Lena

Chapter 5: The Mask Falls

The name Lena stared at on the page seemed to burn in her mind. It echoed like a broken bell, cracked by betrayal. This was not just a powerful individual she was uncovering—it was a figure she had encountered before, someone whose presence in her life had always seemed insignificant but who was, in reality, at the heart of the network.

She gently closed the file, trying to control the trembling in her hands. Julien remained silent, his eyes fixed on her as if waiting for a sign, a reaction. But Lena felt empty, frozen by this revelation that rewrote everything she thought she knew.

"This can't be possible..." she finally murmured, her voice weak, barely audible.

"And yet, it is the truth," Julien replied softly, standing up from the chair where he had been sitting earlier. "Now you understand why everything is so well hidden. This network isn't just run by corrupt men—it's orchestrated by someone who has the power to evade all suspicion."

The name echoing in Lena's mind belonged to a figure deeply embedded in society. A person who, for her and for so many others, had been above reproach. She thought back to the evenings when she had crossed paths with them, to the official events where they had exchanged polite smiles. Nothing, ever, could have suggested that this person was the key to such a vast conspiracy.

Lena straightened up, adrenaline pumping through her veins. "So, what do we do now?"

Julien, still calm, crossed his arms. "Now, we have to decide how to use this information without getting killed. Exposing this name won't be enough, and you know why. They have contacts in the press, the police, and even within the judicial authorities. One wrong move, and we'll disappear, not them."

Lena furrowed her brow, thinking quickly. "There must be a way. If we can reveal this at the right time, in the right place, in front of the right people, we can force them to show themselves."

Julien nodded slowly. "It's possible. But it's going to require extreme precision. We need more than just proof—we need a plan that ensures the media, the public, and even trustworthy people within the system are involved. We'll only get one shot."

Lena reopened the file, this time with renewed determination. "There are documents here, recordings, offshore accounts. It's enough to directly link them to all these operations."

Julien leaned over the desk, examining the papers with her. "Maybe, but they have limitless resources to bury this kind of evidence. They could make it disappear or even turn it against you in the blink of an eye."

She gritted her teeth. Each step she took pulled her deeper into this web. She was trapped, but she wasn't the type to give up. If she wanted to get out of this alive and with her sanity intact, she needed to strike hard, and more importantly, strike accurately.

"If I could get a meeting with this person," she suggested, her voice filled with resignation, "just a face-to-face, to understand how deep this goes."

Julien looked at her incredulously. "Are you serious? You want to get even closer to the danger? This person would silence you in an instant if they knew you had this kind of information."

Lena nodded. "Exactly. If I approach, if I present myself as a direct threat, maybe it will force them to make a mistake. But I need to be well-prepared. And I won't do anything without a backup plan."

Julien sighed. "It's a risky gamble, Lena."

She knew it. She knew that everything she was about to do was a race against time. But she didn't have the luxury of hesitation. If she didn't act, they would. The only thing she could control now was the timing of her attack.

"I'm going to set up the meeting," she finally announced, her voice firmer than she had expected. "I'm going to face them."

Julien hesitated, but eventually nodded. "Alright. But I'm coming with you. If things go wrong, we'll need a plan B."

Lena knew Julien was right. There was no guarantee that this confrontation would go as she hoped. They had to anticipate everything—from possible exits to a way to regain control if things went south. Together, they spent the night planning, detailing every aspect of the upcoming meeting, thinking through every detail. The silence between them was sometimes heavy, but it was also filled with a strange camaraderie born out of urgency and shared fear.

The next morning, Lena prepared to take the biggest leap of her life. She had discreetly sent a message to this person, requesting a meeting. To her surprise, the response had been quick and positive. The meeting was set in a private room of an exclusive club reserved for the city's elite, a place where conversations remained discreet and faces were blurred behind masks of courtesy.

She waited at the entrance of the club, her heart pounding, her thoughts focused on what was about to unfold. Julien was with her but would stay behind, ready to intervene if necessary. Lena felt almost calm, as if the anticipation had numbed her. She knew everything would change in the hours to come, but there was no more room for fear—only for action.

The private room was vast and luxurious, with dark wood-paneled walls and glittering chandeliers. Lena sat in a leather armchair, her hands slightly damp despite her outward calm. The wait was brief. The door opened with calculated slowness, and the one she had feared so much entered.

The man in front of her did not seem threatening at first glance. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, and his polite smile could have disarmed anyone. But Lena now saw that smile for what it was—a mask. A mask this man had worn for years, hiding in plain sight.

"Lena," he said in that voice she knew so well. "I'm pleased you requested to meet me."

She forced herself to smile, though her stomach twisted. "It's time we clarified a few things, don't you think?"

He took a seat across from her, his eyes studying her face with an almost affectionate curiosity. "Absolutely. I've always admired your straightforwardness. You're a talented journalist, Lena."

His tone was icy despite its apparent warmth. Lena felt a rush of adrenaline. She needed to play this game perfectly.

"I want to understand," she said, placing the file on the table between them. "I want to know how far this goes."

The man raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Oh, I think you already understand, Lena. What's fascinating is that you're still alive to talk about it."

She straightened up, careful to remain calm. "And why wouldn't I be?"

He smiled, a slow, predatory smile. "Because, my dear, everything you've uncovered... makes you the greatest threat to this organization. You should have disappeared a long time ago. But you're still here. That's intriguing."

Lena felt her heart race, but she didn't give in to panic. She leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with him. "Maybe you should start worrying. Because I'm not alone in this anymore."