Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 49: The Game Changes

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Game Changes

Lily stood in the middle of the room, holding the leather-bound notebook that had turned out to be the secret, as the constant bustle of the city echoed outside the penthouse windows. There was tension in the air, a hush weighed down by unsaid words. Leaning against the table’s edge, Ethan fixed her with his piercing gaze.

With a calm but worried tone, he asked, "What are you going to do now?"

With the notepad crushing down on her hands, Lily paused. She had devoted days to reading over its pages, assembling a web of deceit, treachery, and corruption that extended well beyond her failing marriage. Not only was Daniel unfaithful, but he was also intricately involved in something much darker.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper as she confessed, "I’m not sure." "This is larger than I ever thought it would be."

Ethan moved from the table and took a few fast steps across the room until he was standing right in front of her. "Lily, you can’t do this by yourself. These individuals are predators as well as businesspeople. Anyone who poses a threat to them will be destroyed.

Her jaw tensed as she gazed up at him. "I have no other option. Too much has already been ruined by them. They will prevail if I don’t fight back right away.

Ethan’s eyes grew softer as he extended his hand to lightly stroke her arm. "Then allow me to assist you. Although you are courageous, even the strongest people require allies.

Lily was tired, but she wanted to argue and tell him that she didn’t need anyone. The prospect of not having to fight this war alone gave her the slightest sense of relief for the first time in weeks.

"All right," she answered firmly. "But this is how we do it."

With a glimmer of admiration in his eyes, Ethan grinned. "There is no other way I would have it."

Lily let out a breath and relaxed her hold on the notebook. "I must face Daniel," she declared. "He alone is capable of filling in the blanks."

A frown took the place of Ethan’s smirk. "That is a risky action. Confronting him might give them away if he is associated with these individuals. They’ll realize you’ve got them.

Lily’s voice hardened as she continued, "I don’t care." "I’m not leaving until I get the answers he owes me."

After examining her for a while, Ethan nodded. "Then I’ll accompany you."

Lily and Ethan’s silence was thick with anticipation during the tense vehicle journey to Daniel’s workplace. As she gazed out the window, Lily’s mind was racing with ideas on what she would say and how she would persuade Daniel to be honest with her.

Upon their arrival, the streamlined glass structure towered over them, its mirror-like exterior shimmering in the sunlight. When Lily got out of the car, she squared her shoulders and exuded determination.

As they moved through the lobby and into the elevator, Ethan was just behind them, providing stability.

Lily felt her heart thumping in her chest as they arrived at Daniel’s floor. The fact that this moment had finally arrived was almost overpowering, even though she had dreamed about it countless times.

She pushed open his office door and looked directly at Daniel, who was sitting behind his enormous oak desk. His jaw tightened as he stood, his face changing from surprise to annoyance.

"Lily," he answered sharply and coolly. "Why are you in this place?"

With a firm voice despite the internal tempest, she answered, "I think you know." With the notepad in her hands like a weapon, she took a step forward.

Ethan was standing quietly behind her, his presence a subtle threat when Daniel’s gaze shifted to his. "And who gave him the invitation?"

"I did," Lily firmly stated. "You have no right to tell me who I should bring. No more.

Daniel made a small line with his lips but remained silent.

Lily went on, raising her voice, "I want answers." "I am aware of the transactions, the money laundering, and the individuals you are collaborating with." Daniel, I know everything. I would also like to hear from you.

Daniel remained silent for a minute, studying her with narrowed eyes. Then, with a quiet laugh, he sunk back into his chair slowly.

"You think you know everything," he remarked in a sarcastic tone. However, you don’t. You don’t know what you’re up against.

The notebook was slammed onto his desk as Lily shouted, "Then tell me." "Tell me about it."

Daniel’s visage hardened as the icy, cunning guy underneath the veneer of indifference began to show. "Lily, you don’t get it. It’s not just about me here. It is larger than both of us and you. You will kill yourself if you continue to push.

Lily retorted, "I’ll take that risk." "You and the people you work for don’t frighten me."

Daniel’s hands gripped the desk’s edge as his jaw tensed. "You ought to be."

Then Ethan moved forward, his tone forceful but calm. "Daniel, stop making threats. Simply be honest with her.

A glimmer of recognition appeared in Daniel’s eyes as he turned to face Ethan. "Do you not realize what you’ve gotten yourself into?"

Ethan answered, "I think we’ve all had enough of the cryptic warnings." "Speak up, or we’ll find someone else to do it."

Daniel’s confidence appeared to falter for a brief period. Then he sighed deeply and sat back in his chair, staring at Lily.

"All right," he said. "You’re looking for the truth? Here it is. I am involved with them, yes. Yes, I have done some things that I regret. But power and greed weren’t the only factors. I had no other option.

With a voice shaking with rage, Lily replied, "There’s always a choice."

Daniel shot back, "Not when they have a gun to your head." "Or worse, to the ones you love."

His comments struck Lily like a blow, causing her heart to sink. Daniel had been the villain she had hoped to see, a monster who had betrayed her without regret. She wasn’t so sure now, though.

Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she questioned, "What do they want?"

Daniel paused, looking from her to Ethan and back again. "Manage. Strength. They don’t care who they harm in the process, and they will stop at nothing to obtain it.

As Lily realized the full extent of the issue, her stomach churned. She had believed that she was fighting for retribution and justice. Now, though, she felt as though she was playing a game that she didn’t entirely comprehend.

Daniel’s tone softened as he replied, "Lily, you must stop." "Get out of here before it’s too late."

"I can’t," she answered firmly despite the anxiety that was roiling within her. "I’ve gone too far to turn back now."

A glimmer of sadness flickered across Daniel’s features as his demeanor stiffened. "You’re a fool, then."

Ethan took a step forward and put a comforting hand on Lily’s shoulder. "I am also an idiot if she is. And we’re not going anywhere.

Lily gazed up at Ethan, her heart bursting with appreciation for his steadfast assistance.

Lily had a fresh feeling of direction as they walked out of Daniel’s office. She wasn’t going to let it break her, even though the game had changed. She was prepared to take on whatever was ahead with Ethan at her side.