Chapter 19 - The Trap is Sprung
Three days later, an urgent notification flashed across the computer screens of the Costa Foundation's administrative office. Tessa opened an encrypted financial audit report alerting her to an alleged discrepancy involving millions of dollars in anonymous donations flowing through offshore shell companies—shell companies that conveniently matched the exact names of her former payday lenders and medical debt collectors. The fabricated paper trail was designed to look like she was embezzling foundation funds to settle personal vendettas, cleverly orchestrated to land directly on Damian’s desk during the upcoming quarterly review.
Tessa stared at the glowing monitor, her heart skipping a beat. She knew immediately that it was a crude, malicious fabrication planted by someone inside the syndicate trying to drive a wedge between her and Damian. Instead of panicking or hiding the report, she printed out every single page, stood up from her desk, and walked straight out of her office with quiet determination.
She marched up to the third-floor private study, bypassing the formalities and pushing the heavy oak door open without knocking. Damian was standing by the window looking over a tactical briefing, but he turned around instantly when he heard the door open, his expression softening the moment he saw her face.
"Tessa," Damian began gently, stepping forward. "I already know about the forged audit report. Paul intercepted their data packets two days ago."
Tessa blinked, holding out the printed pages. "You knew? Then why didn't you shut down their servers immediately?" Because I wanted to see how far Sal Maroni and his little conspirators were willing to crawl out of the woodwork," Damian replied, a chillingly calm confidence in his voice. "Tonight, we are hosting a formal executive dinner in the main banquet hall to review the foundation’s annual metrics. I invited Maroni and his senior capos to attend personally under the guise of an open floor discussion."
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Tessa’s eyes widened with understanding. "You're drawing them all into the lions' den."
"Exactly," Damian said, stepping close enough to cup her cheek with his warm hand, his thumb gently stroking her skin. "They think my love for you is a weakness they can exploit. Tonight, I am going to show them that loving you is the deadliest weapon in my entire arsenal."
