The world was watching.
It started as whispers—industry insiders hinting at something off within the Al-Fayed Conglomerate. Then came the online speculations.
Online forums bursting with gossips and comments.
@BusinessInsiderMENA: Is there a power shift happening at Al-Fayed Holdings? Sources say internal conflicts might be shaking their leadership.
@AnonFinanceBlog: Hearing rumors about missing documents and major leaks. Someone inside the company is playing dirty. But who?
@TeaSpillerHQ: Nadia Al-Fayed: Boss Babe or Overhyped Heiress? Some are saying she's losing her grip. Thoughts?
And just like that, a storm began to brew.
Nadia scrolled through the headlines on her tablet, jaw clenched. Lina sat across from her, arms crossed as she skimmed through the latest batch of online discussions.
"Look at this," Lina muttered, turning her screen toward Nadia. "They're already questioning your leadership."
Nadia's eyes flickered over the words. A business columnist had written a thinly veiled attack piece about her, speculating whether she was capable of leading an empire or simply coasting on her last name.
She tossed the tablet onto her desk. "This is coordinated."
Lina leaned forward. "Of course, it is. First, documents go missing. Then the board starts questioning your decisions. Now, the public is being turned against you."
Her fingers tapped against the polished wooden desk. "Sara's behind this."
Lina sighed. "I don't doubt it. But what I don't get is why she's doing this so openly now. She's smart. She wouldn't make a move unless she was sure she'd win."
Nadia exhaled slowly. "Because she already has something lined up. I just don't know what yet."
Lina was quiet for a moment, then her voice dropped. "I don't like this, Nads. This isn't just office politics. Someone powerful is backing her."
Nadia nodded. "And that's what I need to figure out."
Lina hesitated before speaking again. "You're not in this alone, you know. You don't have to carry the whole world on your back."
Nadia managed a small smile. "I know. But this is my family's legacy. If I don't protect it, who will?"
__
The Aslan Holdings penthouse was grey, cold, a far cry from the warmth of the Al-Fayed estate. A glass wall stretched across the room, offering a breathtaking view of the city—one Sara barely noticed.
Seated across from Kareem Aslan, she watched as he slowly swirled his drink, the ice clinking softly against the glass.
"The first wave of leaks worked," she said, placing a USB drive on the table. "Here's the next batch."
Kareem chuckled, a deep, velvety sound that sent a slow shiver down her spine. "I underestimated you, Sara. You move like someone who's done this before."
She smirked, leaning back, deliberately crossing one leg over the other. "I learned from the best."
His gaze flickered over her—a slow, assessing look that was equal parts amusement and something darker.
Kareem leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Al-Fayed Holdings is powerful. But they're vulnerable right now. Nadia's losing the board's trust, and the media is eating her alive. Soon, they'll push her out."
Sara's lips curled. "And when they do?"
A slow smile spread across Kareem's face. He reached out, gripping her chin with two fingers, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.
"Then, my dear," he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against her lower lip, "we devour the remains."
Her breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. She never did. Not when his touch set her blood on fire, not when she knew exactly how dangerous he was.
Not when she wanted him just as much as she wanted Nadia's downfall.
__
In a private office, across the city away from all the chaos. A man in a tailored black suit watched the chaos unfold on his screen.
The reports on Nadia Al-Fayed were piling up. The media was tearing her apart, the board was turning against her, and the wolves were circling.
He took a slow sip of his espresso, tapping a pen against the desk.
Interesting.
His phone buzzed. A message flashed on the screen.
Unknown: "Still not making a move?"
His lips curled into a smirk.
Him: "Not yet."
He leaned back, eyes dark with something unreadable.
Him: "But soon."