Ava

The air in my office thickened, my heartbeat echoing louder in my ears as Rose confirmed what I already suspected. “It’s them,” she said, her voice low and grim. “The calls, the threats… it’s all coming from the Jamesons.”

I gripped the edge of my desk until my fingers ached. “They’re playing a dangerous game,” I whispered, fury simmering just beneath the surface. Holly’s pale face flashed through my mind—the fragile rise and fall of her breathing.

The images they’d sent—the ones that showed Holly supposedly bound and hurt—had been burned into my memory. Each one had chipped away at my resolve, filling me with a helplessness I despised.

“No more,” I said, the words a promise to myself and a warning to the Jamesons. “I won’t let them touch her again.”

Rose stepped forward, her eyes filled with steely determination. “We’ve traced the source of the most recent call. They’re using a network of rerouted lines to cover their tracks, but we are certain about the source. The Jamesons. They weren't smart enough to tie up all loose ends.”

I stood, ignoring the throbbing pain in my wrist. There would be time to deal with my injuries later. Right now, every moment was a countdown—a race to save Holly from whatever twisted game the Jamesons were playing.

“Get a team together,” I ordered, grabbing my coat. “I’m going to pay Mr Jameson a visit right away.”

Rose’s eyes widened, but she quickly masked her concern. “Aren't you hurt? don't you think you should go check out that wrist?”

“I know. I should but that can wait,” I said, my voice hard. “I can’t sit here and wait for their next move. I need to confront them. To show them that I'm not the same Ava they played with last year.”

She nodded, her jaw set. “I’m coming with you.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the determined glint in her eyes stopped me. I’d need her by my side. She's the only one I could trust by my side at all times. “Fine. But we do this on our terms.”

Together, we left the office, every step filled with purpose. The Jamesons thought they could break me by targeting the one person I’d do anything to protect.

They were wrong. I was done being with their stupid hide-and-seek. It was time to take back control—and make them regret ever going after Holly.

I stormed into the Jameson building with Rose at my side and our security team close behind. The pristine marble floors and elegant décor screamed wealth and power, but I didn’t have time to admire the trappings of their empire.

Today was about sending a message. One that Mr Jameson would never forget.

As we made our way through the lobby, their security tried to block our path. “You can’t be here,” one of the guards said, stepping forward with a hand raised to stop us.

He didn’t get a chance to say more. My team surged forward, effortlessly pushing him and the others aside. The noise drew attention, heads turning from every corner, whispers following us like a storm brewing. I didn’t care. This spectacle was a warning.

We reached the elevator and Rose pressed the button. I could feel the weight of every second pressing down on me as we waited.

Rose glanced at me, her expression a mix of concern and determination. “Are you sure about this?” she asked quietly.

I met her gaze, my resolve unwavering. “Absolutely.”

The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped inside. The ride to the top floor was tense, the only sound was the soft hum of machinery.

When the doors opened again, we marched out into the heart of the enemy's territory. Assistants and staff scrambled out of our way, their eyes wide with fear and curiosity.

Finally, we reached Mr. Jamesons’ office. Two of his personal guards stood in front of the heavy double doors. “Turn around and leave,” one of them said, his voice hard.

“Move,” I replied coldly. They hesitated, and that was all the opening we needed. My security team stepped in, shoving them aside as if they were nothing more than minor obstacles.

The doors burst open, revealing Mr. Jameson seated behind his massive desk, a glass of amber liquid in his hand.

He didn’t flinch as I strode inside, Rose and our team close behind. He simply set his drink down, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?” he drawled.

I ignored his tone, every step bringing me closer to his desk. “You think you’re clever, Jameson? Sending threats, tormenting me and using a little girl who’s already fighting for her life? You’re nothing more than a coward. Too petty and spoiled to face me directly, so you go after the defenseless.”

His eyes narrowed, the smile fading. “Careful, Ava. You’re trespassing. I have no idea what you're talking about.”

I leaned forward, planting my hands on his desk. “This stops now,” I said, my voice deadly calm. “If you have a problem with me, face me like an adult. But if you so much as breathe in my sister's direction again, I will burn everything you love to the ground.”

The tension in the room was heavy, the air charged with fury and barely restrained violence. For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then Jameson leaned back in his chair, a cold smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You think you can intimidate me?” he asked. “You’re out of your depth, Ava. And you know it.”

I smiled coldly, straightening. “Funny you should say that. Since you’re so desperate to play games, let’s talk business. That contract you’ve been salivating over for months? The one you think will solidify your standing in this market?”

His expression flickered, and I knew I had him. I pulled out my phone, dialing a number without breaking eye contact. “Mr. Reyes,” I said when the call connected. “It’s Ava Miller. I’m prepared to close the deal you offered the last time. Yes, immediately.”

I could see the moment the realization hit Jameson. His jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists on the desk. He had been chasing the Reyes contract for over a year—an exclusive deal that would have cemented his dominance in key markets. And I’d just taken it from him with a single phone call.

“You wouldn’t,” he spat, fury twisting his features.

“I already did.” I ended the call and slipped my phone back into my pocket. “That’s how you face an opponent, Jameson. Head-on. Not by threatening innocent lives.”

He surged to his feet, eyes blazing with rage. “You’ll pay for this,” he snarled.

“Maybe,” I said, turning on my heel. “But I’ll make sure you pay first.”

As I walked out of his office, Rose at my side, I could feel the eyes of his staff on us, their silence heavy with shock.

The doors closed behind me, and for the first time in days, I felt a glimmer of control return. This war wasn’t over. But for now, I've won this round. And I would keep winning until the Jameson's learned that some lines should never be crossed.