The evidence was enough. More than enough.
Liza clutched the small drive in her hand as she moved through the dark corridor, her heartbeat loud in her ears. Every step felt too slow, too exposed.
She had what she needed to clear her name—and to expose Elena.
But she wasn't alone.
"You shouldn't be here."
The voice came from the shadows.
Liza froze. Slowly, she turned. Two men stepped forward—faces unfamiliar, but their intent unmistakable.
Her pulse spiked.
"You took something that doesn't belong to you," one of them said calmly.
Her fingers tightened around the drive. "I think it belongs exactly where it is," she replied, forcing her voice steady.
They moved closer.
"You're not leaving with it."
For a moment, fear threatened to take over—but then she remembered Julian. His voice. His rules. His constant insistence on control, even in chaos.
Think. Don't react.
She inhaled slowly, steadying herself. "You're right," she said suddenly, her tone shifting—calmer, almost cooperative. "I'm not leaving with it."
They hesitated. Just enough.
"And neither are you," she added quietly.
She moved fast—dropping the drive into a narrow gap between the wall panels, hidden just enough to buy time.
"What did you do?" one of them snapped, grabbing her arm.
Liza didn't fight. Not yet.
Instead, she smiled faintly, her breath unsteady but her voice controlled. "I made sure someone else will find it."
The lie hung in the air, heavy with implication.
And for the first time, she saw uncertainty flicker in their eyes.