Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 32: The Enemy in the Shadows

The tension in the hospital was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment. Ivy remained stable but fragile, the baby clinging to life in the neonatal unit. Lucien, physically and emotionally drained, hadn't left her side. He was haunted by the cryptic messages and the looming sense that the battle was far from over.

The morning sun had barely risen when Lucien received a call from his security chief, Gerald. The grim look on his face told Lucien that something had gone wrong again. Gerald's voice was low and urgent.

"Mr. Blackwood, you need to get to the conference room on the second floor immediately. We have an unexpected visitor-someone who insisted on meeting with you in person. I think you'll want to handle this yourself."

Lucien's stomach churned. The last thing he needed was another confrontation, especially with Ivy's condition still precarious. But the urgency in Gerald's voice left him no choice. He instructed Alex to stay with Ivy and made his way to the designated meeting spot.

As Lucien entered the dimly lit conference room, he was greeted by a familiar, unwelcome sight. Sitting at the head of the table, exuding a smug confidence, was Victor Moreau-a ruthless businessman who had long been Lucien's fiercest rival. Victor had always envied Lucien's success, constantly seeking ways to undermine and surpass him. But no matter how hard he tried, he was always stuck in second place behind the Blackwood legacy.

Victor's presence immediately set Lucien on edge. He wasn't just a competitor; he was a threat-a man who had spent years trying to tear down everything Lucien had built. And now, with Ivy's life hanging in the balance, Lucien couldn't afford to be distracted by petty rivalries.

"Victor," Lucien said coolly, masking his annoyance. "This isn't the time or place for whatever game you're playing. What do you want?"

Victor leaned back in his chair, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Lucien, I'm not here for games. I'm here for business. You see, I've heard about your... troubles, and I wanted to offer my condolences. It must be hard, seeing your empire and your personal life unraveling at the same time."

Lucien's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "Cut to the chase, Victor. I don't have time for your gloating."

Victor's expression darkened, and he leaned forward, his voice dripping with malice. "You've always been the golden boy, haven't you? Everything handed to you on a silver platter. But I've worked for everything I have, and I'm tired of living in your shadow."

Lucien's anger flared, but he kept his composure. "If you have a proposal, spit it out. Otherwise, I suggest you leave."

Victor's smile returned, more sinister than before. "Alright, I'll be blunt. I want your shares in Blackwood Enterprises. Hand them over, and I'll make sure Ivy and your child are protected. Refuse, and... well, let's just say Alessandra and I have been busy planning your downfall."

The mention of Alessandra sent a chill down Lucien's spine. He had suspected that she wasn't acting alone, but to hear it confirmed-that she and Victor were partners in this twisted game-made his blood boil.

"You're behind the security breach," Lucien accused, his voice low and dangerous. "You're the one sending those threats."

Victor shrugged nonchalantly. "Threats? I prefer to think of them as negotiations. I'm simply giving you an opportunity to make the smart choice. After all, what's a company compared to the safety of your family?"

Lucien's fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay calm. "You really think you can scare me into handing over my life's work? You've underestimated me, Victor. You always have."

Victor's smile faltered, revealing the cracks in his arrogant façade. "You're a fool, Lucien. You're too proud to see the reality of your situation. I have connections, power-you can't fight this alone."

Lucien took a step closer, his voice cold and unyielding. "I'm not alone. I have my family, my friends, and people who believe in me. You may have Alessandra, but your greed will be your downfall."

Victor stood, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. He glared at Lucien with thinly veiled contempt. "We'll see about that. But remember, Lucien, every second you waste trying to play the hero, Ivy and your child are at risk. Time is not on your side."

With that, Victor strode out of the conference room, leaving Lucien seething in his wake. Lucien knew that Victor's threats were not empty, and the danger to Ivy and his newborn was more real than ever. As Lucien returned to Ivy's room, his mind was racing with thoughts of how to counter Victor's moves.

Alex was waiting by Ivy's bedside when Lucien returned, his expression immediately picking up on Lucien's tension. "What happened?"

"Victor Moreau," Lucien said tersely, his jaw set. "He's working with Alessandra, and they're trying to take Blackwood Enterprises from me. He's threatening Ivy and the baby if I don't give in."

Alex's face hardened. "That bastard. We need to hit back, and we need to do it now. What's the plan?"

Lucien's mind worked rapidly, piecing together a strategy. "First, we lock down all access to company data and assets. I'll have Gerald increase security around Ivy, the baby, and every key location we operate. We need to dig into Victor's and Alessandra's connections-find their weaknesses and expose them."

As they discussed their next steps, Lucien's phone rang again. This time, it was Gerald. "Mr. Blackwood, we've identified the source of the previous breach. It was routed through a series of dummy servers, but we managed to trace one of the key IP addresses back to a property owned by Victor Moreau."

Lucien felt a cold surge of determination. "Keep digging. I want everything you can find on him. We need to stay one step ahead."

As the hours passed, Lucien and Alex worked tirelessly, coordinating with Gerald and their legal team to secure their assets and protect their interests. They knew that they were facing a formidable enemy, but Lucien was prepared to fight with everything he had.

The hospital remained on high alert, and Lucien made sure that Ivy and the baby were under constant surveillance. The pressure was mounting, and the lines between business and personal had blurred beyond recognition.

Lucien stood by Ivy's bedside, watching her as she slept. Despite the chaos and threats, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was not going to let Victor or Alessandra tear apart what he had fought so hard to protect.

As the night deepened, Lucien knew that the battle was just beginning. The stakes were higher than ever, but with Alex by his side and the support of those who believed in him, Lucien was ready to face whatever came next. He would stop at nothing to protect his family, reclaim his business, and bring his enemies to justice-no matter the cost.