Chapter 14 - THE ENEMY WITHIN
The drive back to the estate was suffocatingly quiet.
Ivan's dying words echoed in Lena's mind like a poisonous curse.
Someone in Victor's inner circle was feeding information to the Petrov family.
How else could they have known the exact route Daniel took to his new private academy?
When they arrived back at the mansion, Victor immediately called a lockdown, trusting absolutely no one.
He ordered all of his lieutenants into the main study, confiscating their phones and weapons at the door.
Lena stood by the fireplace, watching the men who had sworn loyalty to her fiancé.
There was Marcus, the financial advisor; Paul, the head of distribution; and Dmitri, Victor's right-hand man.
"One of you sold out my future brother-in-law," Victor stated softly, pacing in front of his desk.
"I will give the traitor exactly one chance to confess and take a quick death."
The men exchanged nervous, confused glances, but the room remained dead silent.
Lena observed their body language, her instincts sharpening with every passing second.
She noticed that Marcus kept looking down at his expensive watch, sweating profusely despite the cool air conditioning.
"Marcus," Lena said suddenly, stepping forward and drawing everyone's attention.
"You manage the family's off-shore accounts, don't you?"
Marcus swallowed hard, his eyes darting toward Victor before looking at Lena.
"Yes, Miss Lena, I handle all the international transfers," Marcus stammered nervously.
"Then why did your personal bank account receive a massive deposit from a Russian shell company two days ago?" she bluffed, staring him dead in the eyes.
It was a complete guess, but Lena knew how to read guilty men from her years surviving in poverty.
Marcus's face drained of all color, and his knees physically buckled under the weight of her accusation.
"Boss, I swear, they threatened my children!" Marcus cried out, falling to the floor.
"Ivan said he would kill my daughters if I didn't give him the boy's schedule!"
Victor didn't say a single word; he just looked at Dmitri and gave a slow, deliberate nod.
Dmitri grabbed Marcus by the collar and dragged the screaming traitor out of the study.
Lena watched him go, feeling a chilling sense of emptiness inside her chest.
She had just condemned a man to death, and she didn't feel an ounce of regret.
Victor walked over and took her face gently in his hands.
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"You are a natural at this," he whispered, kissing her forehead with deep reverence.
"I am just protecting what is mine," Lena replied, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
