Welcome to your cheating all the time.

I'm lady truth.

Let's get into this crazy cheat.

The rain drummed on the car's windshield like a thousand tiny fists, drowning out the usual hum of late night traffic.

Paul cranked the wipers up to their fastest speed, but could hardly see the entrance to the towering glass office building across the street.

His heart tapped in sync with the rain drops.

He checked the time on his phone.

Nine fourteen p m.

She's late again, he muttered to himself, running a hand through his damp hair.

Linda, his wife of six years, had texted him to pick her up at the office tonight.

She worked as a personal assistant at Helix's Solutions, a tech firm with clients all over the country.

Lately, Linda had been staying late more often, citing urgent tasks and high pressure deadlines.

Paul never doubted her before.

She'd always been ambitious, always chasing that now next promotion.

But there was something different these past few weeks.

The evasive looks, the rushed phone calls behind closed doors.

He stared through the windshield at the lit lobby, waiting for her figure to appear.

Eventually, the glass door slid open, revealing Linda hurrying out into the storm.

She was juggling the sleek black umbrella and a folder filled with papers.

Her stilettos clicked against the wet concrete as she scurried over to the car.

In the glow of the street lamp, he caught a glimpse of her tense expression.

She slid into the passenger seat, bringing a gust of cool, rain scented air with her.

Thanks for waiting, Linda said, voice clipped.

She was breathing quickly, like she'd just run a marathon.

Paul offered a small smile.

It's fine, I know, work's bin intense.

As he pulled into traffic, a distant rumble of thunder rolled across the sky.

Linda tucked her dark hair behind her ears and stared out the side window.

He noticed she didn't meet his eye in the rear view mirror, even when he glanced back at her.

That was new, everything okay, Paul asked, trying to sound casual.

Yeah, just some last minute tasks, she replied, but her words felt hollow.

They stopped at a red light.

Paul glanced at her coat draped over the back seat, Linda usually stuffed it in her bag, but tonight she'd left it out.

Something small glinted in the pocket, and a half second decision, he reached for it, thinking maybe she had forgotten her phone.

What he found was a plane USB drive, silver with a tiny crack along one edge.

He turned it over in his fingers.

It looked out of place, certainly not the typical Helix's Solutions merchandise she sometimes brought home.

Linda, is this yours?

He asked quietly, holding the USB up.

She whipped her head around, eyes wide for an instant raw fear flickered across her face, just long enough for him to notice before she forced a tight smile.

Oh that, yes, it's just some data, mister Richard asked me to bring home, nothing important, she said, snatching the us B from his hand a little too quickly.

Her voice trembled, and Paul felt the first sparks of Unea's coil around his chest.

The light turned green, and he drove on, mentally replaying that brief moment of panic in Linda's eyes.

By the time they reached their modest apartment complex, the rain had eased into a steady drizzle.

Linda hurried inside without waiting for him, claiming she needed to shower and check on something for the morning meeting.

Paul grabbed the mail from the box in the lobby, feeling an uneasy knot in his stomach.

The echo of Linda's high heels faded up the stairs.

He lingered a moment, glancing at the US beach in her hand as she disappeared around the corner.

He'd never been the jealous type, but something about to night, her urgency, that slip in her composure, stirred a suspicion he couldn't ignore.

Later that night, while Linda was in the shower, he tiptoed to her handbag.

She'd left it on the couch.

He rummaged carefully, trying to keep the rustling noise to a minimum.

There in the side pocket was the us B drive.

It felt oddly weighty in his palm, as though it held secrets too big for its tiny frame.

With f Linda's muffled singing coming from the bathroom, Paul slid the USB into his own lap hoop.

The device popped onto the screen with an innocuous folder project documents.

His cursor hovered.

He clicked the screen flickered as several video files and subfolders sprang into view.

He clicked on the first video, expecting some standard corporate footage or a product demonstration.

Instead, the open ning seconds revealed a dimly lit hotel room.

The camera angle's shaky.

Someone's phone had been used to film.

Then he saw Linda's face.

His breath caught in his throat.

She was with another man, tall and broad shouldered, in an unbuttoned dress shirt that looked nauseatingly familiar Richard, her boss.

Paul's heart thundered louder than the night's storm.

A swirling mixture of rage, betrayal, and disbelief churned inside him.

He slammed the lapthop shut, feeling like he might vomit.

The shower hissed to a stop, and water droplets pattered on the tile.

This can't be real.

She wouldn't.

Why would she do this?

The question pounded in his mind as he clung to the edge of the table to steady himself.

Everything around him, his apartment, his marriage, his sense of self suddenly felt precarious, like a glass teetering on the brink of a countertop, one nudge away from shattering.

He cared fully, removed the us B, slid it back into Linda's bag, and backed away like it was a live grenade.

In the bathroom, he heard Linda humming, unaware, unconcerned.

Paul stared at the closed door, fists clenched, thoughts in a wild tangle of pain and fury.

The first flash of revenge flitted through his mind, though he couldn't quite name it yet, all he knew was that his life had just changed forever.

Paul spent the next morning in a fog of exhaustion, replaying the video in his head.

He hadn't slept.

Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw Linda's face twisted in fleeting ecstasy with her boss.

Every nerve in his body told him to confront her, to scream, to demand answers, yet an unsteady caution held him back.

He sipped burnt coffee in the kitchen, staring at the fading paint on the cabinets as though searching for answers in the peeling corners.

Linda breezed by, dressed for work in a show sharp black suit and heels.

Morning, Paul, she said, offering a stiff smile.

Hey he managed, forcing a casual tone.

Part of him wanted to fling the mug across the room and watch it shatter, but for now, he swallowed the rage.

She left in a hurry, muttering something about an early meeting.

His mind flicked to the night before, her trembling hands the USB's incriminating secrets.

Paul down the coffee, wincing at the bitterness.

He couldn't keep up this facade for long.

The betrayal felt like a knife lodged beneath his ribs.

He needed clarity, He needed proof beyond one video.

Disturbing though it was.

He grabbed his car keys and set off for his own job at a small IT consulting firm.

On the drive, he tried to focus on the mundane tasks that awaited him, server checks, security updates, but his mind kept drifting back to Linda.

How many times had she lied to him?

How long has this been going on?

He parked in the drab gray lot behind his building and trudged inside, ignoring the neon vending machine in the corner of the lobby.

Normally he'd snag a snack and chat with a receptionist, but not today.

He felt like a ghost drifting through an alien world inside his cramped office, more of a cubicle than anything else.

He booted up his desktop.

A swirl of code lined the screen as he logged into the system.

He tapped his fingers impatiently, eyes flicking to the clock on his monitor.

Every minute felt like an hour.

Hey, Paul, yougut His co worker Brenna peeked over the cubicle wall.

Yeah, he lied, just a rough night.

Brenner raised an eyebrow but said nothing else.

Returning to her station, Paul typed absently, pulling up routine maintenance tasks, hardly seeing the code.

Instead, images of Linda and Richard looped in his mind.

The sickening feeling grew stronger by noon.

He couldn't take it anymore.

Slamming his lap hoop shut, he gave an excuse to his manager, some nonsense about a personal emergency.

He walked out into the chilly midday air, got into his car and just sat there.

I need more details, he thought, I need to know exactly what's going on.

If Flinda was having an affair with her boss, there had to be text messages, emails, something more than a single video.

Could it be blackmail?

Could she be a reluctant victim.

The look in Linda's eyes last night suggested something deeper, something beyond fear.

He remembered glimpsing the e mail icon labeled project documents inside the U s B.

Maybe the proof lay in that folder.

He was an id guy.

Digging into systems was practically second nature.

He could access Helix's solution network if he tried hard enough, though it would be risky and certainly unethical without clearance.

Paul's jaw clenched.

Ethical, he scoffed inwardly.

His wife's fidelity had been tossed out the window.

Right now his morality had a singular purpose, to find the truth.

He started the car and drove aimlessly, passing by Linda's office building, just to see if her car was there.

It was, the sleek black sedan sheet insisted on leasing, draining their finances in the name of looking professional.

Another wave of resentment welled up in him.

Finally, he parked on a side street.

He pulled out his personal lap hop from the back seat, using his phone's hot spot.

His fingers hovered over the keyboard.

He was about to do something that could cost him his job, maybe even lead to legal trouble, but the memory of Linda with Richard flashed in his mind, the betrayal fueling his actions.

Screw it, he thought, and started typing.

He searched for known vulnerabilities, employees, default passwords, ways to infiltrate Helix's corporate server.

The city buzzed around him, horns honking passers by clutching take out cups, but he tuned it all out.

He was determined to see just how deep Linda's secrets went.

As the afternoon sun slid behind a row of tall buildings, Paul felt a surge of adrenaline.

A partial back door to Helix's data center lay in front of him.

He recognized the architecture, an older firewall version with known exploits.

He'd log in as a ghost, rummaged through their internal communications.

Just a peak, he whispered, though the guilt twisted in his gut, but he needed answers.

His entire marriage was on the line.

With one final keystroke, he passed through the digital threshold into helix Solutions private domain.

He exhaled a shaky breath, realizing there would be no turning back.

The next morning, Paul forced himself to act normal at his own office.

He finished a few routine tasks under Brenner's watchful gaze.

She kept asking if he was okay, and he continued with half hearted smiles.

Inside, he was a bundle of nerves thinking about the data he'd scene overnight.

He'd discovered employee directories, internal memos, and even snippets of chat logs from Helix's solutions.

The place was bigger than he realized, with high profile clients and multimillion dollar contracts.

Its CEO, Richard Dalton, whom Linda simply referred to as mister Richard, was well known in the tech industry, charismatic, intelligent, but rumored to be ruthless.

Paul had always pictured him as an intimidating figure in a designer suit.

Now, after seeing that video, Paul saw him as something else, a predator.

The logs hinted at hush hush deals, lines of text within complete references to payoffs and non disclosure conditions.

His heart pounded at the possibility that Linda was not the first subordinate to receive favors.

By lunchheime, Paul could barely concentrate.

He called it quits early and drove to a coffee shop downtown.

Slipping into a corner's seat, lap hop open, headphones on, he returned to helix his server, scanning directories with surgical precision.

He found Linda's email account under her official name Linda Morgan, in her inbox, where messages from Richard often flagged urgent, often timed late at night.

Great job at the meeting today.

Let's discuss your future with a company over a private dinner.

Don't forget the docks.

Bring them to me by ten p m.

Or else we'll have a problem.

After The tone was controlling, Paul's frustration grew with each email.

Some were borderline threatening, others sweetened with a promise of possible stock options.

He recognized Linda's replies polite but laced with hints of excitement at the idea of eventually receiving something big.

She wrote about how she've appreciated his visionary leadership and looked forward to expanding her role.

She's not just a victim here, Paul realized, with a hollow ache in his chest.

She's going along with it.

She's counting on those shares.

He browsed deeper, stumbling on a folder labeled Private Underscore video, a jolt of cold anger shot through him, despite himself.

He clicked.

There were multiple files, some with time stamps going back two months.

Linda was featured in at least a few of them, all marked with cryptic codes.

Paul closed the folder, fighting the urge to smash his lapop.

The weight of Linda's betrayal pressed down on him, heavier than he'd ever felt.

He thought about confronting her directly, but a grin sense of caution told him to wait.

He needed to know just how far she was willing to go.

Gathering his things, Paul left the coffee shop outside the city was alive with midday bustle.

Office workers grabbed lunch.

Cabs honked, A light breeze rustled the leaves of street side trees.

He felt utterly disconnected from all of it.

I'm living in a night neer, he thought, How did we get here?

That evening, he tried to act normal at home.

Linda came back late again, claiming an urgent project.

She looked exhausted, but also strangely exhilarated, a flicker of ambition in her eyes.

They exchanged minimal words over microwaved leftovers.

Neither mentioned the flash drive before going to bed, Linda scrolled through her phone, biting her lip.

Paul watched from the corner of his eye.

She typed a message, then deleted it, typed again.

Eventually she locked the screen and let out a sigh.

Everything good, Paul asked, feigning indifference.

Yeah, just work, she said, eyes flaking away.

Paul nodded, forcing a tight smile inside, he felt his anger deepen.

You think I don't know, he wanted to say, but held back.

Later that night, while Linda slept, Paul hunched over his laptop in the dim light of the living room.

He'd discovered a new set of documents referencing Helix's upcoming shareholder conference, something about a major venture capital investment.

If he was reading things correctly, Richard planned to showcase Helix's new product line, hoping to reel in millions in fresh funding.

Linda, as his personal assistant, was deeply involved in the prep.

That must be the big event she keeps talking about, Paul mused, and from the email trails, it looked like Richard was using Linda for more than just administrative tasks.

A sick feeling ing nod at Paul, could Linda be banking on a future partnership with Richard.

The mention of when I finalize my divorce, you'll get your share stuck out like a neon sign.

She's actually betting on him, leaving his wife for money.

Paul sank back against the couch cushions, letting out a trembling breath.

This wasn't a mere affair or a momentary lapse in judgment.

Linda was actively playing along, drawn by the promise of financial gain.

The woman he had loved, trusted was forging her path through manipulation and secrecy.

He clenched his fists, eyes narrowed at the lap hops green.

His mind wandered to the possibilities of retaliation, exposing them both, humiliating them the way he felt humiliated.

But a small voice asked if Linda was being forced into it.

The emails seemed to suggest otherwise, though the entire situation was tangled in complicated motives fear, ambition, lust, greed.

I need more time, Paul decided, I need every piece of evidence, then I'll decide what to do.

Glancing at the clock, he realized it was nearly three a m.

The hush of the apartment pressed against him, but he found no peace in the silence.

He closed his lap pop, picturing Richard's smug grin and Linda's hungry gaze.

Tomorrow, he told himself he'd delve even deeper.

Paul woke early the next day, the bitterness in his chest having festered overnight.

By the time Linda wandered into the kitchen, hair tousled, still wearing her satin robe, he was already showered, dressed, and staring at a half eaten bowl of cereal.

She poured herself coffee, glancing at him over the rim of the mug.

You're up early.

Couldn't sleep, he replied flatly.

Their small apartment felt strangely cold, as if an invisible barrier separated them.

Linda toyed with a coffee spoon, eyes darting away whenever he tried to make contact.

Look, Paul, she began tentatively.

Work's been crazy.

I know we haven't had much time together, and you don't owe me an explanation.

He cut her off, forcing a tight smile.

I get it.

Ambition dead lines, right, she blinked, taken aback.

Well, yeah, I mean, I'm just doing what I have to do.

He said, nothing more.

The quietness hovered between them, thick with unspoken truths.

Eventually, Linda retreated to the bedroom to get ready.

As she left, Paul noticed her phone lighting up with a text message.

He couldn't help glancing at it.

Richard seven ten a M.

I need you to confirm those files from last night.

Don't forget what we talked about.

We're in this together, Paul inhaled sharply.

He felt his temper flare, but he steadied himself.

She was actively co ordinating with Richard Wright under his nose, confident he was none the wiser, or maybe he thought grimly, she just assumed he wouldn't do anything about it.

An hour later, Linda left for the office.

Paul followed suit, heading to his own job.

The day dragged on, each minute, overshadowed by the weight of his discovery.

During his lunch break, he pulled up more of Helix's internal files from the back door access he'd found.

Searching for Linda's name, He stumbled upon logs referencing her role in orchestrating the upcoming shareholder conference.

She wasn't just an assistant who took notes.

She was actively handling vital data, scheduling online presentations, and preparing slides for Richard.

One particular email chain caught his eye.

Linda had written, don't worry, mister Richard, lle and sure all transition files are sickureed heeared, once the investment is locked in.

I trust you'll keep your promise.

The language was careful, but dripped with implied reward.

Keep your promise.

Paul read it three times, his stomach twisting.

That evening, he decided it was time for a subtle test.

As soon as Linda got home late, of course, he casually asked about her day.

She mumbled something about deadlines.

Then he pressed further, so he said, did you finalize everything with Richard for the shareholder conference?

She froze in the act of slipping off her heels.

Her eyes flicked up, a surprise flashing across her features.

How do you know about the shareholder meeting?

Paul shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

I hear things here and there.

You know, the tech world is small.

She forced a laugh.

Oh right, yeah, it's a big event, but it's still hush hush, so not much to say.

They locked gazes for a tense second.

Linda was the first to look away, A slight dremmer in her hands as she busied herself with setting her shoes aside.

In that moment, Paul understood she was wilfully concealing everything about her involvement with Richard.

She was no helpless victim.

She was complicit, possibly enthralled by the money she thought she'd gain.

When she excused herself to shower, Paul walked into the living room and powered up his personal lapop.

He navigated to the video files from the USB, once more, forcing himself to watch fragments of Linda's interactions with Richard.

She wasn't cowing, she wasn't begging for mercy.

She looked involved, eager.

Something in Paul snapped.

He felt a burning desire for retribution.

He could expose them both ruined Richard's carefully orchestrated conference, and if Linda lost her job, so be it.

She had trampled on their vows for a shot at wealth.

Yet a small part of him still cared.

Or maybe it was just the echo of the love he once had.

He switched off the video in disgust.

This can't go unpunished, he thought, stepping away from the dusk, A quiet rage vibrated inside him.

Fueling every breath.

At midnight, after Linda fell asleep, Paul settled at the table with his laptop.

He methodically began placing hidden trackers and small bits of malicious code into helixes system bits that would AutoPlay certain videos during crucial presentations.

He worked in silence, only the hum of the refrigerator filling the background.

I'll ruin them in front of ever one, he thought, with grim determination.

And I won't let her slip away unscathed.

As he finished writing a final line of code, a swirl of conflicting emotions welled up.

Heartache, betrayal, fury, and maybe a flicker of sorrow for the love they once shared.

He pushed it all aside, telling himself he had no choice.

His finger hovered over the enter key, eyes flicking toward the closed bedroom door where Linda slept.

Then, with a steady exhale, he pressed down, sealing the start of a very dangerous game.

Paul's headlights cut through the dark suburban streets as he headed home from a quick grocery run.

The radio played softly some talk show he wasn't really listening to.

His mind churned with images from the past few days, Linda's guarded expressions, the hidden us B, and those damning video clips.

He hadn't confronted her directly yet, but anger simmered beneath his calm exterior.

He pulled into the driveway and killed the engine.

Before stepping out, Paul allowed himself a moment to reflect.

Memories of early dates with Linda flickered through his mind like a fragmented movie reel.

Cheap diner meals.

They both adored, long walks in the local park, night spent dreaming of a better future.

She used to laugh at his corny jokes and say that as long as they had each other, they didn't need much else.

But somewhere along the line, Linda's desire for financial security grew sharper.

Small resentments about their modest lifestyle piled up.

Why Paul's paycheck wasn't larder, why they still drove second hand cars, why they lived in an aging apartment.

It had all seemed like petty complaints at first, but now looking back, Paul realized those were the seeds of her growing dissatisfaction.

Shaking off the thought, he exited the car.

The porch light revealed a swirl of early spring moths fluttering near the bulb.

Everything felt oddly still.

He stepped inside to find Linda in the living room, perched on the edge of the couch with her lap hop open.

She looked up, startled.

You're back already, she said, snapping the computer shut.

Paul offered a curt nod, noting her tense posture.

Ye lines were short.

Grab some milk and bread, write, Linda, fake to smile.

I've got a busy day tomorrow.

I might stay over night at the office if there's a deadline.

She'd done that twice already in the last month, Always a deadline, always an excuse that ended with her not coming home.

Paul simply murmured sure.

As Linda disappeared into the bedroom, he moved to the kitchen and started unpacking groceries.

The weight of his frustration g nod at him.

He recalled the old times again, those simpler days when Linda's big dreams felt harmless.

They both came from families that struggled, so Linda's thirst for a better life made sense at first.

Still, he never imagined it would lead her down such a dark path.

Late that night, with Linda's sleep, Paul locked himself in the study, He brought up a secure folder containing Helix's solutions internal files that he had secretly copied more incriminating emails, more evidence of Linda's involvement with Richard.

He lingered on a chat transcript where Linda flattered Richard, mentioning how she'd do whatever it took to be part of his future plans.

The words hollowed out Paul's chest.

You're not a helpless victim, Linda, you wanted this.

The next morning, driving to his small eighty job, Paul's sense of betrayal solidified into determination.

He remembered the HELIXX shareholder meeting on the horizon, likely the perfect stage for Richard to unveil new investments and expansions, a perfect stage two for Paul to strike back.

He parked outside the cramped building.

His coworker, Brenna, eyes rinked with exhaustion, greeted him at the elevator.

Hey, Paul, you all are I't you've seamed off these days?

He mustered a polite might shrug.

You know, life's stuff, but I'll manage.

Brenna gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

If you ever need to talk I'm here, thanks, he said, grateful but unwilling to spill.

Instead, he silently vowed to build a strategy, one that would expose Linda and Richard without completely destroying himself.

As he settled into his office, a faint flicker of guilt surfaced.

Did he really want to ruin Linda?

Part of him yearn to pull her away from Richard's influence, to show her she was making a disastrous choice, and other part seethed, wanting her to feel the same humiliation He felt.

They deserve whatever's coming.

But do I want to save Linda from this or let her crash and burn?

An e mail notification pinged on his screen, snapping him back to work for the moment.

He shoved his personal turmoil aside, Yet the plan, his plan kept forming in his head, each new piece of evidences fueling his resolve to act.

Late the following evening, Linda walked into the sleek Helix Solutions headquarters downtown.

The lab beglowed with modern flare marble floors, a glass waterfall installation, and large digital screens cycling through Helixes achievements.

She checked the time on her phone, noticing a text from Richard Richard, come to my office.

Once you're here important updates on the investment deal.

Linda hit the elevator button for the executive floor.

She wore a tailored navy blue pantsuit, an outfit that radiated a confidence she didn't entirely feel.

On her way up, she recalled the conversation she'd head with her colleague Gleise earlier that day.

Elise had casually asked if Flinda's special relationship with Richard was rumored or real.

Linda brushed her off, but it was clear whispers were spreading.

Still, none of that mattered as long as Richard kept his promise of awarding her a slice of the company's future.

I'll be out of this cramped life soon, Linda murmured to herself, staring at her reflection in the elevator's mirrored walls.

No more scraping by.

Richard's office was a minimalist expanse of glass walls and abstract paintings.

He stood by the panoramic window, phone in hand.

When Linda entered, he set the device aside and gestured for her to sit.

We're finalizing the terms with two major investors, he said, his tone brimming with self assurance.

Once the funds pour in, Helix will skyrocket, and I hope you remember what we discussed.

Linda nodded, trying to mask her eager anticipation.

Of course, I trust you'll keep your word about the shares once you make the final move on your personal situation.

Richard's eyes flicked with annoyance, but he forced a smooth smile.

Patience, Linda, my divorce process takes time.

Meanwhile, I need you to handle the slide Joe for the big shareholder meeting.

Finesse the details so everything looks spotless.

Let me worry about legalities.

He stepped closer, a predatory glint in his gaze.

Linda stomach twisted with a mix of excitement and dread.

She reminded herself of the end game, a real stake in Helix, enough money to escape her current existence and build something new, free of the old limitations, even free of Paul, if need be.

That thought stung for half a second.

She remembered how supportive Paul once was, how they'd shared dreams together, but her hunger for a more prosperous life overshadowed those memories.

I'll stay late and work on the presentation, she said, shifting her weight.

If we want it flawless, I'll need time.

Richard patted her shoulder, a gesture that felt condescending.

Good girl, and Linda, he lowered his voice.

Keep your eye out for any data breaches.

We've had some suspicious activity and I can't afford any leaks.

If you sense anything off, let me know.

Linda gave a tight nod.

The mention of a breach made her skin crawl.

She'd seen odd signs herself, missing files, glitchy log in attempts, but she never directly linked them to Paul.

Could Paul be behind this, she wondered, an unspoken fear surfacing, She quickly pushed it down, focusing on the lure of success.

Hours later, Linda typed away in the glow of her computer screen while the rest of the building slept.

She crafted the slides for Richard, enduring each statistic, gleamed with promise.

Occasionally, her phone chimed with messages from Paul asking if she'd be home.

She ignored them or responded curtly.

In her mind, she told herself it was for the best, less confrontation, but a gnawing guilt whispered that she was betraying him in more ways than one.

At two a m Lynde finally shut down her computer.

She gazed out across the dark office floor.

This was the realm She've aspired to executive level power, a seat at the table with the high rollers.

Yet deep inside part of her wondered if she was selling more than just her time and energy.

Maybe she was selling her integrity, her marriage, even her soul.

Then she squared her shoulders.

No turning back now, she said under her breath.

She locked Richard's office and made her way out, ignoring the nagging doubt that maybe she'd already gone too far.

Two days later, Paul was in his car on a lunch break from his IT consulting job.

Rain pelted the windshield in a steady rhythm.

Instead of grabbing a sandwich, he was running lines of code on his lap hoop tethered through his phone's hot spot.

The interior smelled faintly of old fast food wrappers, but Paul barely noticed.

He was too focused on covering his digital footprints.

He discovered Helix had hired an external security firm to probe for vulnerabilities that spell danger.

He needed to erase any traces linking back to him.

With swift key strokes, He rerouted suspicious activity to another unsuspecting Helix's employee, a mid level manager named Grant, who used the same default password on multiple accounts.

It felt cruel, but Paul was too far into second guess now, sorry, Grant, Paul muttered to the empty car, But I can't let you get me caught.

After finalizing his tracks, he exhaled heavily.

His phone buzzed an incoming call from Brenna.

Hey, Paul, she said.

The moment he answered, Boss is asking where you are?

Did you forget?

We have a client call in fifteen minutes on my way, he said, checking the time.

Sorry, got caught in traffic.

He ended the call, gilt, nibbling at his nerves.

His real job was slipping, overshadowed by this twisted mission to unmask Linda and Richard.

Back at his office, the day slobbed by until finally the clock hit five p m.

Everyone else cleared out.

Paul stayed late, rummaging through more helix s data.

Just before seven p m, his phone rang.

The screen showed Linda's name, Paul, she said, voice clipped, I'm I'll be home around ten, sure, he replied evenly, take your time.

A pause, then Linda let out a weary sigh.

Something's bothering you write.

You've been different lately, He bit back a sarcastic remark, settling on a neutral tone.

It's just work, stressful times.

You know how it is, right, Okay, we'll talk later.

Paul stared at the phone after she hung up, anger pumping through his veins.

How could she act so casual?

She must really believe I'm clueless, he thought.

Maybe she already considered him irrelevant, someone to toss aside once she had Richard's promised windfall.

The next morning, Linda confronted him in the kitchen, annoyance etched on her face.

You hardly speak to me, Anna Moore.

I wonder why, Paul said, quietly, not looking up from his coffee.

Paul, you need to do better.

Linda snapped your salary, your constant passivity.

It's not cutting it.

We deserve more.

If you can't step up, maybe I have to handle it my own way.

Her words struck like a slap.

Any lingering illusions that Linda was an unwilling victim dissolved.

Go ahead, he retorted, Ice Cold, handle it however you want.

She stormed out, leaving him seething with resentment.

For a moment, regret surfaced.

He once cherished this woman.

Now all he saw was a partner turned star ranger, fixated on stepping up the social ladder, no matter the cost, no more wavering, Paul told himself, Linda and Richard are heading for a fall, and I'm the one who will make it happen.

He grabbed his keys, determination fueling him toward his next move.

By midweek, Paul had an entire arsenal of Helix's private documents stored on an external drive, among them evidence of Richard's financial manipulations, shady dealings with smaller companies, and Linda's explicit messages discussing the future she craved.

Late one night, huddled in the dim glow of a solitary desk lamp, Paul plubbed the drive into his laptop and began editing Helix's critical presentation files.

He emedded hidden Trigger's lines of script that would play certain damning videos at just the right moment For the upcoming shareholder meeting.

Helix planned a major online demonstration, and Paul intended to turn it into a public spectacle of corrupt and betrayal.

As he worked, a quiet knock made him tense up.

He quickly minimized the screen.

Who is it?

Linda's voice filtered through the door.

We need to talk.

Paul unlocked it, letting her in.

She glanced around the small study, papers and cords scattered everywhere.

He forced his expression to remain neutral, even as adrenaline surged Paul.

She began softly, I've been thinking maybe we should take a short trip after this stressful period.

Clear the air, you know.

He studied her face.

Was she feeling guilty or was she just trying to keep him in the dark?

A trip?

Interesting timing, look, Linda side, I know I've been distant, but let's be honest.

We're not in a great place financially, and I'm trying to fix it.

I just want you to understand that I'm doing what's best for us, and you think that's working with Richard, Paul asked, voice tinged with irony.

Her gaze flickered, but she recovered He's offered me a real opportunity, and yes, it might mean you and I eventually move on to bigger things.

Anger roiled under his calm facade.

She's not even denying it, he mustered a half smile.

Well, I won't stand in your way.

Linda blinked, clearly thrown by his cool response.

After a moment, she turned and left without another word.

Paul shut the door, chest tight with pent up rage.

She really plans to abandon me once she secure with Richard's deal.

Fine, let's see how that plays out when it all goes public.

Finalizing his coat, Paul loaded the altered files back into Helix, his server through his hidden access route.

The switch was complete.

Richard and Linda would soon be showcasing a polished investor deck that secretly contained the seeds of their own downfall.

At around three a m.

Paul leaned back in his chair, drained yet resolute.

He pictured the upcoming shareholder meeting, men and women in suits, the promise of big money, Linda standing by richard side anticipating a glorious payday, and then the moment the slides began, everything would crash.

So be it, he whispered, saving the last changes.

His reflection in the dark screen looked unfamiliar, a man driven by vengeance rather than caution.

With that he shut the laptop.

Stepping out into the silent living room, Lynda's door was closed.

He could almost feel the emotional cannonon separating them.

Part of him hated this new version of himself cold scheming, but a deeper part insisted it was necessary.

Intense hush filled the Helix Solution's main lobby as Linda stepped inside early Monday morning.

Sleek black tiles reflected the harsh glow of fluorescent lights overhead reminded of a spotless showroom.

Ordinarily, Linda took pride in strolling through, feeling important today and not in her stomach said otherwise.

Two security guards stood near the elevators, scanning badges more thoroughly than usual.

Linda's pass beaped, the gate clicked open, and they waved her through with curt nods.

Looks like their beefing up security, she muttered to herself, recalling an e mail from the weekend.

Richard had hired an external it firm to crack down on suspicious activity on the top floor.

She braced herself before stepping into Richard's office.

The air in there felt unnaturally cold.

Either the ace was on full blast or Richard's mood was chilling the atmosphere.

He was hunched over a stack of printed reports.

Eyes narrowed, Linda, he said, barely glancing up.

Shut the door.

She did so, heart hammering.

He waved a folder in the air.

We had a second round of security sweeps.

This time they found traces of unauthorized loggins that might lead back to staffers.

I need to ask you, his voice hardened.

Are you absolutely sure your husband isn't involved?

A flicker of panic coursed through Linda.

He's right to suspect Paul, she thought, but forced a calm expression.

Paul's just Paul, she said, summoning a laugh that sounded brittle.

He goes to his own job, then comes home and watches silly shows.

He's not some corporate spy.

Richard examined her face as if searching for the slightest hint of a lie.

Finally, he set the folder aside.

Fine, but if I find out otherwise, I won't hesitate to clean house.

This shareholder meeting is critical, Linda.

Don't forget that, she nodded, wordlessly.

Stepping back.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a text from Paul working late tonight.

She ignored it that evening, Paul occupied a cluttered corner of his living room, lappop propped on a small desk.

As the clock neared seven, Linda walked in, kicked off her heels with a sigh, and slumped into the armchair.

She glanced at Paul, noticing how he calmly typed away, seemingly unconcerned.

Long day, Paul asked, not taking his eyes off the screen, you could say that.

Linda debated how much to reveal.

After a moment, she said, security's crazy at Helix Richard.

Sure someone's poking around, Paul shrugged, makes sense for a big company.

The subtle coolness in his tone set her nerves on edge.

He seemed too unconcerned, almost smug, as if he knew something she didn't.

She forced a casual smile and away, I'm exhausted, she muttered, and rose, going to shower.

Sure, Paul replied, eyes flicking up with an inscrutable look.

In the hallway, Linda paused, hearing a tiny beep from his lapop.

Part of her wanted to barge in, demand to know what he was doing.

Another part feared discovering the truth.

Later that night, Linda slipped under the covers in their bedroom, Paul followed minutes after flipping off the lights.

The darkness amplified the tension hanging between them.

You barely talk to me, enamore, she said, quietly, staring at the faint city glow outside the window.

I talk, he replied, voice flat.

Maybe you just don't like what I have to say.

Something in his tone made her shiver.

She recalled Richard's question, Could Paul be behind the system breeches?

She swallowed hard, telling herself it was impossible.

Paul was too meek to cleuel us or was he outside a stray car?

Alarm echoed in the distance.

Inside the invisible barrier between them felt thicker than ever.

Richard's private conference room boasted a glossy round table and a massive touch screen on the wall.

By Tuesday afternoon, Linda was setting up a slide Joe for a small investor preview.

She tapped a remote, flipping through each slide.

Impressive profit margins, streamlined cost analysis, everything exhuded Helix's solutions, unstoppable rise.

Nice work, Richards said, leaning against the wall, but we need more flash investors.

Eat that up, and Linda, you need to trust me on this.

After the meeting.

Once I lock in this deal, I'll reward those who have stood by me, especially you.

The promise sank into her ears like sweet poison.

She forced a polite nod, ignoring the anxious flutter in her chest.

About your divorce, she ventured.

Richard stiffened, then softened his expression into a confident grin.

Legal processes take time, but don't worry.

I'm close to finalizing you.

Stay focused on these presentations.

Keep your mouth shut about you know our arrangement.

His gaze turned steely.

If you ever cross me or leak anything, I have the means to end it all for you.

That clip we filmed, you remember, Linda's stomach lurched.

She remembered the camera phone aimed at them in a hotel suite.

His idea, he said, for leverage.

At the time, she believed it was just a game.

Now it was a loaded gun.

Richard, she whispered, voice taught I would never I'm all in.

He nodded, stepping forward to kiss her.

She pulled away just enough to make it look like a bashful acceptance.

As soon as she left the room, she hurried to the bathroom and locked the door, pressing her palms against the sink.

Her reflection revealed a woman on the edge, mascara slightly smudged for had beaded with sweat.

This is what I wanted, right, she asked herself, hating how hollow she sounded.

That evening, back at home, Paul observed Linda from across the dinner table.

She barely touched her salad, eyes distant, phone always within reach.

He noticed her tense posture and recognized the signs of someone cornered.

Tough day, he asked, in a neutral tone.

Yeh, she said, forcing a laugh.

Richard's pushing me to polish everything for the big show.

Paul swirled his fork in his glass of water.

Big show must be important, she cast him a quick, wary glance.

It is when it succeeds, everything changes.

Paul's lips curved into a fleeting smirk.

Hope, So, I'd hate to see all your effort go to waste.

Linda paused mid tew, uncertain if he was offering support or delay, de livering a veiled threat.

A tremor of anise ran through her.

After dinner, Paul retreated to his makeshift home office.

He checked his hidden files.

The carefully rigged slides, the embedded auto play triggers.

Everything was ready to blow up in Richard's face and Linda's soon.

He murmured, powering down for the night very soon.

By midweek, Helix's solutions felt more like a war zone.

The IT security contracters, led by sharp eyed woman named Tanya, roamed cubicles and offices, demanding access to devices.

Tension radiated from every corner.

Staff whispered about possible layoffs or worse.

Richard called Linda into his office, jaw tight with frustration.

There close to tracing the infiltration.

We have partial logs leading to one of the mid level managers, Grant, but I'm not convinced he's the real culprit.

Then who is?

Linda asked, heart pounding.

Richard's eyes flashed with cold suspicion.

Your husband keeps popping up in my mind, She braced herself, swallowing the lump in her throat.

I told you Paul's not capable of Richard slammed a fist onto his desk.

He might be more capable than you think.

If he's behind this, I want him gone, understand, Lynda nodded mechanically, inwardly panicked what if Paul really is behind it?

She left his office, mind spinning.

If Paul had broken into the system, he risked not only his job, but also potential prison time.

Richard had the resources to push charges.

Meanwhile, in the downtown cafe across the street from Paul's own work place, Paul sat with a cappuccino, gun cold.

He scrolled through a private chat window, ensuring all digital footprints remained hidden.

He'd pin the blame on Grant, but the incessant investigations made him uneasy.

Untiny mistake in the hammer could come down on him.

You're playing with fire, he muttered under his breath, recalling Linda's face when she still seemed genuine before her ambition swallowed them both.

But I can't stop now.

He stepped out into the brisk afternoon, phone buzzing in his jacket pocket a text from Linda.

We need to talk tonight.

He stared at the words, then typed back a simple oka.

That night, Linda cornered him in the living room.

A warm lamp glow illuminated the tension etched on her face.

Paul, she said, in a shaky voice, tell me you're not messing with Helix.

Richard's after someone and if fits you.

He tilted his head.

Why so worried, because if you're behind it, he'll ruin you.

I mean, you can't win against him.

Paul suppressed a bitter laugh.

Is that what you're concerned about?

Me losing or you losing your golden ticket?

Her cheeks flushed.

I'm concer discerned about both of us.

Okay, if you get exposed, you'll drag me down and you can't possibly stand up to he cut her off.

Let's just say I know what I'm doing, or maybe I'm doing nothing at all, Linda.

Have you thought maybe Richard's paranoid?

Linda searched his eyes, unsure if he was mocking her.

Anger welled up.

You know what, she snapped.

Fine, keep playing your games, but don't expect me to bail you out if you cross the line.

Paul watched her storm off, tension crackling in the air.

Despite the flicker of guilt in his gut, a steely resolve remained.

The shareholder meeting was only days away, and he intended to make it a spectacle no one would forget.

Two nights before the big shareholder conference, Linda lay awake staring at the ceiling.

The bedside clock showed two seventeen a m across the room.

Paul slept.

If she could call that restless, half dozed sleep.

She replayed Richard's latest phone call in her head.

Keep everything ready.

Once we succeed, I'll finalize our arrangement.

I promise you, Linda, you'll have a stake in Helix.

Just stay the course and keep your husband on a leash.

His words, once so tempting, now felt suffocating.

Linda realized she was gambling everything on a future with a man who used blackmail and manipulation as routine tactics.

Yet her old life with Paul, meager finances, quiet evenings, modest dreams, seemed equally stifling.

If this goes smoothly, she mused, I'll have the money to leave Paul start fresh.

She turned on her side, watching his silhouette under the faint city lights.

A pang of regret stirred.

They once made small joys feel like grand adventures.

Now resentment and secrets replaced laughter and affection.

In the morning, she cornered Paul in the hallway.

The sunlight through the window cast a harsh glow, highlighting the lines of fatigue on both their faces.

Paul, she began, voice barely above a whisper.

I know we've drifted apart, but after this Helix meeting, maybe we can figure things out.

If he raised an eyebrow, if what she hesitated, unspoken thoughts swirling, if I decide to stay, if you prove yourself worthy, if Richard's divorce doesn't happen.

Instead, she just shook her head.

We'll see.

I've got a lot on the line.

Paul's expression hardened.

He spoke in a level tone.

So do I.

Let's hope it all works out for you.

That stung more than she cared to admit.

Retreating to the bathroom, she stared at her reflection for the second time that week.

She looked older, warier.

Ambition had carved tension into her once bright eyes.

Just a couple more days, then I'll be free.

What she didn't notice was Paul standing outside the door, jaw clunched.

Having caught a fragment of her whispered monolog.

He retreated down the hallway, heart pounding with a mixture of rage and finality.

She's really banking on ditching me after the conference, He flicked open his phone, and glanced at the final lines of code he'd set to trigger during Richard's big presentation.

It's all or nothing, he thought, If Linda wants to gamble, she'll find out.

The house always wins, and electric tension filled the grand conference hall at the Helix Solutions headquarters.

Rows of glossy black chairs faced a stage backed by an enormous digital screen displaying the company logo.

Hiyub of spotlights shown onto a podium where Richard Dalton was set to present a major new initiative.

Paul slipped into the back of the hall, unnoticed among the small crowd of staffers and prospective investors.

He wore an unassuming grap blazer, a stark contrast to the slick designer suits worn by top executives.

Though he wasn't officially required to attend, he'd found a way in just to observe the chaos he'd engineered.

At the front row, sat Linda fidgeting in her seat.

Her fitted pencil skirt and crisp blouse radiated professional polish, but her face betrayed uneasy nerves.

She felt a bead of sweat trickled down her temple as she stole a glance at Richard, who stood off stage scanning his notes.

He's so sure this is going to catapult Helix into the stratosphere, she thought, and that I'll share his success.

The memory of their last conversation tubbed at her mind, a promise of stock options, overshadowed by veiled threats if she betrayed him.

Ladies and gentlemen announced the mic.

A poised woman named Tessa from public Relations.

Please give a warm welcome to our cev O, mister Richard Dalton.

Thunderous applause at Richard strode onto the stage, every inch the confident leader.

He flashed a broad smile at the cameras streaming the event live to remote investors.

Linde forced to supporting Grin, still fighting an inexplicable sense of dree add behind her.

Paul stood near the exit, arms folded, expression unreadable.

Thank you everyone, Richard began, voice amplified by the hall's sleek audio system.

Helix's solution stands at the forefront of innovation today.

I'm thrilled to unveil our future roadmap, one we believe will transform the tech landscape.

He gestured at the massive screen his presentation slides materialized, showcasing bullet points, market expansion, cutting edge partnerships, projected revenue growth.

Lynda is heart hammered.

She recognized the polished deck, the one she'd spent weeks perfecting, the same deck that Paul had secretly booby trapped with in criminalsaing evidence.

The lights dimmed and Richard clicked to the next slide.

For a moment, everything appeared normal, a graph sword upward, representing Helix's bright future.

Investors leaned forward in interest.

Linda exhaled, wondering if maybe nothing would happen after all.

Then Richard tapped the remote once more a flicker, the slide vanished.

In its place appeared grainy video footage.

The camera angle shifted, revealing a hotel room.

Linda's face came into view, intimately close with Richard's.

Gasps erupted across the audience.

Linda's stomach dropped as if the floor had collapsed beneath her.

A wave of mortified heat rushed to her cheeks.

What the Richard's voice thundered.

He clicked frantically, but the screen refused to revert to his intended presentation.

Instead, multiple images flashed, text logs hinting at fraudulent deals, short clips of secret meetings Ben Moore, footage of him and Linda in compromising positions.

The swirling lights from the projector turned the hall into a night miracolidoscope.

Investors murmured in shock, some rose from their seats, a few fumbling for phones capturing everything.

An older shareholder named Donovan shouted, is this reel?

The tension became suffocating.

From his vantage point, Paul felt a grim satisfaction mixed with a hollow ache.

He watched Linda's horrified expression, Richard's frenzied attempts to regain control, and the entire room unraveling.

There seeing the truth, he thought, and there's no undoing it now.

Chaos erupted in seconds.

Security personnel rushed to the stage, barking into walky talkies, while some of the more senior investors demanded an explanation.

The screen continued displaying shocking contents, screenshots of Richard's private communications about hush money, back room deals and Linda's involvement.

Richard slammed the laptop on the podium, closed, but the feed persisted on the main display.

Paul had coated it to run independently.

Panic flashed across the CEO's face.

The aura of power drained from him like color from a bleached photograph.

Investors started booing, outraged they'd been lured under false prudences.

Sop this, Richard roared to the tech crew.

They scrambled behind the stage, but the sabotage was cunning, no quick fix.

Linda felt every eye in the room lance into her.

Whispered judgments filled the air.

She staggered to her feet, ignoring her shaking knees, and stumbled toward the side exit.

The screen behind her still flickered with humiliating images, her face, her voice undeniable proof of her complicity.

Paul watched her rush out, eyes clouded with shame and terror.

He considered following, but remained rooted.

Let her feel that sting, he told himself grimly, though a pang of remorse flickered in his chest.

Richard on stage was bombarded with demands, is that your voice discussing bribes?

Care to explain these sexual exploits?

He tried to speak, but words stuck in his throat.

A chunk of the audience stormed off in disgust, some shouting threats of lawsuits.

Live streaming feeds cut in and out, but plenty of viewers had already witnessed enough to spark a viral scandal.

In the back, Paul quietly turned off his phone's remote link.

His job was done.

Slipping out a side door, he'd ignored the frantic staff yelling about crashes and it melt down.

He stepped into the midday sunlight, pulses of adrenaline still coursing through him.

Across the street, Linda leaned against a lamp post, looking as though she might collapse.

Paul, She gasped when she noticed him.

Her eyes were wild with shock.

What did you?

He said, nothing, simply meeting her gaze.

In that single glance, Linda understood a tear slid down her cheek, half in fury, half in despair.

Before she could speak another word, Paul turned on his heel and walked away, letting the swirl of city crowd swallow him.

Inside the shattered meeting, the after shocks bread like ripples, phone calls erupted, security guards escorted outraged stakeholders from the building.

Richard sank into a chair off stage, chest heaving as he realized all the illusions he meticulously spun were now in pieces.

The next morning, headlines blared across business blogs and local news.

Helix's Solutions CEO exposed in scandalous affair and investors seek legal action after shocking reveal.

A trembling Linda sat at her desk for the final time.

Richard had locked himself in his eyes, refusing to see any one.

Rumor was the board had convened an emergency meeting.

A stern faced har manager approached Linda, handing her a letter, Miss Morgan, effective immediately.

Helix has decided to terminate your position.

Please collect your personal items.

Linda felt her stomach lurch, but she managed a weak nod.

She'd known this was coming.

Who would keep someone at the center of such a pr nightmare.

She walked to her cubicle, ignoring the hush that fell among coworkers who once admired her.

She gathered her few belongings into a cardboard box.

IF photo of Paul from years ago stared back at her, both of them smiling and happier times.

Linda.

A gentle voice startled her.

It was Elise, a colleague who'd once chatted freely about weakened plans.

Elise offered a sympathetic smile.

I'm sorry, Linda choked back tears.

Thanks.

She had no more words, words, no more excuses.

She felt stripped bare of illusions, no fancy future, no promised fortune, only humiliation.

With her box in hand, she took the elevator down to the lobby.

She glimpsed her reflection in the gleaming metal, red rimmed eyes, a slumped to her shoulders.

This is who I've become, she thought bitterly.

Outside, swirling rain pelted the sidewalk, as though mocking her first day at Helix, when she believed success was just around the corner.

Across town, Paul quietly resigned from his own small it firm.

He slipped out before lunch, having already cleared out his desk.

He transferred his savings to a new count under a different name.

An old friend from college had offered him a place to crash a few states away.

No questions asked.

Time to vanish, he thought, stepping into the drizzling rain Helix.

His meltdown was all over the intern, but no body would trace the sabotage back to him.

He'd covered his tracks too carefully, and Richard had bigger problems now and away.

Meanwhile, Richard faced the wrath of furious board members, calls from lawyers, accusations of financial impropriety, even the possibility of criminal charges.

The once mighty Sea Evo watched his empire crumble.

He clenched his fists, vowing to hunt down whoever orchestrated this sabotage, but lacking concrete proof, he could only suspect.

By evening, Linda returned to her apartment, dark, silent, and lifeless.

She half expected to see Paul in the living room, scowling or triumphant, but he was gone.

No suit cases, no leftover coffee mug, just an empty space echoing with the memory of what once was a shared life.

On the kitchen table, she found a plain envelope with her name scrawled on it.

Heart pounding, she tore it open.

Linda, this is just the beginning everything you've dreamed of, money shares, that better life.

It's all an illusion.

I thought you'd realize that before it was too late.

Now you see what your choices have cost.

I'm finished with Helix and with you, Paul.

The neat pointed script felt like a knife twisting inside her.

She sank to the floor, tears burning her cheeks.

Rage flared at his betrayal, but mostly she felt the crushing weight of regret.

She'd once loved this quiet, earnest man.

She could almost hear him in her head.

We'll make it together.

We just need to believe.

Now that dream lay in ruins, replaced by betrayal on both sides.

Her phone vibrated with a call from a blocked number.

She ignored it, suspecting it might be a journalist or someone from Helix demanding a statement.

The last thing she wanted was to talk about the fiasco outside, rumbled as if scolding her.

Across town, Richard sat in his penthouse suite, scanning through an onslaught of text messages and emails from furious investors.

A half empty glass of whiskey trembled in his hand.

Damn that woman, Damn her husband or whoever pulled the stunt.

In his reflection from the window, he saw tarnished king, dethroned by his own arrogance.

Rain lashed the city for hours that night, washing over empty streets and neinon lit bars.

Paul disappeared into it all, a ghost, free of attachments.

Linda clutched Paul's note, eyes brimming with sorrow.

She hadn't realized she still possessed.

Richard paced in his high rise prison, mind whirling with damage control strategies that might prove feudle.

A summer hush settled over Helix's solutions once bustling headquarters.

Only a week had passed since the catastrophic shareholder conference, yet it felt like the company had aged a decade.

Overnight, the stock price had plummeted.

Half a dozen major clients withdrew their contracts.

Offices that once brimmed with optimism now echoed with uncertainty and dread.

In a cramped corner suite on the twenty fifth floor, Helix board members gathered around a mahogany table.

They wore grim expressions, leafing through documents detailing lost investments.

A swirl of bitter coffee filled the air, blending with the stale tension of impending doom.

We have to halt the new product launch, one director murmured, tapping his pen anxiously.

No one wants to partner with us in this climate.

Meanwhile, Richard Dalton, stripped of his usual confidante, sat alone in his corner office, ignoring the empty desk where Linda once organized his schedule.

Now the only company he had was a stack of legal notices, each more damning than the last.

Accusations of fraud, misuse of corporate funds, intential blackmail investigations loomed from both regulators and local authorities.

His phone rarely stopped ringing, but he refused to answer.

Fury and shame left him paralyzed.

I'll fight back somehow, he told himself, though the path seemed unclear.

Across town, Linda slogged through a different brand of misery.

She had retreated to a dingy motel room with flickering fluorescent lights and paper thin walls.

Paparazzi occasionally hounded her in the parking lot, snapping photos of her disheveled appearance.

Headlines dubbed her Helix's fem fatal, painting her as the opportunistic mistress who helped bring down a tech giant.

She scrolled through social media on her phone, every mention of her name, spiking her anxiety.

Old friends posted messages of betrayal and disgust.

Strangers hurled insults, labeling her a gold digger who would do anything for money.

Each word cut like a raiser.

Her fingers hovered over Paul's contact number.

She dialed once, straight to voicemail.

Where are you, she whispered into the stale air, Please, I need to talk.

Paul, of course, was nowhere to be found.

After orchestrating the company's meltdown.

He had disappeared without a trace, rumor had at heat cleaned out his bank account, left behind only a short resignation email at his small IT firm, and vanished from the city.

Linda had no leads, no sympathetic ear, only the faint hope he might forgive her if she could find him.

Outside her motel window, the sky turned and ashen gray as a cold drizzle began, just like the night everything started, Linda thought ruefully recalling that first rainy evening when Paul discovered the USB.

Now, with Helix in freefall and her own reputation in shreds, she was left to face the wreckage alone.

Day's bled into nights in the cramped motel room, Linda's mind churning with regret.

Occasionally she found herself remembering simpler times with Paul, cooking spaghetti in their tiny apartment kitchen, laughing over silly TV shows.

They had been broke but content forging small dreams together.

How had she let greed overshadow love?

A local reporter, Carmen Ray's, managed to corner Linda one morning in the motel parking lot, microphone thrust forward, camera rolling, Carmen pressed, Miss Morgan, is it true you had an illicit deal with Richard Dalton promising you a stake in Helix?

Linda paled, shielding her face.

No comment, she croaked, shoving past the reporter.

A humiliating sense of deja vu washed over her.

I brought this on myself, she thought, Tears threatening inside, She sank onto the worn bed mine, Drifting to her wedding day.

She remembered wearing a borrowed white carrying plastic flowers.

Despite the modest ceremony, her heart had soared with hope and promise.

Where did that Linda go?

She wondered bitterly.

Out of sheer desperation, she tried calling Paul's old friend Mark, one of the few who might know his whereabouts.

Mark answered wearily, Linda, I haven't heard from Paul in months.

You realize a lot of people think you and Richard set him up.

Linda swallowed.

No, that's not Mark.

If Paul reaches out, please tell him, her voice faltered, Tell him I'm sorry.

That same afternoon, a surprise visitor knocked on Linda's door, A man in a crisp Navy suit holding a brief gase Miss Morgan, he asked, politely, my name is Brendan Fox.

I represent Richard Dalton's legal team.

He extended a card, ignoring Linda's startled expression.

Richard wants you to testify in his favor, Brendan continued, calm, as if reciting a grocery list.

If you cooperate, there could be certain benefits.

Linda's pulse thundered.

Benefits you mean money, She stared in disbelief.

Brendan smiled thinly.

Richard stands by you, miss Morgan.

He believes you too share a common interest.

After all, you both lost everything in that fiasco.

Her stomach twisted.

A flicker of that old ambition stirred.

Yet the memory of Richard's threats, his controlling promises, made her skin crawl.

I need to find a way out of this darkness, she thought, not deeper into it.

As Brendan left, Linda sank onto the bed, faced with a grim realization she was upon in Richard's legal chess game.

If she joined forces with him, she might salvage some money, but at the cost of burning any last shred of dignity or hope of reconciling with Paul.

She thought of her wedding photostashed in her suitcase, her eyes brimming with tears at the thought of how far she'd fallen.

Words soon spread that Richard planned to file a lawsuit claiming Paul had hacked Helix's servers, causing massive financial harm.

The city's business gossip column buzzed with speculation.

Could Richard actually pin the meltdown on Paul?

Potentially, yes, provided he had supporting testimonies.

Linda felt a not coil in her stomach whenever she imagined stepping into a court room.

One evening, as she scrolled through news articles at a dingy diner, an anonymous email hit her inbox.

Check the attached documents if you still have a conscience, a friend.

With shaking hands.

She opened the files to discover a trove of evidence, recordings of Richard verbally abusing employees, proposals to bribe city officials, and explicit references to Linda's forced compliance.

The final lines were the most chilling revelations of how Richard had entrapped multiple female subordinates using sexual blackmail.

Linda's eyes burned outrage mixing with guilt.

Paul must have compiled this, she realized, or at least delivered it to me through someone else.

Her heart pounded with a strange relief.

In these files, she saw an avenue not only to clear Paul's name, but also to expose Richard for his deeper crimes.

At the same time, Linda received a curt text from Richard.

Richard, we need you on record that Paul was behind everything.

If you comply, you'll be compensated.

Her fingers hovered over the phone screen a swirl of confusion.

Money was tempting, especially now with her life in shambles, but she couldn't deny the extent of Richard's to previty.

Another text arrived from the same unknown sender, urging stand up for what's right or risk losing your last chance at redemption.

Late that night, Linda said, alone on a park bench, shivering under a clouded moon, she pressed the phone to her forehead, remembering the earnest man Paul had once been his unwavering honesty, his refusal to cut corners.

She'd exhaled a shaky breath.

The path was clear, if terrifying.

She had to testify against Richard, no matter the cost.

In a small court house on the outskirts of the city, Bright overhead lights cast a sterile glow on polished floors.

Reporters hovered outside aiger for any update on the helix scandal.

Linda arrived early, dressed in a modest black suit borrowed from a sympathetic acquaintance.

Her heart hammered as she entered the court room, passing rows of silent onlookers.

Richard's legal team had filed a suit accusing Paul of illegally breaching helixes network.

The presiding judge, a stern faced woman named Judge Hydeour, started the proceedings by summarizing the charges.

On the other side, a district attorney hinted there might be additional criminal investigations into Richard's personal conduct.

Richard sat at the defense table, scanning Linda with a harsh glare.

She saw flicker of desperation in his eyes.

Though he tried to appear composed.

Linda swallowed hard her pulse roaring in her ears.

This is it, no turning back.

When her name was called, Linda Rose stepping onto the witness stand.

Cameras were restricted inside the court room, but she still felt the weight of the public's gaze through every note.

Taking journalist, she took a trembling oath, locking eyes briefly with Richard before focusing on the judge.

Her testimony began like a cautious dance.

She confirmed her role at Helix's, recounted the high level job duties, but then, voice quivering, Linda unveiled the truth.

How Richard had manipulated her with promises of future wealth, how he had pretent exposure if she didn't comply.

She admitted to her own complicity in remorse, tears dampening her cheeks.

I I'm not proud of what I did, she said, voice cracking.

But Paul isn't the one who orchestrated the downfall of Helix.

Richard was he cornered me and others into silence with blackmail.

Paul only revealed what Richard was doing and used my involvement as part of that.

A murmur rippled across the court room.

Richard's lawyers bombarded Linda with questions, trying to undermine her credibility, but she maintained her story, citing the digital evidence that had mysteriously arrived in her possession.

Across the aisle, a tall figure wearing a baseball cap sat quietly, half concealed in the back row.

Linda didn't notice him, but he watched her every word with a mixture of guarded sympathy and sorrow.

Paul, possibly, if so, he never spoke, never stepped forward.

The session stretched long into the afternoon by the end, and Judge Hidar acknowledged the gravity of Linda's statements.

Richard's attorney fumed, hissing threats of defamation suits.

The district attorney meanwhile signaled intent to investigate Richard further on charges of financial misconduct and sexual coercion.

Before leaving the stand, Lynda turned to the judge, her voice wavered, I I want to publicly apologize to Paul.

He was the only one who saw what was wrong and tried to stop it.

I hope some day he can forgive me.

The judge gave a curt nod a hush fell as Linda stepped down, tears trailing her cheeks.

She spotted the empty seat near the back, the one that might have been occupied by a figure in a cap mere moments before, her heart clenched.

Even if it had been Paul, he was gone.

As the gavel banged for a recess, Linda exhaled a shaky breath, feeling the faintest spark of relief.

She had told the truth from the first time in months.

She felt the weight of secrets lift from her shoulders, though the ache of loss remained.

Richard was left glaring, legal options dwindling as new evidence piled up, and in the corridors echoing hush.

Linda clong to the hope that her confession might be the first step toward atoning for everything she'd done.

The morning sun broke through the clouds, with hesitant warmth, illuminating a line of curious onlookers at the City court House.

They craned their next to see if Richard Dalton might appear in handcuffs.

Hammermen jostled for vantage spots, capturing the very moment law enforcement escorted the disgraced CEO from a side entrance, his once impeccable suit wrinkled in defeat.

Richard glared at the barrage of flashes, all the bravado drained from his eyes.

Inside, the corridors buzzed with hushed talk of embezzlement charges and sexual coercion.

A bespectacled officer led Richard down a tie hallway, ignoring his muffled profists.

The court house was only the first stop.

Soon he'd be taken to a holding facility.

Despite everything, Linda couldn't muster the energy to feel triumphant.

She stood by a nearby pillar, arms folded tight, as if to ward off the chill of disappointment and lingering guilt.

Ma'am, we're clearing the area.

A deputy's voice broke through her thoughts.

Right, she murmured, stepping aside.

The reality of it all settled heavily on her shoulders.

Richard was in custody, the man whose power once seemed unassailable, and Linda was left to face a new chapter of her life, one stripped of illusions about wealth and status.

She felt an odd combination of relief and sadness, recalling how she'd once believed in Richard's promises of a brighter future.

Outside the court house, a swirl of reporters pivoted from Richard to Linda.

As she walked down the steps in a simple gray blouse and dark genes, shutters clicked, microphones extended her way.

She lifted a hand to shield her face.

Miss Morgan, do you have a statement about mister Valley Dalton's arrest?

Is it true you testified against him?

Did your husband really sabotage Helix to expose Richard's corruption?

She shook her head, ignoring the questions.

Her heart thudded with memories of that humili aiding meltdown at Helix, her subsequent firing, and the wrenching day she testified in court.

Time to start over, she told her self, gnome or illusions.

By late afternoon, Linda found herself at a modest diner on the outskirts of town, away from the downtown chaos.

The neon sign out front flickered open, twenty four slash seven, beckoning weary travelers.

She slipped into a vinyl booth, the seat squeaking in provost.

A waitress approached, offering a coffee refill and a weary smile.

Raf Day, the waitress asked, kindly, raf Year.

Linda replied softly inhaling the comforting aroma of fresh coffee.

She thumbed through the classifieds on her phone, scanning job postings.

Administrative assistant needed, small start up receptionist with phone skills.

Each felt like a step backward from her once lofty dreams, yet also a chance to rebuild free of scandal.

A memory of Paul's letter flitted across her mind.

Everything you've dreamed of, It's an illusion.

She believed money and power would solve everything.

That dream had led her here to a battered booth in an all night diner, jobless and half despised by the public.

Maybe Paul was right.

Illusions had cost her her marriage, her dignity, and nearly her soul.

Outside the sun dipped low, painting the sky and bands of orange and pink, Linda rose, paying her bill with a shaky hand, and she took one last glance at the job listings, stealing herself for the uncertain path ahead.

She might have to start from scratch, but she'd do it on her own terms and without lies.

A week later, Linda sat in a cramped legal aid office, flipping through a tattered paper back while waiting to finalize a few lingering documents related to Helix's downfall.

The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, adding to her restlessness.

She hadn't seen Paul since the day she discovered his scathing farewell letter.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Linda's breath caught in her throat as Paul stepped inside, wearing a black jacket and jean's He looked leaner, his face etched with fatigue.

She froze, heart pounding.

He halted too, spotting her with equal shock, Linda, he said, voice slow.

She rose, feeling an avalanche of conflicting emotions.

Part of her wanted to rush forward, pologize, beg forgiveness.

Another part felt defensive, recalling how he'd oh archestrated her very public humiliation.

Paul, I it's been so long, she managed.

He nodded tersely.

I came to wrap up some legal stuff.

They stared at each other, the hum of the overhead lights growing louder.

Linda's gaze lingered on the angles of his face, remembering nights they once shared meals and laughter.

She exhaled a trembling sigh.

Look she whispered.

I never meant for everything to spiral the way it did.

I fell for Richard's promises I was.

I was desperate.

Paul's expression hardened, desperate enough to betray me, her eyes filled with tears.

I know I messed up.

I let greed blind me.

But after seeing how corrupt Richard really was, I realized.

I realized I'd turned into someone I don't even recognize.

He hesitated, scanning her for a trace of insincerity.

You testified against him, yes, Linda swallowed back a sob.

I told the court everything I knew, the tape, the blackmail, the deals.

I couldn't let him keep hurting people or keep blaming you.

Paul's posture relaxed.

A fraction silence enveloped them, heavy with what remained unspoken, the heart break, the regrets, the question of where they stood.

She forced a small, shaky smile.

I'm not asking you to forgive me overnight, she said softly.

I just want you to know I see things differently now.

He exhaled, tension draining from his shoulders.

I'm glad you did the right thing.

Before she could respond, an attorney stepped out from a nearby room, calling Paul's name.

He gave Linda one last look, then turned away.

He didn't say goodbye.

She noted heart twisting, but the brief conversation, the raw honesty, felt like the start of something, however, fragile.

Under a slate gray sky, Linda walked the familiar sidewalks of the old neighborhood she and Paul once called home.

It seemed smaller now, the houses more modest than she remembered.

The crisp autumn air rustled the branches of a tired oak tree near their former apartment building.

She paused at the front stoop, remembering late evenings when Paul returned from visit job, exhausted yet always greeting her with a gentle smile.

How many knights had She overlooked that warmth, fixating instead on their meager bank balance.

Hey, came a voice behind her.

She turned to see Marissa, a neighbor they'd occasionally chatted with.

Marissa eyed Linda warily, then offered a slight nod.

Heard about everything, Marissa said, folding her arms.

You and Paul used to be good together.

Linda's eyes flicked to the chipped steps.

We were just I wanted more.

I thought, if I could get a piece of Richard's success, I'd solve all our problems.

But it only proved that greed can rot a person from the inside.

Marisa pursed her lips.

Sometimes we forget the simple joys.

She glanced up at the building's second floor window, the one Linda and Paul once lived behind.

He used to tell me how proud he was to fix your old lapop, how he believed you two would build a future together.

The admission stung.

Linda let out a shaky breath, her voice barely audible.

I broke that trust when I chased after something bigger than us.

I see that now.

A gentle breeze stirred, and Linda pictured the intangible root cause of their downfall, her hunger for wealth overshadowing the love they once shared.

She inhaled the crisp air mine, churning on how she might repair such deep wounds.

Is it even possible?

She wasn't sure, but at least she now recognized the depth of her mistakes.

I need to talk to Paul again, she said, quietly, meeting Marissa's gaze, not to excuse what I did, but to tell him I finally understand how far off track I went.

Marissa offered a small, sad smile.

Good luck.

Days later, Linda found herself on the outskirts of town by a deserted lakeside.

Golden light glimmered on the water's surface, while cool when teased her hair.

She'd heard through the grapevine that Paul sometimes came here, an old scenic spot he'd once mentioned as a refuge.

Clutching her phone in one hand, she scanned the empty shore line, no sign of him.

Disappointment settled in her stomach as she took a seat on a weathered bench.

The hushed lapping of gentle waves provided a fragile comfort.

Suddenly, movement by the parking lot caught her eye.

Paul stepping out of a sedan.

He froze when he spotted Linda wariness in his post.

None the less, he approached, hands in his jacket pockets.

How do you know I come here, he asked, voice tight, A friend told me.

Linda replied, standing, I hoped I might catch you.

They faced each other by the water, the wind tugging at their clothes.

She swallowed, heart pounding.

I just wanted to say I'm not the same person who betrayed you.

I've lost everything, my job, my reputation, But maybe that's what had to happen for me to finally see clearly.

Paul nodded slowly, gaze drifting to the softly rippling lake.

After a long pause, he spoke, so what now.

She hugged her arms around herself, the wind biting.

I don't know.

I'm not asking you to take me back or pretend none of this happened.

I just I don't want to leave things with so much anger.

If we need to part ways for good, I accept that, But I'm all also willing to try again, if you can ever find it in your heart to.

She trailed off, tears threatening.

Paul's eyes flicked to her, swirling with hurt and lingering affection.

I wish I could forget how it felt to see you with him, he said quietly.

But I also remember what we were before all this.

That part of me wants to believe we could find something real again.

They both fell silent, the lake shimmering under the dimming sky.

It felt as if the future teetered on a single breath, two roads branching, one a final separation, one of tentative hope.

I might move to a smaller town, Paul offered at last, voice subdued, start A little repair shop, live simpler.

Linda wiped her eyes, a sad smile, forming that sounds good.

A gentle breeze swept between them, carrying the scent of pine and distant bonfires.

The moments stretched in gid a decision.

Paul inhaled, exhaled, then finally reached out to brush a tear from her cheek.

I'm not sure where we stand, he admitted, but maybe this doesn't have to be goodbye forever.

She released a shaky breath.

I'll wait, or I'll understand if you need space.

Either way, I'm I'm sorry, Paul.

He nodded, stepping back with a mix of hesitation and longing in his eyes.

Without another word, he turned and walked toward his car.

Linda watched, tears silently flowing, uncertain whether she'd lost him forever or if this was the first step on her road to fragile reconciliation.

She sank back onto the bench, phone buzzing with new job alerts she'd recently subscribed to.

The sky blushed with the pink hues of dusk, as though reflecting the gentle possibility that not all was lost.

What a story.

Thanks for listening.

I'm lady Truth, and I'll talk to you the next time.

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