Chapter 24: The Calm Before the Storm
The words echoed in Cambria’s ears, as if the world had suddenly shifted beneath her feet. Elena was coming for her.
Cambria gripped the phone tighter, her knuckles turning white. "What do you mean, Elara?" she asked, her voice strained, trying to keep the panic at bay. "Why would Elena be after me?"
Elara’s voice was sharp, filled with both urgency and a hint of fear. "We’ve intercepted a message from one of her informants. It’s clear now that she’s planning to eliminate you. She’s not interested in Maddox anymore. She’s after the one thing you’ve built your company on. She wants you to lose everything, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes."
Cambria’s heart pounded in her chest. She had known Elena wouldn’t go down without a fight, but this? This was more than she had expected. It wasn’t just about power or manipulation anymore. It was personal.
"I need to know everything, Elara. Every detail," Cambria said, her voice cold, but determination lacing every word. "Don’t leave anything out."
Elara’s response was quick, precise. "We’ve traced the communication. Elena has been making moves in the background, aligning herself with people who want to see you fall. Rumors are circulating that she’s about to unleash a scandal, something that could ruin your company and tarnish your reputation. She knows exactly what will hurt you the most."
Cambria closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, her mind working at a thousand miles per hour. If Elena wanted to ruin her company, she would have to strike fast. The walls that Cambria had so carefully built around her empire were about to crumble, and there was no time to waste.
"I’ll deal with this," Cambria said, her voice a mixture of resolve and cold fury. "Do whatever it takes to gather intel. I’m not going down without a fight."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Elara responded. "Be careful, Cambria. This isn’t just a business war anymore. It’s a personal one."