Chapter 5: Dangerous Alliances
Elara wasn't alone for long.
The moment she stepped out of the council chamber, a shadow detached itself from the hallway.
"Miss Delacroix," said a soft voice behind her. "May I have a word?"
She turned, half-expecting a threat.
Instead, she found a man in his late thirties with slicked-back chestnut hair, an expensive coat, and the kind of calculating eyes that belonged to survivors—not predators.
"I'm Bastien Vale," he said, extending a gloved hand. "Legal counsel to the late Étienne Delacroix. Off the record."
Elara didn't shake it. "Why not approach me before the hearing?"
"Because I wasn't sure if you were reckless… or brilliant. Now I see you're both."
She arched an eyebrow. "And?"
"And you'll need more than moral high ground to survive. You need allies. People who know where the bodies are buried—both literal and legal."
She studied him for a beat. "What do you want?"
"To see Adrien Saint-Pierre burn," he said simply. "He killed my career. My mentor. Nearly my mother's inheritance. And he will ruin you if you don't beat him first."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "Why help me?"
He leaned closer.
"Because this family only responds to one thing—power. You need a strategist. And I've already drafted a counter-claim against Adrien's control of Delacroix Holdings. Based on your father's trust accounts, we can freeze the board's voting rights for ninety days. That's enough time to take the castle from the inside."
She didn't smile.
But she offered her hand this time.
"Welcome to the rebellion, Mr. Vale."
---
That Night
Adrien's study was lit only by the fireplace when Isolde stormed in.
"She played us," she snapped, throwing her clutch on the desk. "The will's real. The notary confirmed it."
Adrien poured himself another drink, though his hand trembled.
"Then we adjust the game."
"She's not just a girl anymore, Adrien. She has Auguste. She has leverage. And now Bastien Vale? If she gets the board behind her—"
"She won't."
He turned, eyes colder than frost. "Because if she does… we bury her in scandal before the next shareholder meeting."
He slid a red folder across the desk.
Inside: Photos of Elara in Lucien's penthouse. Intimate ones.
"Is this wise?" Isolde asked.
Adrien's voice dropped to a whisper.
"She built her case on blood. But we'll ruin her with love."
---
Back in the city
Lucien finally reached the hotel Elara had checked into under an alias.
He barged past the concierge, barely sparing a glance.
"Where is she?" he growled.
"She just left. With a man."
His stomach dropped.
But before he could demand more, a hotel staff member slipped him a note.
> Lucien —
If you've come this far, then you already know. I didn't lie to hurt you. I lied to protect you.
Please don't follow me. Not yet.
I need to win this on my own.
—E.
He folded the paper slowly.
His lips twitched into a bitter smile.
"She's going to destroy them," he murmured.
And he would make sure no one destroyed her first.
---