14

**Chapter 14**

The café’s ambient hum was drowned out by Matthew’s thoughts racing through the implications of Lucas’s revelations. He leaned in, his voice low but filled with steely determination. “What’s Derek’s real role in this?”

Lucas took a deliberate sip of his espresso, clearly enjoying the dramatic tension. “Derek has been more than just a puppet in Rachel’s game. He’s been feeding her information, leveraging his connections to undermine your efforts. But there’s more.”

Matthew’s pulse quickened. “More? What else is there?”

Lucas’s eyes gleamed with calculated coldness. “Derek has been working with a syndicate of corrupt executives. They’re plotting to make it look like you’re failing spectacularly. The plan is to create enough chaos and doubt so that they can swoop in and take over your business empire.”

Yvonne’s face hardened with anger. “And Rachel? What’s her endgame?”

“Rachel’s role is even more insidious,” Lucas said. “She’s been manipulating public perception, using he