on my brakes, barely avoiding a collision. In the headlights, I could see a black SUV blocking the road ahead.
Adrenaline surged through my body as I gripped the steering wheel. The black SUV blocking the road remained motionless, its windows tinted so dark I couldn't see who was inside. My security detail had already exited their vehicle, hands positioned near concealed weapons.
I fumbled for my phone to call Alexander when my driver's side door was yanked open.
"Ms. Bennet," a stern voice said. "I'm with Mr. Thornton's enhanced security team. Please move to our vehicle immediately."
Relief washed over me as I recognized the Thornton Industries security insignia on his jacket. I quickly complied, sliding into the armored SUV waiting nearby.
"What about my car?" I asked as we pulled away, leaving my vehicle behind.
"Another team will secure it," he replied curtly. "Your safety is the priority."
Twenty minutes later, I was escorted into Alexander's penthouse instead of the company apartments. The security team did a thorough sweep before leaving us alone.
"I should have known they'd escalate this quickly," Alexander said, his voice tight with controlled anger. "Are you alright?"
I nodded, showing him the text message I'd received. "What does this mean? About your parents?"
Alexander's eyes darkened as he read it. "Classic manipulation. They're trying to drive a wedge between us by suggesting I'm hiding something."
"And are you?" I asked directly, my nerves still on edge from the encounter.
"No more than what I've already told you," he said, running a hand through his hair. "My parents' accident was orchestrated by my uncles. I've spent years gathering evidence of their involvement."
Something in his tone made me pause. "But there's more to it?"
Alexander hesitated, then sighed. "The night they died... I was supposed to be in the car with them. I had an argument with my father earlier that day about college choices. I was supposed to join them for dinner to continue the discussion, but I was stubborn and stayed home."
The pain in his eyes was raw and real. "If I had been there, I might have died too. Or maybe they wouldn't have targeted them that night. That's the part I don't talk about—the guilt."
I reached for his hand, feeling my own eyes well up. "Alexander, that wasn't your fault."
He squeezed my hand. "Logically, I know that. But Gabriel and Daniel have always tried to use it against me. To suggest that I somehow knew or could have prevented it."
"That's cruel," I whispered.
"That's family," he replied with grim humor. "At least, the Thornton version of it."
My phone buzzed again—Marcus calling.
"You're both okay?" he demanded when I answered.
"We're fine," I assured him. "What's happening with the contract?"
"That's why I'm calling. The suppliers are getting pressured hard. Two have already backed out, citing 'unforeseen circumstances.' And the technical specs we submitted? Someone leaked them to Nova Tech."
Alexander, who could hear through the speakerphone, cursed under his breath. "They're making their move."
"It gets worse," Marcus continued. "The Global Tech Solutions board just announced they're moving up their decision date. We now have four days instead of two weeks."
"That's not enough time to secure new suppliers," I said, panic rising in my chest.
"No," Alexander agreed, "but it's enough time to change our approach entirely." His eyes had that dangerous gleam I was coming to recognize—the one that meant he was about to do something bold.
"What are you thinking?" Marcus asked warily.
"They've seen our technical specs? Fine. Let's give them a completely new proposal. One that doesn't rely on the suppliers they're threatening."
I stared at him. "In four days? That's impossible."
"Not if we work with what we already have," Alexander countered. "The Miyazaki acquisition gives us access to their proprietary technology. We haven't announced the finalization yet. Nova Tech doesn't know we control those patents."
Understanding dawned on me. "We could integrate their systems into our proposal..."
"Exactly," Alexander nodded. "Marcus, assemble the technical team. We're going to work around the clock."
"On it," Marcus replied. "Stay safe, both of you."
After hanging up, Alexander turned to me. "I understand if you want to step back. This is becoming more dangerous than I anticipated."
"Are you kidding?" I raised an eyebrow. "I'm already targeted. Might as well see this through."
He smiled—a rare, genuine smile that made my heart skip. "You're remarkable, Eliza."
The next morning, our war room was fully operational. Alexander had converted his penthouse living room into a command center, with enhanced security stationed throughout the building. Technical experts, legal advisors, and our most trusted team members worked in shifts, rebuilding our proposal from the ground up.
By the second day, I was running on coffee and determination. Alexander hadn't slept at all, moving from one group to another, providing guidance and making critical decisions. The new proposal was taking shape—an innovative approach that would revolutionize telecommunications infrastructure while being impossible for Nova Tech to replicate.
While reviewing the financial projections, my phone buzzed with a text from my mother.
Eliza, darling, why didn't you tell me you were featured in the business section? So proud of you!
My blood ran cold. I hadn't given any interviews or been featured in any publications recently. I quickly searched my name online and found the article from that morning: "Thornton Industries' Rising Star: Elizabeth Bennet's Intimate Connection to CEO Alexander Thornton."
The article was filled with personal details and insinuations about our relationship, complete with photos of us entering his penthouse building—taken just yesterday. At the bottom was a quote from an "anonymous source" suggesting I was using my position to influence the Global Tech Solutions contract.
"Alexander," I called out, my voice strained. He looked up from his work, immediately alert at my tone.
"They're making it personal," I said, showing him the article.
His jaw tightened as he read. "This is Daniel's style. Character assassination before the actual attack."
"What do we do?"
"Nothing," he said firmly. "Responding only legitimizes it. We stay focused on the contract."
Marcus appeared with a tablet. "Have you seen this? It's trending."
"We've seen it," Alexander confirmed. "Any progress on the security breach?"
"Better than progress," Marcus grinned. "We caught them. The leak came from Paula in Engineering, but she didn't realize what she was doing. They approached her posing as IT, asked her to verify some technical details. Classic social engineering."
"Is she trustworthy?" I asked.
"Yes," Marcus nodded. "Just embarrassed and horrified. She's helping us trace back the contact."
A security officer approached. "Mr. Thornton, there's a delivery for Ms. Bennet. It's been scanned and cleared."
A small package was brought in. With trepidation, I opened it to find a beautiful antique locket. There was no note, but inside the locket was a tiny photograph—one I recognized immediately. It showed my father, much younger, smiling at the camera.
My father had passed away when I was twelve. This particular photo had been on his desk, and disappeared after his death. I had searched for it for years.
"What is it?" Alexander asked, seeing my shocked expression.
"It's... it's impossible," I whispered, showing him the locket and explaining its significance.
Alexander's expression grew grave. "This is beyond business now. They're trying to rattle you personally."
"But how did they get this?" I asked, my voice trembling. "It disappeared years ago."
Before Alexander could answer, his secure line rang. He answered cautiously, putting it on speaker.
"Alexander Thornton," a distorted voice said. "By now Ms. Bennet has received our gift. Consider it a demonstration of our reach. We can access anything and anyone."
"Who is this?" Alexander demanded.
"Someone who knows the truth about Thornton Industries," the voice continued. "If you proceed with the Global Tech Solutions bid, we will release evidence that will destroy not just your company, but your family's legacy. Everything Geoffrey Thornton built will be ashes."
Alexander's face remained impassive. "You're going to have to do better than vague threats."
"This isn't a threat. It's a promise. Ask your grandfather about Project Orpheus. He'll understand the implications."
The line went dead. Alexander immediately dialed another number.
"Grandfather," he said when Geoffrey Thornton answered. "We need to talk. It's about Project Orpheus."
There was a long silence on the other end. Finally, Geoffrey's voice came through, sounding suddenly frail. "How do you know that name?"
"I just received a call," Alexander explained. "Someone threatening to expose it if we don't withdraw from the Global Tech Solutions contract."
"Alexander," Geoffrey said, his voice deadly serious. "Come see me immediately. Alone."
"What is Project Orpheus?" I asked after Alexander hung up.
Alexander shook his head. "I don't know. But I've never heard my grandfather sound frightened before."
"You can't go alone," I protested. "It could be a trap."
"It's my grandfather," Alexander replied. "If anyone knows what this is about, it's him."
As Alexander prepared to leave, I pulled him aside. "Promise me you'll be careful."
He cupped my face in his hands. "I promise. Stay here with Marcus and the security team. Don't leave for any reason."