Elena couldn't stop staring at the screens.
Every wall in the room was filled with them.
Security cameras.
Maps.
Files.
Information.
This wasn't just a room.
It was a command center.
Her picture was still glowing on one of the monitors.
Old photos.
Recent photos.
Even one taken just two days ago.
Her chest tightened.
"You were watching me for years," she said slowly.
Adrian didn't look ashamed.
He walked toward one of the screens and turned it off.
"I was preparing."
"For what?"
He looked at her.
"For the day your father tried to destroy me."
Elena's heart skipped.
"My father is not that powerful."
Adrian chuckled softly.
"Power isn't always about money."
He opened a drawer and pulled out a thin black folder.
Then he placed it on the table between them.
"Read."
Elena hesitated.
Then she opened it.
Her eyes widened immediately.
Bank transfers.
Secret contracts.
Private deals.
All signed by her father.
With criminals.
With rival organizations.
With people Adrian clearly hated.
Her hands trembled.
"This… this can't be real."
Adrian leaned against the desk.
"It is."
Elena shook her head.
"My father is many things… but he's not a traitor."
Adrian's voice turned colder.
"He sold information about my empire."
Silence filled the room.
"What information?" Elena whispered.
Adrian stepped closer.
"The location of something extremely valuable."
Her stomach twisted.
"What thing?"
Adrian's eyes locked onto hers.
"The drive."
Elena froze.
"The encrypted drive your father gave you."
Her heart stopped.
"How do you know about that?"
Adrian's gaze sharpened.
"So it's true."
Elena realized her mistake immediately.
She had just confirmed it.
Her father did give her something before everything collapsed.
A small black drive.
Hidden in her apartment.
She swallowed.
"You kidnapped me… for that?"
Adrian's expression changed slightly.
"Partly."
Elena laughed bitterly.
"So I'm a hostage."
"No."
Adrian walked closer.
His voice dropped.
"You're the key."
Her pulse pounded in her ears.
"What's on that drive?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead he said something that made her blood run cold.
"Enough information to destroy half the people in this city."
Elena's breath caught.
"And now," Adrian continued quietly,
"They're coming for it."
Elena stared at him.
"You mean they're coming for me."
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"And that's exactly why you're staying here."
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