CHAPTER 94: BLUFFING

Jake left the lounge with his blood humming like fire under his skin.

The truth was clearer now, but it didn’t make the betrayal sting less.

Just like Chloe has suggested. Just like his instincts had been telling him but he’d refused to believe, his brother, his own brother had drugged him.

He reached the parking lot and stopped beside his car, one hand braced on the roof as the weight of it hit him.

Raymond drugged me.

The thought sounded absurd even inside his head.

Raymond — his brother who’d sat beside him in board meetings, who’d toasted with him at family dinners, who’d sworn loyalty to him when everyone else wanted a piece of StoneTech—that Raymond?

He knew Raymond could be hot-blooded but going to this extent?

Jake’s jaw tightened. He wanted to believe there was some mistake. Maybe he’d seen it wrong. Maybe there was another explanation.

But the footage didn’t lie. The powered substance. The call. The way Raymond had acted the next morning like he knew nothing.

What was Raymond’s goal? Why would he set him up?

He straightened slowly, staring at the distant skyline as his thoughts raced.

Why would Raymond do it? What could he possibly gain?

And why—his chest clenched—why did Bella have to be dragged into it? What did she have to do with all these? Why did Raymond have to hurt Bella this much just to get to him? What did he even do to Raymond to deserve such betrayal?

He remembered the look in her eyes that morning—shock, disgust, hurt. She’d seen him in bed with Helena. And she’d believed what any sane person would.

Because what else could she think?

He pressed a hand over his face, exhaling sharply. "Damn it, Raymond..."

For a long moment, Jake just stood there, trying to piece it together.

Raymond was family — blood. Confronting him first would’ve been instinct. But his gut told him that if he went charging in now, he’d get nothing but half-truths and deflection. Raymond was too smooth, too careful.

No, if Jake wanted the truth, he needed to start with the weak link—the outsider.

Helena.

It would be easier to her the truth from her before confronting his brother.

Jake’s expression hardened, the decision locking into place. He’d deal with his brother later—when there was no room left for lies.

Deciding that, he slid into the passenger’s seat and pulled out his phone and dialed Helena’s contact while the driver waited for instructions.

The call rang twice before her voice answered, smooth and syrupy. "Well, well. Look who finally remembered to call me after chasing me away."

"Where are you, Helena?" Jake’s tone was sharp, with no trace of patience.

Helena laughed softly. "Miss me already? I didn’t know one night could leave such an impression."

"I’m not playing games," he said coldly. "Your address."

There was a pause, then a teasing hum. "You sound serious, Jake. But fine. If you want to come over so badly..." She rattled off the address. "Don’t keep me waiting."

The line went dead before he could reply but he didn’t call her back since she recieved the address almost immediately. He quickly handed the phone to the driver who immediately got on the road.

By the time Jake arrived at Helena’s apartment complex, the evening sun had dipped low, painting the city in orange-gold hues.

Her building was modern, sleek, not too expensive for someone living off her father’s money and knew next to nothing about her father’s business.

He rode the elevator up to the sixth floor, his reflection in the mirrored walls looking as cold and detached as he felt.

When Helena opened the door, she was dressed in a silky robe, hair tumbling over one shoulder. Her lips curved into a smile. "You made good time."

Jake’s expression didn’t change. "We need to talk," he said coldly.

"Talk?" She stepped closer, her perfume wrapping around him like smoke. "You didn’t seem very talkative last night. Maybe we can—"

"Enough," Jake snapped, stepping past her into the apartment. "We’ll skip the act."

Helena’s eyes narrowed slightly, though her tone stayed light. "I can see someone’s in a mood."

Jake turned to face her, his gaze cutting sharp. "You drugged me."

She blinked, feigning innocence. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You and Raymond set me up. He spiked my drink, called you, and somehow I woke up with you in my house and you claiming we did something. You want to explain that?"

Helena crossed her arms, leaning against the counter. "You’re making it sound so dramatic. You think I’d waste my time drugging you? Please. You came willingly."

Jake’s jaw clenched. "Don’t lie to me."

She tilted her head, smirking. "You must’ve enjoyed it if you’re this upset about it."

Jake stepped closer. His pace slow, and deliberate. "You think this is a joke?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Because if you don’t start talking, I’ll make one call. Just one and you’ll be facing charges for drugging and assaulting a CEO. You won’t just lose your face in the society, your father would lose business opportunities, Helena. You’ll lose everything."

Her smirk faltered for a fraction of a second.

Jake saw it — the flicker of panic.

But then, she quickly masked it, letting out a breathy laugh. "You can’t prove anything."

"Oh, I can," Jake said quietly. "There’s a security video of Raymond drugging me. I wonder how the police would feel about seeing your number appear right after his call."

Helena’s face paled slightly, but she forced a scoff. "You’re bluffing."

Jake stared at her in silence, every line of his face carved from steel. "Try me."

The silence stretched, thick and heavy.

Finally, Helena turned away, her fingers trembling as she lit a cigarette. "You’re overreacting, Jake. You think too highly of yourself. I didn’t do anything."

He took a step closer, voice like ice. "Say that again."

She turned back to him, her chin high, eyes sharp but her hand shook slightly. "I said, I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Jake studied her for a long moment, his anger pulsing low but deadly.

Then he nodded slowly, turning for the door. "Fine. Keep your lies. But this conversation isn’t over."

When the door clicked shut behind him, Helena exhaled shakily, the cigarette slipping from her fingers.

She whispered to herself, "Damn it... how did he find out so fast?"