Face to Face

The tension in the room was palpable as Lydia paced back and forth, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She had been summoned to Alexander's office, and despite the cool exterior she always maintained, a flicker of unease gnawed at her. She had heard whispers of the boardroom meeting, of Alexander's unwavering stance, and she knew that her time was running out.

The door opened, and Alexander stepped inside, followed closely by Victor. Lydia's eyes narrowed as she took in their stern expressions. Gone was the man she had once manipulated with ease—Alexander now exuded an aura of unyielding authority, his gaze cold and calculating.

"Lydia," Alexander greeted her, his voice devoid of warmth. He walked around his desk, taking a seat, while Victor remained standing by the door, his arms crossed.

Lydia forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Alexander, Victor, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Cut the pleasantries," Victor snapped, his voice dripping with disdain. "We know everything, Lydia. Your games are over."

Her smile faltered, but she quickly composed herself, raising an eyebrow. "Everything? I'm not sure I follow."

Alexander leaned forward, his eyes piercing through her. "We know about your involvement with Carl, how you orchestrated the financial sabotage, how you manipulated the people around you. Did you really think you could get away with it?"

Lydia's heart pounded in her chest, but she maintained her composure. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied coolly. "If you're accusing me of something, I'd like to see the evidence."

Alexander didn't flinch. He reached into his desk drawer, pulling out a thick folder and tossing it onto the desk in front of her. "Everything is in there. Emails, financial transactions, witness statements. It's over, Lydia."

She glanced at the folder, her mind racing. There was no way out of this—Alexander had her cornered. But Lydia had never been one to admit defeat easily. "So, you've been spying on me," she said, a bitter edge creeping into her voice. "I always knew you were paranoid, Alexander, but this is a new low."

Victor stepped forward, his patience wearing thin. "You've betrayed this company, Lydia. You've betrayed Alexander, and you've betrayed the people who trusted you. This isn't about paranoia; it's about justice."

Lydia's gaze shifted between the two men, her mind frantically searching for a way to turn the situation to her advantage. But as she looked into Alexander's eyes, she realized there was no more room for manipulation. He was done with her lies, done with the games.

"So, what now?" she asked, her voice tinged with resignation. "Are you going to hand me over to the authorities?"

Alexander's expression softened, if only slightly. "That depends on you. You can cooperate, make things easier for yourself, or you can resist and face the full consequences of your actions. The choice is yours."

Lydia bit her lip, weighing her options. She could fight, try to salvage what little control she had left, but deep down, she knew it was futile. Alexander had her trapped, and there was no way out.

"Fine," she said finally, her voice low. "I'll cooperate."

Alexander nodded, the tension in the room easing slightly. "Good. We'll make the necessary arrangements. But know this, Lydia—there's no coming back from this. You're done here."

Lydia stared at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and defeat. She had always prided herself on being one step ahead, on being the puppet master behind the scenes. But now, her carefully constructed world was crumbling around her, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

As Victor escorted Lydia out of the office, Alexander leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. The confrontation had taken more out of him than he had anticipated, but it was necessary. Hunt Enterprises needed to purge the rot that had festered within, and Lydia's downfall was just the beginning.

He glanced at the clock on the wall, realizing that Sophia would be waiting for him. The thought of her brought a sense of calm to his otherwise stormy mind. She had been his rock through all of this, and now more than ever, he needed her by his side.

Rising from his chair, Alexander left the office, the weight of the day's events pressing down on him. But as he stepped out into the hallway, he felt a renewed sense of determination. The battle wasn't over yet, but he was ready for whatever came next.