Chapter 229: Who is the snake?
Liam’s tension grew. "Tell me clearly," he demanded impatiently. "Don’t hide anything."
Rowan nodded, finally relenting. "Alright," he said quietly. "You deserve to know everything. I’ll tell you everything." He then started narrating how he had fallen into Zachary’s web.
"It all started about a year ago. Zachary blackmailed my secretary and coerced her into leaking the company’s confidential information. By the time I found out," he paused, shaking his head with regret, "it was already too late. Zachary had everything in his hands. If I go against him, the company will collapse."
Liam couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Zachary had not only targeted the Grants, but he had also put the Lawsons under his feet, manipulating them for his own gain. Perhaps even planning to use them as pawns against the Grants. Yet something still didn’t add up. Why would his father force him to marry Riya?
"I don’t understand," Liam said, frowning. "Why force me to marry Riya? She is Zachary’s woman. Wouldn’t that make him furious?"
"No," replied Rowan instantly. "He won’t...His relationship with Riya is a secret that he doesn’t want anyone to know about. To hide this secret, he wants you to marry her."
"I see." A cold sneer crossed Liam’s face. "So that’s the game," he muttered. "That’s the condition he set." His jaw clenched as anger and determination burned within him. He wouldn’t let Zachary use them any longer.
"Don’t worry, Dad," he said with conviction. "I’ll find a way out of this."
"Liam, don’t do anything reckless," Rowan warned anxiously. "Zachary is dangerous. I don’t want you getting caught in his mess."
"Relax, Dad. Have faith in me," Liam said reassuringly. "I won’t let him manipulate us any further. Just give me some time—I’ll recover our company’s data and break free from his control."
Rowan hesitated, torn between fear and hope. Deep down, he wanted nothing more than to free himself from Zachary’s grip. If Liam could really retrieve the company’s confidential files, it would be their best chance. After a moment of silence, he gave a reluctant nod.
"Alright. But be careful," he cautioned his son. "Zachary isn’t someone you can outsmart easily."
"I know, Dad. I’ll be careful." Liam’s expression hardened, his determination set.
Later that night...
Nathaniel’s phone vibrated on the nightstand, pulling him from sleep. He stirred, glancing at the screen. Seeing Ian’s name flash across it, he carefully slipped out of bed, taking care not to disturb Zara’s sleep.
Taking the phone, he slipped out of the bedroom. "Hello?"
"I’ve found the snake," came Ian’s serious voice. "I captured her."
"Her?" Nathaniel frowned, surprised. He had assumed the culprit would be one of the board members who often opposed him—never had he imagined it would be a woman.
"Who is it?" he demanded curiously.
There was a brief pause before Ian replied, "Your secretary, Miss Claire."
"What?" Nathaniel froze, disbelief flashing across his face. "Claire? That’s impossible!"
Nathaniel felt the ground beneath him slip, his mind reeling. His secretary was the most trusted one, who had always been by his side, working so efficiently without a complaint all those years. The idea that she could betray him seemed absurd.
"You must be mistaken," he insisted, shaking his head. "Double-check everything. Don’t go around accusing an innocent person."
"I did check," Ian said firmly. "I didn’t believe it either at first—but the evidence is solid. She is the one who stole the project data. She has been gathering confidential information to pass on to Zachary. Luckily, I caught her before she could send anything out."
"Impossible," Nathaniel muttered, his mind refusing to accept it. "Why would Claire do something like that? She and Roberto were the most loyal people I’ve ever had. After Roberto was gone, she worked tirelessly—never complained, never even took a day off. And now you are saying she has joined hands with Zachary?"
He shook his head, grimacing. "No, this can’t be true. You should look into it again. You must have misread the situation. It’s probably Zachary—he is setting her up, trying to make me doubt my own people.
"Mr. Grant, I understand how hard this is. But the truth is the truth. I can’t tell you everything on the phone. Let’s meet."
Nathaniel drew in a long breath, forcing himself to think clearly. He needed answers. "Alright," he said after a pause. "Send me the location. I’ll be there."
Ending the call, he strode back into the room. For a moment, he stopped by the bed, his gaze softening as it fell on Zara’s sleeping face. The peaceful rise and fall of her breath made him want to lie beside her, pull her close, and forget everything else.
In the meantime, his phone buzzed, breaking the spell.
He checked the phone to find a message from Ian, who had sent him the location of their meeting. His jaw locked, his eyes sharpening. He walked into the closet, changed quickly, and headed out without sparing a glance at the clock.
After some time, Nathaniel appeared at the location where Ian had asked him to come. He spotted Ian’s car parked by the side of the road and pulled in just behind it, expecting Ian to appear. But there was no sign of him.
A frown creased Nathaniel’s brow as unease crept in. "Where is he?" he wondered, scanning the deserted road.
His gaze drifted to the sea on the right, waves breaking against the shore under the soft glow of the moonlight.
Concerned, he dialed his number. The call was connected quickly.
"Arrived?" came Ian’s voice. "I am at the beach. Come over."
Without waiting for Nathaniel’s reply, Ian ended the call.
Nathaniel pressed his lips together, irritation flickering across his face. "Who is in charge here? He is acting like he is the boss," he muttered, stepping out of the car. "God, how much longer do I have to put up with him? Send Roberto back... I need him so badly."
Grumbling to himself, he made his way across the sand toward the beach, the rhythmic sound of waves lapping the shore filling his ears. After a short walk, he spotted Ian’s hunched figure crouched on the sand. Nathaniel quickened his pace, the salty air filling his lungs.
As he neared him, he heard Ian mumbling, "Cursing me? I heard that."
"Do you want me to give you a beating?" Nathaniel grunted, breathing heavily.
"I’m not looking for a death wish," Ian said flippantly. "Don’t be angry all the time. It’s not good for health. Sit down, relax a bit, and take in the view. Look at the sea. Isn’t it beautiful?"
He leaned back on his hands, stretching slightly. "Being here makes all my tension disappear. You’ll feel the same. Just breathe and unwind for a moment."
His words only added to Nathaniel’s irritation, but he begrudgingly lowered himself onto the sand beside Ian. "I’m not here to relax," he muttered. "I want to know what you discovered about Claire. Why would she betray me?"
Ian let out a long, weary sigh. "Everyone has their weaknesses and secrets. People like Zachary exploit those fears to manipulate others into doing what he wants."
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes as he processed Ian’s words. "You mean – he blackmailed Claire."