Chloe’s POV

The night felt endless, the heavy air of anticipation wrapping around me like a cloak. The man across the room stared at me with a knowing look, his arms crossed as he leaned casually against the doorframe. He looked unimpressed, as if he could see right through me.

“So, what’s your grand plan this time, Chloe?” His voice was calm, calculated, but laced with an undercurrent of frustration.

I smirked, adjusting my coat as I prepared to leave. “You’ll see when it’s time. Just stay on standby.”

“You’re about to make the same mistake again,” he said flatly, his eyes narrowing. “Charging in with no leash on your emotions, thinking you’re ten steps ahead, when really, you’re one misstep from falling off the cliff.”

I paused, my hand on the doorknob, and turned to him slowly. “Then maybe you should stop watching me and start worrying about how you’re going to keep up.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Don’t come crying again when your plans fail. You’re playing with fire, Chloe. And the funny part is, you don’t even realize it.”

“Oh, I realize it,” I said coldly. “And this time, I’m not stopping until I burn them to ash.”

Without another word, I left the room, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I descended into the city’s shadowy streets.

---

The Jamesons’ estate loomed ahead like a fortress of secrets, its tall iron gates parting for me as I approached. I hadn’t seen them in weeks, not since I’d set the wheels of my plan in motion. They were supposed to be my allies, my secret weapon, but their silence had begun to grate on me.

I teamed up with the Jamesons’ when it became clear to me that Orion would rather die than leave Ava. So, I did what every other reasonable villain would do; team up with his biggest rival.

My plan is to destroy everything Orion holds dear, starting with Ava, their company and his own company.

A butler escorted me into the grand sitting room, where Mr. and Mrs. Jameson sat waiting, their expressions relaxed. Mrs Jameson looked at me like I was a speck of dust she could flick off. But I ignored her and held my head up high.

“Ms Roland,” Mr. Jameson greeted me coolly, gesturing to a chair across from him. “What an unexpected visit.”

“Unexpected, but necessary,” I replied, taking my seat.

Mr. Jameson leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. “And what exactly brings you here tonight?”

I didn’t bother with pleasantries. “I want to know why you haven’t done more.”

Mrs. Jameson arched an elegant brow. “More?”

“You said you had leverage over the Millers’ enterprise,” I pressed, my voice sharp. “So why haven’t you used it? All you’ve done is steal a few clients, but that’s hardly the death blow we agreed on.”

The tension in the room was intense, the air thick with unspoken words.

Mrs. Jameson exchanged a glance with her husband before leaning forward, her gaze icy. “Because we’re not impulsive, Ms Roland. Unlike you, we understand the value of patience. The moves we’ve made are strategic, not reckless.”

“Strategic?” I scoffed. “It looks more like you’re dragging your feet while I do all the heavy lifting.”

Mr. Jameson’s eyes darkened, his calm demeanor slipping for a moment. “Careful, Ms Roland. You came to us for help, not the other way around. Don’t forget that.”

I leaned forward, meeting his gaze head-on. “This is an alliance that could favor your company beyond imagination. And don’t forget that I’m the one who set this whole thing in motion. I’ve played my part—now it’s time for you to play yours.”

Mrs. Jameson’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Oh, we’re playing our part, darling. You’ve already done what we needed—Ava’s reputation is in jeopardy, Orion is distracted, and the Millers’ enterprise is more vulnerable than ever. But the final move? That’s ours to make.”

“And what move is that?” I demanded.

Mrs. Jameson’s smile widened. “A move that will shatter Ava and Orion for good. Trust us, Ms Roland—you’ve done enough. Sit back and let us handle the rest.”

I laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. “Sit back? That’s not really my style.”

“Well, maybe it should be,” Mr. Jameson said, his tone pointed. “You’ve played your part. Now it’s our turn.”

I stood, smoothing my coat as I looked down at them. “Fine. Play your little games. And be fast about it. But while you’re at it, I’m about to drop a bomb on Orion that’ll make him shiver for life.”

Mrs. Jameson tilted her head, intrigued. “And what bomb might that be?”

I smirked. “You’ll find out soon enough. Just make sure you’re ready for the fallout.”

---

The dimly lit bar reeked of whiskey and regret, a fitting backdrop for my next meeting. Ava’s father, Mr Rodriguez, sat in a corner booth, nursing a glass of scotch. His disdain for his daughter was no secret, and I intended to use it to my advantage.

“Hello, Ms Roland,” he greeted me with a nod as I slid into the seat across from him. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I have a proposition,” I said, cutting straight to the point.

His lips curled into a sneer. “And why would I help you?”

“Because it benefits you,” I replied smoothly. “You’ve always hated Ava, haven’t you? You arranged the marriage for her, but she left you dry when she became a heiress,” I taunted further.

“Hate is a strong word, Ms Roland. She’s my daughter after all,” he drawled lazily.

“But you think she’s a disgrace to your name, an ungrateful daughter who mocked the wind beneath her wings. I can help you get rid of her—for good. But I need your help.”

He leaned back, studying me with narrowed eyes. “And what’s in it for you?”

“Revenge,” I said simply. “Orion and Ava ruined my life. I want to see them suffer, and I know you do too.”

He took a long sip of his scotch, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But guts won’t be enough to take them down.”

“That’s why I need your help,” I said. “You have connections, resources. Together, we can destroy them.”

He was silent for a moment, then set his glass down with a clink. “Fine. But if this blows up in our faces, don’t think for a second that I’ll take the fall.”

“Deal,” I said, extending my hand.

He shook it, his grip firm. “Alright, what’s your plan?”

---

The last meeting of the night brought me to a seedy warehouse on the outskirts of town. The men I always hired to rough up Orion and kidnap both Ava and her sister were waiting for me, their faces shadowed and their demeanor as menacing as ever.

“Chloe,” their leader greeted me with a sly grin. “Long time no see. Seems like you discarded us after the California plan failed.”

“Cut the crap,” I said, stepping into the dim light. “I need your help again.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t think we’d ever need our help again. What’s the job?”

“I want you to keep an eye on Ava,” I said. “Follow her, dig up dirt, and make her life miserable.”

He chuckled, crossing his arms. “Sounds fun. What’s the catch?”

“No catch,” I said. “Just make sure she knows she’s being watched. I want her paranoid, on edge. You’ve done this before. Can you handle it again?”

He grinned. “Oh, we can handle that.”

“Good,” I said, turning to leave. “I’ll be in touch.”

As I walked away, a sense of satisfaction settled over me. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, Ava and Orion would be nothing but ashes in my wake.

This wasn’t over. It was just beginning.

By the time I returned to my rental, the pieces were finally falling into place. The Jamesons, the goons, Ava’s father—they were all pawns in my game now.

Mason’s ex fiancé ditched me last minute and left the city. But I’m very certain these ones won’t.

And as I poured myself a glass of wine, I couldn’t help but smile. Orion thought he’d won. Ava thought she was untouchable. They had no idea what was coming.