Chapter 15: The Price of Betrayal
Olivia looked like she wanted the floor to open beneath her.
“No.””
Her voice was barely a whisper.
“Don’t listen to him.””
I stared at her.
“Were you paid?””
She shook her head quickly.
“No.””
But her eyes moved away.
And I knew.
I knew before she spoke.
Because guilt had a language.
And Olivia was fluent.
My father stepped forward.
“Olivia.””
She looked at him.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen.””
“What did you do?””
Her face crumpled.
“I only helped him find information.””
The room went silent.
My father looked devastated.
“Him?””
I turned toward Victor.
“You.””
Victor smiled.
“I never forced her.””
Olivia looked angry.
“You said it would only be about getting access.””
Victor shrugged.
“And you agreed.””
I felt something inside me break.
Not because Olivia betrayed me.
I expected that.
But because she looked so small.
So desperate.
Like she had spent her whole life trying to prove she mattered.
And someone like Victor saw that weakness.
“You used her.””
Victor looked at me.
“Everyone uses everyone.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“That’s what people say when they want an excuse.””
Olivia wiped her eyes.
“I didn’t know about your mother.””
I looked at her.
“What did you think you were helping with?””
She didn’t answer.
That was the answer.
My father sat down.
“I can’t believe this.””
Olivia looked at him.
“Dad…”
He moved away.
That hurt her more than anything I could have said.
Because she finally understood.
The person she spent years trying to impress was disappointed.
Not angry.
Not yelling.
Disappointed.
Claire stepped forward.
“Maya.””
I looked at her.
“The evidence from the studio has been copied.””
“By who?””
She checked the system.
“Adrian.””
Everyone looked at him.
His expression changed.
“What?””
Claire held up the tablet.
“Someone accessed the archive using your credentials.””
Adrian stared.
“That’s impossible.””
Victor smiled.
And suddenly I understood.
This was too easy.
Too perfect.
Every secret.
Every accusation.
Every person being blamed.
Someone was controlling the story.
“Wait.””
Everyone turned toward me.
I looked at the evidence.
“The access happened when?””
Claire checked.
“Ten minutes ago.””
I looked at Victor.
“You’ve been here.””
“Yes.””
“You knew we would find this room.””
Victor said nothing.
“You wanted us to see the evidence.””
His expression shifted slightly.
“You wanted everyone to turn against each other.””
Nobody spoke.
Because it was true.
Victor didn’t come here to steal anything.
He came here to destroy trust.
My father.
Adrian.
Olivia.
Me.
Everyone.
A knock suddenly came from the doorway.
A police officer entered.
“Maya Carter?””
“Yes?””
He held out a document.
“We received a report regarding illegal possession of confidential recordings.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
The officer looked at Adrian.
“The complaint was filed against him.””
Everyone turned.
Adrian went pale.
“What?””
The officer continued.
“The evidence submitted shows you stole private recordings belonging to Elena Carter.””
I looked at Adrian.
He looked shocked.
“No.””
The officer reached for his arm.
“I need you to come with us.””
Adrian looked at me.
“Maya.””
I wanted to believe him.
I wanted to believe the man who helped me rebuild my mother’s dream.
But everything I knew had changed tonight.
As the officer led him away, Adrian stopped.
“Maya, listen to me.””
I stared.
He whispered:
“Your mother knew this would happen.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
He looked terrified.
“She knew someone would try to make me look guilty.””
The officer pulled him away.
I stood frozen.
Then my phone vibrated.
A new message.
From an unknown number.
May you like
One sentence.
*“If Adrian is arrested, you’ll never find the real traitor.””*
