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Chapter 6 - Chapter Six — The Woman in Red

The Cross Enterprises boardroom was built for intimidation—polished oak, glass walls, and a view that could make anyone forget they were standing on the edge of a storm.

Victoria Hale stood at the head of the long table, every inch of her posture radiating control. Her crimson suit caught the light, the perfect contrast to the chaos she was orchestrating.

"The shareholders are worried," she said smoothly. "Since the wedding, Cross Enterprises' media profile has shifted from power to scandal. The merger with Zenith Tech is unstable. We need to act before the fallout becomes irreversible."

One of the older board members frowned. "You're suggesting we pressure Mr. Cross to step down?"

"I'm suggesting," Victoria said, lips curving slightly, "that we protect the company before his… distractions destroy it."

Meanwhile — The Penthouse

Ava stood by the window, phone in hand, scrolling through another wave of headlines.

"Cross Marriage Cracks: Anonymous Source Reveals Contract Clause.""Mrs. Cross Paid to Stay?"

Her heart thudded painfully. The contract—someone had leaked it. And only three people had access to the original document: Damien, Victoria, and her.

The door burst open. Damien strode in, phone in hand, fury burning in every line of his body.

"What did you do?" he demanded.

Ava's head snapped up. "Excuse me?"

"The contract, Ava. It's everywhere."

"You think I leaked it?" she shot back. "You're the one who wanted this circus. Maybe someone inside your empire is finally turning on you."

He slammed the phone down on the table. "Don't play innocent. You've been digging into things you shouldn't. You found the letter, didn't you?"

Her pulse quickened. "I did. And I know your mother tried to tell you the truth."

His expression twisted. "You have no right—"

"I have every right!" she interrupted, voice trembling. "You destroyed my father without proof. You built your revenge on lies!"

For a moment, silence crashed between them like thunder.

Then Damien's voice dropped to a whisper. "If I was wrong…"He couldn't finish. The thought itself seemed to tear something in him.

Ava's tone softened. "Then stop fighting me, Damien. Let me help you find out what really happened."

He turned away, jaw tight. "And why would you help me?"

"Because I think the man I married isn't as cold as he wants to be," she said quietly. "And because I need to know the truth, too."

The Ambush

Later that afternoon, Damien went to face the board.He expected confrontation—he didn't expect betrayal.

The moment he entered, every face turned to him with veiled hostility.

"Mr. Cross," Victoria began, standing gracefully, "the company is under immense scrutiny. Your marriage, the leaked contract, and now the merger delay—shareholders are losing confidence. We need reassurance."

Damien's eyes narrowed. "Or you want control."

Victoria smiled faintly. "Don't be dramatic. I'm only suggesting temporary delegation of power—just until the media settles down."

He stepped closer, voice low. "You're behind the leak, aren't you?"

Her smile didn't waver. "Proof, Damien. You always demand it, remember?"

He realized too late that the room was already against him. The trap was complete.

Back at the Penthouse

Ava sat alone, watching the news feed when her phone buzzed with an unknown number again.She hesitated before answering.

"Ava Sinclair," the voice said—smooth, female, unmistakable.

"Victoria," Ava said coldly. "What do you want?"

"Just to warn you," Victoria replied, amusement threading her tone. "You married a man who doesn't know the whole story. But then again… neither do you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your father didn't sign that deal under duress. He signed it willingly. And do you know why?"

Ava's throat tightened. "You're lying."

"Check the archives," Victoria whispered. "Your father wasn't innocent—and neither was I."

The line went dead.

The Cliffhanger

When Damien returned home that night, exhaustion and rage clung to him. He found Ava sitting in his study, the flash drive plugged in again."Victoria called me," she said quietly. "She said my father signed that deal willingly."

Damien's eyes darkened. "She's manipulating you."

"Maybe. Or maybe we're both puppets."

He stepped forward, took her wrist gently, and whispered,"If you're going to dig into this, Ava… then we do it together. No more secrets."

Her heart skipped. "Together?"

"For now."

But before either could say another word, the computer chimed. Another file had appeared—automatically decrypted from the flash drive.A video clip. Dated six years ago.

It showed a boardroom. Her father. Victoria. And Damien's mother—alive.

Ava's breath caught. "Your mother… she didn't die in the fire?"

Damien's face went pale. "That's impossible."

The screen flickered—then went black.

And a single message appeared across it:

"Find me before she does."

End of Chapter Six

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