Chapter 3: The Unexpected Ally

I pace my office, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling left by Julian’s text and the video. I keep glancing at my phone, expecting another message, another twisted reminder that Julian is watching.

It’s like he’s everywhere and nowhere, lurking in the shadows of my life. My thoughts are a chaotic mess, swinging between anger and fear. How far will he go this time?

There’s a knock on my door, and I nearly jump out of my skin. “Come in,” I call, trying to steady my voice.

Ethan steps in, his eyes scanning me with concern. “Isobel, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s going on?”

I swallow hard, weighing whether to tell him about the video and Julian’s latest threat. Ethan’s been my rock through so much, but there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to drag him further into this mess. I don’t want Julian to know just how much he’s gotten under my skin.

Before I can decide, Ethan’s phone buzzes. He glances at the screen, frowns, and then looks up at me. “It’s Rachel Monroe. Julian’s assistant. She wants to meet with you.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Rachel Monroe? What does she want?”

Ethan shrugs, but his expression is wary. “She didn’t say. Just that it’s important and she wants to meet in person. She suggested the café around the corner in an hour.”

I cross my arms, skepticism swirling in my chest. “Do you think it’s a trap?”

Ethan sighs. “It’s hard to say. Rachel’s been with Julian for years, but she’s never reached out like this before. It could be genuine, or it could be another one of Julian’s games.”

I chew on my lip, weighing my options. Rachel could have valuable information, something that might give me an edge against Julian. But it could also be a setup.

Julian has never been one to play fair, and I wouldn’t put it past him to use his assistant to get to me.

Finally, I nod. “Tell her I’ll be there. But I’m going in prepared.”

Ethan nods, his face tight with worry. “I’ll be there too, keeping an eye on things from a distance. If it feels off, we’re out.”

I manage a small smile. “Thanks, Ethan. I appreciate it.”

He nods and leaves the room, and I take a deep breath, trying to steel myself for what’s coming.

My phone buzzes again, and I flinch before realizing it’s just a reminder for my next meeting. I let out a shaky breath. I need to get a grip.

An hour later, I’m seated at a small corner table in the café, my eyes scanning the room. I spot Ethan across the street, leaning against a lamppost with a newspaper in hand, pretending to read but watching every move. It’s a small comfort to know he’s there.

The door chimes, and I look up to see Rachel Monroe walking in, her eyes darting around nervously. She’s a striking woman—tall, with sharp features and sleek, dark hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. She spots me and heads over, sliding into the seat across from me.

“Isobel,” she says, her voice low. “Thank you for meeting me.”

I nod, keeping my expression neutral. “You said it was important.”

She glances around again, then leans in closer. “It is. Julian… he’s planning something big, something that could ruin you and your company. I’ve seen the files, the emails. He’s pulling strings behind the scenes, setting things in motion.”

My stomach clenches, but I keep my voice steady. “Why are you telling me this, Rachel? You’ve been loyal to Julian for years. Why switch sides now?”

Rachel’s eyes flicker with something I can’t quite place—fear, maybe, or regret. “I thought I could handle working for Julian. I thought his ruthlessness was just part of the business. But this… it’s different. He’s obsessed, Isobel. He’s not thinking rationally anymore, and he’s going to destroy everything in his path to get what he wants, including you.”

I narrow my eyes, studying her. “And what do you want in exchange for this information?”

She takes a deep breath, looking almost ashamed. “I need out. A fresh start. I want to leave New York, leave this life behind, but I need help. I need protection from Julian. He doesn’t let people go easily.”

I consider her words carefully. Rachel is asking a lot, but if what she’s saying is true, then she could be a valuable ally. Julian’s assistant turning against him? It could be the break I need. But I can’t afford to trust her completely—not yet.

“What kind of protection are we talking about?” I ask cautiously.

She glances around again, as if expecting Julian to appear out of nowhere. “Just help me get out of the city, maybe some money to get started somewhere new.

And in return, I’ll give you everything I have on Julian—documents, emails, recordings. You’ll have enough to bring him down.”

I nod slowly, weighing my options. “I’ll consider it. But you have to give me something now. Something that proves you’re serious.”

Rachel hesitates, then reaches into her bag and pulls out a small USB drive. “This has some of the emails, the ones that show he’s been manipulating the stock prices of Hartfield Technologies. It’s just a taste of what I have.”

I take the drive, slipping it into my purse. “Alright, Rachel. I’ll look this over and let you know my decision. But if you’re playing me—”

“I’m not,” she interrupts, her voice earnest. “I want out, Isobel. And I want Julian to pay for what he’s done.”

I nod, and we sit in silence for a moment. Then, without another word, Rachel stands up and leaves the café, glancing over her shoulder once before disappearing into the crowd.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Ethan enters the café a moment later, his face tight with concern. “What did she say?”

I fill him in on the conversation, and he frowns. “Do you think she’s telling the truth?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “But we have to check out this drive and see what’s on it. If it’s legit, we might have a chance to stop Julian.”

Ethan nods. “Let’s get back to the office and take a look.”

Back at Hartfield Technologies, Ethan and I plug the USB drive into my computer and open the files. My eyes widen as I scroll through the emails.

They’re damning, detailed communications between Julian and various brokers, discussing the manipulation of Hartfield Technologies’ stock. If this is real, Julian could be facing serious legal consequences.

“This is big,” Ethan says, leaning over my shoulder. “If we can prove this is real, Julian’s done.”

I nod, but a gnawing worry eats at me. This feels almost too easy. Julian wouldn’t let something like this slip unless… unless he wanted it to.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. I glance at the caller ID and frown. It’s Lydia.

“Hey, Lyds, what’s up?” I ask, trying to keep my voice light.

“Isobel,” Lydia’s voice is urgent. “You need to get to the Hamilton Hotel. Julian and his father are here, and they’re having a huge argument in the lobby. It’s bad.”

My heart skips a beat. “What? Why are you there?”

“I was meeting a client, and I saw them. Isobel, I think you need to see this.”

“Alright, I’m on my way,” I say, hanging up and grabbing my coat. “Ethan, we need to go.”

“What’s going on?” he asks, already on his feet.

“Julian and his father are having a blowout at the Hamilton Hotel. Lydia’s there. She says it’s bad.”

We rush out of the office and into the waiting car. As we speed through the busy New York streets, my mind races with possibilities. What could have driven Julian and Victor to such a public confrontation? Whatever it is, it’s bound to be explosive.

When we arrive at the Hamilton Hotel, I spot Lydia waiting outside, her face pale and eyes wide. “They’re still in there,” she says, pointing toward the glass doors. “It’s getting ugly.”

I nod, and Ethan and I head inside, weaving through the crowd that’s gathered to gawk at the scene unfolding in the lobby.

There, in the center of the room, Julian and Victor Sterling are locked in a heated argument. Julian’s face is flushed with anger, his hands clenched into fists, while Victor’s expression is cold, his eyes filled with disdain.

“You’ve gone too far this time, Julian!” Victor’s voice rings out, loud and furious. “You’re going to ruin everything!”

“I’m doing what needs to be done!” Julian shouts back, his voice thick with emotion. “This is about more than just business, and you know it!”

Victor sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re blinded by your obsession, Julian. You’ve lost sight of what really matters. You’re going to destroy everything we’ve built, all because you can’t let go of the past!”

Julian’s face contorts with rage, and for a moment, I think he might actually hit his father. But then, he takes a step back, his eyes flickering with a mix of pain and defiance.

The tension in the room is palpable, and everyone around them is frozen, caught up in the spectacle of a powerful family tearing itself apart in public.

I watch Julian closely, trying to read his expression. There’s a storm of emotions there—anger, frustration, something deeper and more vulnerable.

It’s a side of him I haven’t seen in years, a crack in the mask he so carefully maintains. Whatever this argument is about, it’s personal.

Victor’s voice drops to a harsh whisper, but in the quiet of the lobby, his words carry. “You’ve always been reckless, Julian.

Always putting your selfish desires above the family, above the company. And now look at you, chasing ghosts and dragging us all down with you.”

Julian’s face tightens, his jaw clenching. “This isn’t about ghosts. It’s about what’s rightfully mine. I’m not going to let you or anyone else stand in my way.”

Victor shakes his head, looking almost pitying. “You’re so caught up in your revenge, you can’t see the damage you’re doing. To yourself, to us, to Isobel. Is this really how you want to live, Julian? Hounded by your own bitterness?”

At the mention of my name, Julian’s eyes snap to mine, his gaze locking onto me through the crowd. For a moment, the whole world seems to stand still.

His expression softens just a fraction, a flicker of something almost like regret crossing his features before it’s gone, replaced by the steely resolve I know all too well.

Victor follows Julian’s line of sight and spots me too. His face darkens, a storm cloud of fury and frustration. “See? Even now, you’re letting her get to you. You need to let it go, Julian, before it’s too late.”

But Julian shakes his head, stepping closer to his father. “No. You’re the one who needs to let go. I’m not going to be your puppet anymore. I have my own plans, my own life to live.”

Victor looks ready to retort, but something stops him. He glances around, noticing the crowd that has gathered, the eyes watching them. He exhales sharply, turning away from Julian in a brusque movement. “This isn’t over, Julian. Not by a long shot.”

With that, Victor strides out of the hotel, leaving Julian standing in the middle of the lobby, his shoulders tense, his expression hard.

For a moment, neither of us moves. Then, Julian’s gaze flickers back to me, and he starts walking toward me. My heart races, my mind whirling with everything I just heard. What did Victor mean about Julian’s obsession? What is Julian planning?

Julian stops a few feet away, his eyes searching mine. “Isobel,” he says, his voice low and rough, almost vulnerable. “I didn’t want you to see that.”

I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady. “What’s going on, Julian? What are you really after?”

He hesitates, glancing around at the onlookers, then steps closer, lowering his voice. “There are things you don’t understand. Things that go way beyond just us. But if you want answers, meet me tonight. The rooftop of our old building. Midnight.”

I open my mouth to protest, to demand more answers now, but Julian is already turning away, his expression closed off, determined. “Midnight, Isobel. If you want to know the truth.”

And with that, he walks out, leaving me standing there, my mind racing with questions, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation.

What is Julian hiding? What truth is he so desperate to reveal? And more importantly, am I ready to face it?

As I turn to find Ethan and Lydia, I can’t shake the feeling that whatever happens next is going to change everything.

Tonight, I’ll meet Julian on the rooftop, and I’ll finally get the answers I’ve been looking for. But at what cost?