His gambling debts were real, his financial desperation was real, and the offshore accounts show payments that look like incentives, not threats. Who was paying him? That's where it gets interesting. Morrison pulled up something on her tablet. Nexus Dynamics, one of your competitors.
Or rather, they were your competitors until you acquired them 18 months ago. Elena's expression went cold. The executive team from Nexus was integrated into our structure. Some of them are still here. Exactly.
We believe this was a revenge play coordinated by former Nexus leadership who lost their positions after the acquisition. They recruited Derek funded the operation and plan to install their own people once you were eliminated. Then they'd orchestrate a hostile takeover, reclaim what they considered theirs. Names, Elena said, I want names. Morrison listed three executives, all of whom Marcus vaguely recognized from morning briefings. senior vice presidents who'd seemed cooperative and professional, who'd attended meetings and contributed to projects while secretly planning murder.
"They're being arrested as we speak," Morrison said, along with several others involved in the financial side. By morning, this will be the lead story on every business network, attempted assassination, corporate conspiracy, the works. Elena closed her eyes briefly. Marcus saw the weight settling on her shoulders. This wasn't just about surviving anymore.
It was about managing the fallout, controlling the narrative, protecting the company and its thousands of employees from the scandal that was about to engulf them. I need to make a statement, she said, before the story breaks on its own terms. We control this or it controls us. "At midnight?" Morrison asked.
"The financial markets open in Asia in 3 hours. If this breaks without context, without my voice framing it, our stock price will crater. Competitors will circle like sharks." Elena was already moving her strategic mind, overriding exhaustion and trauma. I need Amanda.
The communications team legal. We draft a statement, release it to major outlets with an embargo until 6:00 a.m. Eastern, and I do a live interview at 7:00. Elena, Marcus said quietly. You just survived a murder attempt. You're allowed to rest.
She looked at him, and for a moment, her mask slipped enough that he saw the bone deep weariness underneath. If I rest, I think about how close I came to dying. How Derek sat across from me in meetings for 2 years planning to kill me. how I trusted people who wanted me dead. Her voice wavered. I can't afford to think about that yet, so I work.
Marcus understood. He'd done the same thing after Melissa left. Burying himself in survival and single parenthood because stopping meant drowning in fear and abandonment. But understanding didn't mean he had to let Elena destroy herself. "Then I'm staying with you."
He said, "You work, I'm there. No arguments." Something softened in Elena's expression. "You should go home. Lily needs you."
"Mrs. Chen is with Lily. What I need is to know you're safe." Marcus stood, ignoring the protest from his bruised ribs. "You said yourself, you don't want to face this alone anymore, so don't." The look Elena gave him was complex.