Elara had always believed lies were ugly things — until she learned how useful they could be.
That night, she crafted one carefully, like a weapon disguised as silk.Julian needed to believe he'd found a crack in her armor.And she would give it to him — just not the one he expected.
In the quiet of her office, Elara slipped a flash drive into the company server. Inside, she'd planted a single folder labeled "Private_Accounts_JT."
It contained forged records — half-truths mixed with enough real data to look convincing. To anyone else, it would look like she was hiding evidence against Julian for leverage.
But in reality, it was bait.
Julian's security team would trace the file. They'd believe she was preparing to expose him.And when he confronted her… she'd use his rage to blind him to the real betrayal unfolding right under his nose.
Later that evening, she met Adrian in his glass-walled penthouse. The night city shimmered around them, reflections of light playing across his sharp features.
"You're setting a trap," he said, watching her type the final encryption key.
She didn't look up. "You told me to break a thread. I'm handing him the one he'll pull first."
Adrian stepped closer. "You're enjoying this."
Elara smirked faintly. "I'm surviving this."
He leaned against the table, studying her. "There's a difference. Survivors hide. You're not hiding — you're playing."
Her fingers paused on the keyboard. "And you think you know the difference?"
Adrian's gaze darkened, voice low. "I've been both."
For a moment, neither spoke. The air between them felt heavy — charged with something unspoken, dangerous.A spark that wasn't supposed to exist between two people bound by revenge.
Elara broke the silence first. "You should go. If Julian finds out you're helping me—"
Adrian's lips curved slightly. "He'll find out. Eventually. That's how kings fall — when they still believe they're the only ones playing."
He turned to leave, but paused at the door."Just remember, Elara," he said softly. "You can't set a trap without standing in it yourself."
At midnight, Julian's personal server pinged — a security alert.Unauthorized transfer detected.Source: Elara Vale.
Julian's eyes narrowed as the data streamed in. The evidence was clear — she'd been digging into his private accounts.
"Smart," he muttered. "But not smart enough."
He picked up his phone, dialing his head of security.
"Track her. Every call. Every meeting. I want her under watch twenty-four hours."
Julian Thorne smiled coldly. "If Elara wants to play games… I'll teach her how they end."
Outside, in the dark silence of her apartment, Elara closed her laptop and exhaled slowly.The trap was set.Julian would come for her.And when he did — he'd never see what was waiting behind the lie.