Chapter 6 - The Desperate Trap
It took two days for Gregory to make his move.
During that time, I stayed at my condo, completely alone, just as I normally would. I went to work. I bought groceries. I played the role of a woman who thought the worst was over.
But behind the scenes, my home was wired with hidden cameras, and Marcus had a tactical team positioned in the empty apartment directly across the hall.
On Thursday evening, my phone rang. The caller ID flashed Gregory's name.
I let it ring three times before answering, making my voice sound tired and wary. “What do you want, Gregory?”
“Elara,” he said, his voice thick with fake emotion. “I know I messed up. I know I’m a terrible person. But I need to see you. One last time.”
“I told you to talk to my lawyers.”
“Please,” he begged. “Just... let me get the rest of my things from the condo. Some old photos of my dad. My winter coats. I’ll sign the annulment papers right there on the kitchen island. I just want to look you in the eye and apologize properly before I leave the city for good.”
I closed my eyes. The performance was sickeningly good. If I hadn't known about the life insurance policy, I might have felt a shred of pity.
“Fine,” I said, keeping my tone clipped. “Tomorrow night. 8:00 PM. You come alone, you pack your things, and you leave.”
“Thank you, Elara. Thank you.”
He hung up.
I looked up at the corner of my ceiling, where a microscopic camera lens was hidden in the smoke detector.
“He took the bait,” I said to the empty room.
My earpiece crackled. Marcus's voice came through. “Audio confirmed. The syndicate's enforcers have been tracking his movements. If he's planning a staged home invasion, he's bringing them with him tomorrow night.”
The plan was set. Gregory thought he was luring a sheep to the slaughter. He didn't realize he was walking into a fortress guarded by wolves.
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The next 24 hours felt agonizingly slow. I mentally prepared myself, falling back into the breathing exercises my father had taught me. I was no longer Elara the analyst, nor Elara the CEO.
I was a weapon, coiled and ready to strike.
