Chapter 224

~ Octavia ~

I had resumed to work two days after. Franklin wanted me to stay at home but work couldn’t wait.

The new office was perfect.

I stood in the doorway for a moment, taking it all in. A corner suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan. A big black desk in the middle. And on that desk, a simple vase with white orchids and sunflowers, my favorite flowers.

Tucked among the petals was a card in Franklin’s handwriting:

"To the absolute love of my life. Congratulations baby. —F"

I smiled despite everything. Despite the threat looming over us. Despite knowing that danger was circling. Franklin had sent me flowers.

I set the card on my desk and took a deep breath. Today was important. The headlines had already gone out—"Octavia Herman Promoted to Senior Lead Developer at Flemington Group." The articles mentioned my work on the project, my role in uncovering the Dorian conspiracy, my resilience under pressure.

If only they knew what was really happening.

The first meeting was scheduled for 9 AM. I’d requested it be in the main boardroom. Miranda had agreed, along with the team of developers I’d be overseeing. The message was clear: this was a big deal. I was important now.

And I needed to act like it.

I was reviewing my notes when Victoria appeared in my doorway, coffee in hand and a huge smile on her face.

"Look at you," she said, coming in for a quick hug. "Senior Lead Developer. I knew this was coming. You’re incredible, Octavia."

"Thank you," I said, hugging her back. "It’s still surreal."

"Well, get used to surreal," she said, settling into one of the chairs across from my desk. "Because you’re about to walk into that meeting and remind everyone why you’re the smartest person in this building."

By 9 AM, the boardroom was full. Miranda sat at the head of the table, professional and poised as always. Around her were the developers, five people I’d be working with directly. Engineers, designers, project managers. They all looked at me with varying degrees of respect and curiosity as I took my seat.

"Welcome," Miranda said, opening the meeting. "Octavia is now the Senior Lead Developer for the Nexus project. This is a significant advancement, and I expect all of you to extend her your full cooperation and support."

The meeting flowed naturally. I outlined my vision for the project, my expectations for the team, my timeline. They asked questions. About resources, about timelines, about technical constraints. I answered each one with confidence.

Throughout it all, I kept watching Miranda. Trying to see if there was anything in her expression that would betray her. Any hint of her connection to Bella. Any sign that she was more than my mentor and boss.

But she looked exactly the same as always. Professional. Engaged. Supportive.

It made my skin crawl.

Victoria caught my eye at one point, and I realized she was watching me watch Miranda. I quickly looked away, keeping my face neutral. No one could know what I knew.

After the meeting ended and people were filing out, I excused myself.

"I need to use the restroom," I told Victoria, who was gathering her notes.

"Of course," she said. "You have been peeing a lot these days."

"We had a long meeting," I said, forcing a smile. "I took to much coffee this morning."

The bathroom at the far end of the floor was the one no one used. It was older, less updated, tucked away near the storage closets. I’d chosen it deliberately. More private. Fewer people or no one.

I was just finishing up when I heard the door open quietly.

My heart jumped. No one came to this bathroom. No one.

I stayed completely still, listening.

Then I heard Miranda’s voice.

"Yes, it’s done," she was saying, her voice low and urgent. She was on the phone. "She has no idea. I have bugged her office. Everything’s proceeding as planned."

There was a pause. Then: "No, she hasn’t figured it out yet. The new position gives her access to everything, that might be a problem but I will think of something."

My hand flew to my pocket. My phone was there. I had to record this. I carefully, silently, pulled it out and opened the recording app. I kept myself completely still in the bathroom stall, barely breathing.

"I understand," Miranda continued. "But you need to be careful. She’s smarter than she looks. Once she realizes—"

Another pause.

"The name Charlotte works for now," Miranda said, and my pulse spiked. Charlotte. That was something. "But you know it won’t hold forever. Eventually, someone will figure out you’re there."

My mind was racing. Charlotte. Bella was now bearing Charlotte.

"Williams is already in place," Miranda said. "He’s integrated into the team. She’ll meet him tomorrow during the introduction. He has everything he needs."

Who was Williams? What was his role?

"Yes, I know what’s at stake," Miranda said, her voice turning harder. "I’ve known from the beginning. That’s why I’m doing this. You think I forgot what Franklin did? You think I forgot being overlooked, being passed over? She came to me and reminded me. She showed me exactly what I deserved, and it wasn’t what this company was giving me."

I felt cold. Miranda’s motivation. She was helping Bella because she felt wronged by Franklin.

"It’s only been a few weeks," Miranda said. "Let the plan unfold. By the time she realizes what’s happening, it will be too late."

Another pause.

"Yes. Yes, I’ll make sure she doesn’t suspect anything. I’ll check on her after the meeting. Make her feel comfortable. Safe. And then Williams will start his work."

I pressed my hand over my mouth. I couldn’t let her hear me. I couldn’t let her know I was here. My phone was still recording. Every word was being captured.

"Goodbye, Bella," Miranda said finally. "I’ll call you tomorrow."

The line went dead.

I heard Miranda put her phone away. She stood there for a moment, I could hear her breathing, then she washed her hands and left.

I stayed in the stall for a full ten minutes after she left, making sure she was completely gone. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. I had it. I had everything. The location. The plan. The name. Williams.

I got out of the stall and looked at my phone. The recording was perfect. Every word was there. Every confession. Every detail of their plan.

I needed to get this to Franklin immediately.

But first, I had to get through the rest of the day without Miranda suspecting anything.

When I got back to the main office area, Victoria was waiting for me.

"Miranda’s been looking for you," she said. "She wanted to talk after the meeting. She’s in her office now."

Of course she was.

I made my way to Miranda’s office, trying to keep my expression neutral. My stomach was twisting with anxiety and adrenaline.

Miranda looked up from her desk as I knocked. She smiled warmly, like she hadn’t just been on the phone with Bella, like she wasn’t part of some elaborate plan to destroy me.

"Octavia. I was hoping to catch you. How are you feeling? With the promotion, I mean. Are you coping okay?"

"Fine," I said, sitting down across from her. "It’s exciting. Challenging, but in a good way."

"Good," she said, studying me carefully. "That’s what I wanted to make sure of. I know it’s a lot of responsibility."

"It is," I agreed. "But I’m ready for it."

"I wanted to give you a heads up about your team dynamics," she said, folding her hands on her desk. "The project is expanding, which means you’ll need additional support. Mr Clinton was originally going to partner with you on this, but given recent developments, I’ve decided to assign you a different partner. Someone who can dedicate all their energy to this project without... complications."

I kept my face completely neutral, even though my mind was racing. "Oh? Who?"

Miranda looked at me straight in the eye.

"His name is Williams. Williams Peterson. He’ll be joining the team tomorrow for a formal introduction. He comes highly recommended. I think you two will work very well together."

The moment she said his name, a chill ran through my entire body.

Was that not the name I heard earlier?

"Octavia?" Miranda was watching me carefully. "Are you alright? You look a little pale."

I forced a smile, even though my hands were shaking slightly. "Just tired. It’s been a big day."

"Of course," she said, accepting my answer. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be important. I want you to make a good impression on Williams. He’s... very important to our plans."

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

As I left her office, my mind was spinning.

Who was he?