Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 33: The Trap is Set

Lucien had barely slept. The tension from Victor’s threats and the worry over Ivy and the baby kept him on edge, his mind constantly strategizing. As he looked at Ivy’s fragile form, the weight of the situation settled heavily on his shoulders. But there was no room for weakness; his enemies were circling, and he had to be stronger than ever.

The hospital was quiet, the early morning stillness broken only by the soft hum of machines. Lucien’s phone buzzed with a notification—a message from Gerald. He had managed to secure more intel on Victor’s operations. As Lucien scanned the report, a plan began to form in his mind. It was risky, but the only way to take down Victor and Alessandra was to lure them into a trap.

Lucien turned to Alex, who had stayed by his side through the long night. “It’s time to go on the offensive. We can’t just sit and wait for them to make their move.”

Alex nodded, his expression resolute. “I’m with you. What’s the plan?”

Lucien leaned in, his voice low but filled with determination. “We bait them. Make them think they’re winning. Victor wants my shares in Blackwood Enterprises, and Alessandra wants to see me broken. We’ll give them just enough to make them overconfident, and then we strike.”

Alex grinned, the hint of a challenge lighting up his eyes. “They won’t see it coming.”

Lucien called Gerald, laying out the details of his plan. They would feed false information to Victor and Alessandra, making them believe Lucien was desperate and willing to negotiate. At the same time, they would quietly build their defenses and gather evidence to expose the criminal activities Victor had hidden beneath the surface of his business empire.

Hours later, Lucien arranged a meeting with Victor in one of Blackwood’s less prominent offices—a location chosen specifically to give Victor a false sense of control. As Lucien walked into the conference room, he kept his expression carefully neutral, masking the anger boiling beneath the surface.

Victor was already seated, his smug smile suggesting he believed he had the upper hand. Alessandra stood beside him, her eyes flicking with cold amusement. Lucien felt a surge of anger, but he forced himself to stay calm.

“Lucien,” Victor greeted, leaning back in his chair with feigned casualness. “I’m glad you’ve decided to be reasonable. I knew you’d see that this was the best choice for everyone.”

Lucien sat opposite Victor, his demeanor cool and composed. “I’m here to discuss terms. But let’s be clear: this isn’t a surrender. It’s an opportunity for us to settle this without further damage to either side.”

Alessandra scoffed, crossing her arms. “Cut the crap, Lucien. We know you’re cornered. You’re just delaying the inevitable.”

Lucien met her gaze, his eyes hard. “The only inevitable thing here, Alessandra, is that you’re going to regret crossing me.”

Victor’s smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “Let’s not waste time with threats. You know what I want—your shares, your business. Hand them over, and I’ll make sure your family remains untouched.”

Lucien nodded slowly, pretending to consider the offer. “And what guarantees do I have that you won’t turn around and come after my family anyway?”

Victor’s smile widened. “You don’t. But that’s the risk you take when you’re in my position. It’s your call, Lucien.”

Lucien leaned forward, his voice steady. “Here’s my counteroffer: I’ll give you a portion of my shares as a goodwill gesture, but the rest remain with me. You stay out of my family’s affairs, and I’ll stay out of yours.”

Victor raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A portion, you say? And what makes you think I won’t just take the rest once I have a foot in the door?”

Lucien’s expression was ice-cold. “Because the minute you step out of line, everything you’ve built comes crashing down. I have enough on you to ruin you, Victor. Don’t mistake this for weakness.”

The tension in the room was palpable. Victor and Alessandra exchanged a quick glance, silently weighing their options. Finally, Victor nodded, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

“Fine,” Victor said, trying to maintain his composure. “But don’t think for a second that I won’t be watching your every move.”

Lucien stood, extending his hand. “Then we have a deal—for now.”

As they shook hands, Lucien felt a surge of triumph. Victor had taken the bait, and now all Lucien needed was the right moment to pull the rug out from under him. The wheels were already in motion; Gerald was coordinating with law enforcement to secure the evidence they needed to bring Victor down once and for all.

Back at the hospital, Lucien checked on Ivy and the baby. The sight of them, so vulnerable, renewed his resolve. He would protect them at any cost, even if it meant playing a dangerous game with Victor and Alessandra.

Later that evening, Lucien received another message—this time from an unknown number. It was a video clip showing Victor meeting with a group of men in a dimly lit warehouse, exchanging what appeared to be confidential information about Blackwood Enterprises. The evidence was damning, and Lucien knew it was the final piece he needed.

Lucien forwarded the clip to Gerald, who confirmed that the men in the video were connected to a string of illegal activities, including fraud and corporate espionage. This was it—the smoking gun that would finally bring Victor down.

The next morning, Lucien arranged a press conference. He stood before the cameras, his expression calm but determined. As the cameras flashed, Lucien revealed the extent of Victor’s deceit, laying out the evidence in meticulous detail. The footage of Victor’s meeting played on the screen behind him, and the room erupted in shocked whispers.

Victor’s reaction was swift and furious. He tried to storm the stage, shouting denials and threats, but security held him back. Alessandra, who had been watching from the sidelines, slipped away, her expression a mix of fear and anger.

Lucien watched them go, feeling a sense of closure. It wasn’t just about protecting his business or his reputation; it was about safeguarding the people he loved from those who would do them harm.

As Lucien returned to the hospital, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He had faced down his enemies and emerged stronger, more determined than ever to build a future with Ivy and their child. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, Lucien felt a glimmer of hope.

With Victor and Alessandra out of the picture, Lucien knew that the real work was just beginning. But as he held Ivy’s hand, watching the steady rise and fall of her breathing, he felt ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would rebuild, stronger than ever, and no one would stand in their way.