Chapter 34
The conference room in Thomas’s penthouse had been transformed into a war room. Papers and printouts were pinned to corkboards, red strings connecting key players, locations, and events. A large screen displayed a digital map of Luka Diaz’s known properties, each one marked with notes on suspected activities.
Emma stood at the head of the table, her arms crossed, her expression resolute.
“We all know what’s at stake,” she said, glancing at each member of the group. “This isn’t just about taking Luka down—it’s about protecting Alex and the twins, dismantling the Diaz family’s grip, and exposing the truth.”
“And we each have a part to play.” Thomas nodded from his seat beside her. “The evidence we need is spread across multiple locations and sources. If we’re going to succeed, we need to act quickly and efficiently.”
Jack leaned back in his chair, his laptop open on the table in front of him. “I’ve already hacked into the Diaz financial networks,” he said, a sly smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve traced multiple shell companies tied to market manipulation, insider trading, and a few accidents that weren’t so ‘accidental.’ The data’s messy, but it’s there.”
Marcus, sitting across from Jack, was flipping through a file. “And while you’re busy being a digital ninja, I’ll handle the boots-on-the-ground work. Luka’s ‘trusted’ staff are anything but—they’re spilling secrets faster than they can cash their bribes.”
Emma looked at Thomas. “And you? Any updates?”
Thomas leaned forward, his hands clasped.
“My contacts in the legal world have started gathering evidence from the Buenos Aires fire. They’ve confirmed Luka buried the incident with bribes and intimidation. But we need something irrefutable—something that can hold up in court and sway public opinion.”
Emma nodded, her jaw tight. “We need to expose him on every front. One weak link isn’t enough—he’ll worm his way out. We have to tie him to everything.”
The team spent hours dissecting the threads of Luka’s schemes. Marcus handled surveillance data, Jack dug through financial records, and Thomas coordinated with his legal allies. Emma, however, focused on documents linked to Barrett Industries—the core of Luka’s latest power grab.
Sitting at Thomas’s desk, she scrolled through flagged communications in a secure archive he had provided. Her eyes narrowed as she opened a contract marked with a red flag. She traced the names and numbers carefully before her heart skipped.
“Here,” she said, her voice sharp with urgency. She turned the laptop to face Thomas. “This shows Elliana funneling money to a board member at Barrett Industries. She’s been buying influence to push Luka’s agenda.”
Thomas moved to her side, his expression hardening as he scanned the document.
“This board member has been pushing for a leadership change for months. If we can tie this directly to Luka, it’ll prove their plan to take over the company.”
Emma exhaled, determination burning in her chest.
“This is enough to start unraveling their control, but we need more. There’s no guarantee the board won’t side with Luka if this leaks. We have to make them see the risk in keeping him as an ally.”
“We will.” Thomas placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “This is just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s a critical one. We’ll use it to get the leverage we need.”
Emma nodded, her fingers tightening around the edges of the laptop.
“He’s been pulling strings from the shadows for too long. It’s time to drag him into the light.”
Jack entered with a grim expression, holding up a USB drive.
“I’ve got something you’ll want to see—financial ties between Luka’s shell companies and two of Barrett Industries’ smaller vendors. They’ve been padding invoices and funneling the difference back to him.”
Thomas crossed the room to take the drive, his face set in resolve.
“It’s another connection. Once we put it all together, he won’t have anywhere to hide.”
Emma stood, her voice steady despite the storm inside.
“We’re not just stopping him—we’re dismantling everything he’s built. Piece by piece.”
The team exchanged determined glances, their unity unwavering. This wasn’t just a plan anymore; it was a battle, and none of them intended to lose.
Marcus, meanwhile, worked from his corner of the room, his laptop glowing as he navigated encrypted files.
“Luka’s network is vast,” he muttered. “But the patterns are clear. These payments aren’t just about bribes—they’re funding staged accidents to eliminate rivals and intimidate competitors.”
He pulled up a video feed, showing grainy footage of a car crash that had been written off as an accident.
“This is one of Luka’s most recent ‘operations.’ I’ve got records of the payout to the mechanic who sabotaged the victim’s brakes.”
Jack glanced over, his expression grim. “And let me guess—Elliana’s got her fingerprints all over this too?”
Marcus nodded. “She’s been orchestrating the smear campaigns while Luka handles the dirty work. Together, they’re untouchable—until now.”
Emma, feeling a surge of determination, decided to dig deeper into the files Marcus had uncovered. With his help, she found a trove of internal communications between Luka and Elliana, outlining their strategies to manipulate markets and discredit opponents.
One email in particular made her stomach churn.
“Emma Barrett is the linchpin. Destroy her credibility, and Alex Barrett will crumble. Focus on the twins if necessary—there’s nothing more vulnerable than a mother’s heart.”
Emma’s hands tightened into fists. “They’ve been targeting me from the start,” she said, her voice shaking. “This isn’t just about Barrett Industries—it’s personal.”
“That’s why we’re doing this.” Thomas placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “To end it once and for all.”
* * *
Jack’s role took him outside the penthouse, meeting with one of Luka’s former employees at a secluded café. The man was nervous, his eyes darting around as if expecting Luka’s enforcers to appear at any moment.
“You’re safe here,” Jack assured him, sliding a folder across the table. “We need your help to prove Luka’s involvement in the staged accidents and insider trading schemes.”
The man hesitated, his hands trembling as he opened the folder. Inside were photos of victims, documents tied to financial fraud, and a list of names—some crossed out, others circled.
“This… this is everything,” the man whispered. “If Luka finds out I’ve talked to you—”
“He won’t,” Jack interrupted. “But if you help us, we can take him down. For good.”
The man nodded slowly, his resolve hardening. “Alright. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
* * *
Back at the penthouse, the team reconvened late into the night, their table now overflowing with evidence.
Marcus had uncovered records of shell companies used to funnel bribes and fund disinformation campaigns. Jack had secured a witness statement from the former employee, detailing Luka’s role in multiple crimes. And Emma and Thomas had compiled enough proof to tie Elliana directly to the Barrett Industries board infiltration.
“This is it,” Thomas said, his voice filled with quiet triumph. “We have everything we need to dismantle the Diaz empire.”
Emma nodded, her heart pounding.
“Then we move forward. We take this public, expose them for who they really are.”
“Hold on.” Marcus raised a hand. “Luka isn’t just going to sit back and let us destroy him. He’ll retaliate—and it won’t be subtle.”
Emma met his gaze, her expression resolute. “Let him try. I’m done being afraid.”
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