The emergency generators kicked in after thirty seconds.
Thirty seconds that felt like thirty minutes.
The executive floor buzzed back to life in a dim white glow, but the tension didn't fade. Staff moved frantically between terminals. Screens flickered with warning alerts.
"Main server disconnected!" the IT director shouted. "But we've lost partial financial archives and client data backups."
Alexander's jaw tightened. "How much damage?"
"We won't know until we run a full integrity scan."
Elena stood beside him, trying to steady her breathing. The image of that phone call replayed in her head.
Nearly.
Victor's voice had not sounded emotional.
It had sounded confident.
Calculated.
Deliberate.
And now… personal.
Alexander turned to the security team. "Lock down the building. No one leaves until we verify internal clearance."
Then his eyes shifted to Elena.
"Come with me."
They entered his private office, shutting the door behind them.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The city lights outside flickered across the glass walls, casting reflections over his face. He looked tired — but not defeated.
"Elena," he said quietly, "you're not safe."
She met his gaze steadily. "Because of him?"
"Yes."
"You think he'll come after me?"
"I don't think," he replied. "I know."
Her stomach twisted.
"You heard what he said. He wants everything I value."
"And that includes me."
His silence confirmed it.
Elena swallowed. "Then I won't hide."
His eyes sharpened. "This isn't about pride."
"And this isn't about weakness," she shot back. "You almost died once. If he wanted you gone, he had the chance. Why wait two years?"
Alexander's expression darkened.
"He needed timing."
"For what?"
"For leverage."
The realization struck her slowly.
"He waited until you rebuilt the company stronger… so destroying it would hurt more."
"Yes."
"And now… he's escalating."
As if summoned by her words, Alexander's phone vibrated again.
This time it wasn't an unknown number.
It was a message.
He opened it.
Elena watched the color drain from his face.
"What is it?"
He turned the screen toward her.
A photo.
Taken just hours ago.
Her.
Standing on the balcony outside the banquet hall.
Unaware.
Below it, a message:
You should protect what you love better.
Elena's blood ran cold.
"He was watching," she whispered.
Alexander's voice dropped dangerously low. "Trace the number."
The IT team responded immediately, but within minutes—
"It's untraceable. Routed through multiple international proxies."
Victor wasn't careless.
He was prepared.
Alexander grabbed his coat.
"We're leaving."
"Where?" Elena asked.
"My private residence outside the city. It's secured and off-grid."
"You think he'll attack here?"
"I think he wants me unsettled. I won't give him that advantage."
—
The drive was silent.
The city faded behind them as they headed toward the outskirts, where Alexander owned a secluded property few people knew about.
Elena stared out the window, replaying everything.
The accident. The memory loss. Vivian's manipulation. The company attack. Now this.
"I was so focused on us," she whispered softly, almost to herself. "I didn't see the bigger threat."
Alexander glanced at her.
"I should have."
"You couldn't have known."
"No," he corrected quietly. "But I underestimated him."
They arrived at the gated estate just before dawn.
Security teams were already stationed around the perimeter.
Alexander stepped out first, scanning the area before helping her out of the car.
Inside, the house felt quiet.
Too quiet.
Elena wrapped her arms around herself.
"This feels like hiding."
"It's strategic positioning," he corrected.
She gave him a look.
He sighed faintly.
"Yes. It feels like hiding."
For a brief second, tension eased between them.
Then—
A security officer rushed inside.
"Sir."
Alexander turned immediately. "What?"
"There's been another development."
The officer handed him a tablet.
Elena moved closer.
On the screen was breaking news.
Lang Enterprises Announces Emergency Press Conference at 9 AM.
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
"He's going public."
"With what?" Elena asked.
The officer scrolled down.
Attached to the announcement was a preview headline draft:
EXPOSING HALE GROUP'S ILLEGAL INTERNAL TRANSACTIONS.
Elena felt dizzy.
"That's impossible."
Alexander's voice turned icy calm.
"He's going to fabricate evidence."
"And if the public believes him?"
"Then our stock crashes further. Investors panic. Lawsuits follow."
Victor wasn't just attacking the company.
He was trying to destroy Alexander's reputation permanently.
Elena looked up at him.
"What's your move?"
His expression shifted.
The ruthless strategist was back.
"We counter before he speaks."
"How?"
"We hold our own conference first."
Her eyes widened. "That's risky."
"Yes."
"But?"
"But we don't deny."
She frowned. "We don't?"
"No," he said slowly. "We expose him first."
Elena's pulse quickened.
"You have proof?"
"Not yet," he admitted. "But I know where to get it."
A slow realization dawned.
"Inside Lang Enterprises."
He gave a faint nod.
"That's dangerous."
"Yes."
"And you're going anyway."
He stepped closer.
"Not alone."
Her breath caught.
"You want me involved?"
"I want you protected. And the safest place right now… is where I can see you."
Her heart pounded.
This wasn't just reconciliation anymore.
This was partnership.
War partners.
Before she could respond—
A loud metallic clang echoed from outside.
Both of them froze.
Another clang.
Like something hitting the security gate.
Then—
The sound of tires screeching.
Alexander moved instantly, pulling her behind him.
Security radios crackled loudly.
"Sir! Black SUV just rammed the outer gate!"
Elena's heart slammed against her ribs.
Victor wasn't waiting for press conferences.
He was making his move.
Now.
And this time—
He wasn't hiding behind proxies.