章 25: The Trap Is Set
With her suspicions now confirmed by Lori, Mila Morgan knew she had to act swiftly and decisively. Penny Townsend had been more than just a trusted COO; she had been a friend, someone Mila had relied on during the most critical moments of her career. But now, the faint shadow of doubt had solidified into something far darker—a betrayal too painful to ignore.
To expose Penny without tipping her hand, Mila devised an elaborate trap, one that would leave no room for doubt. She needed to set the bait in a way that would draw Penny in and force her to reveal her treachery. This trap couldn't just be any business deal; it had to be irresistible, one that would appeal to Penny's ambition and Drake Hawthorne's hunger for insider information.
Sinclair Holdings was the perfect lure.
Mila knew that Marcus Sinclair, CEO of Sinclair Holdings, was always looking for an edge. He had a reputation for ruthless opportunism, making him the ideal third party to unwittingly play a role in Mila's scheme. A phony business deal with Sinclair would be the perfect bait—a major real estate development opportunity in Dubai. The terms would appear lucrative and time-sensitive, seemingly the kind of deal that would compel Penny to act.
Mila spent the next several days crafting the details. She meticulously designed the deal to be both appealing and credible. The Dubai project had all the hallmarks of a legitimate venture—massive potential profits, exclusive development rights, and access to prime real estate. It was too good to pass up, especially for someone like Penny, who had always craved more power within Morgan Enterprises.
The moment came in an internal strategy meeting, held in the imposing boardroom of Morgan Enterprises. The room itself was a testament to Mila's dominance—floor-to-ceiling windows provided panoramic views of Manhattan, while the glass walls reflected the faces of her top executives seated around the sleek black table. The atmosphere was one of calculated professionalism, but underneath, Mila felt the tension simmering.
She presented the Dubai deal with the same calm, sharp focus that had built her empire. Her words were deliberate, each sentence painting the picture of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a project that would require swift action. She laid out the projected profits, the timelines, and the international partnerships that would supposedly make the deal a success. Penny, as always, sat near the head of the table, nodding along, taking notes with the practiced efficiency that had earned her Mila's trust. Her expression was unreadable, but Mila's trained eye picked up the subtle cues—an eager glint in her eyes, the slight lean forward as she absorbed the details.
Mila's voice remained calm, but inside, her anger boiled. She watched Penny more closely than she ever had before, taking note of every movement, every breath. There was no doubt in her mind that Penny would take the bait. She had set the perfect trap, and Penny's ambition was too great to resist.
After the meeting, Mila made sure that Penny had unrestricted access to the deal's details, just as she had with every other major venture. She even mentioned that the deal needed to be handled discreetly, knowing full well that this would only encourage Penny to pass the information to Drake.
Now all that was left to do was wait.
Days passed, and Mila's patience was rewarded with the confirmation she had both dreaded and expected: Drake Hawthorne took the bait. The Dubai deal, which had been a fabrication from the start, suddenly caught his attention with a level of interest that was far too coincidental. His team approached the deal with enthusiasm, showing all the signs of someone with inside knowledge. Mila had been right—Penny had fed Drake the information, just as she suspected.
But as much as Mila had steeled herself for this moment, the realization of Penny's betrayal hit her harder than she anticipated. She had always prided herself on her ability to stay two steps ahead, to control her emotions and outmaneuver her rivals. Yet this betrayal wasn't just business—it was personal. The sting of Penny's disloyalty cut deeper than Mila wanted to admit.
Sitting alone in her private office, Mila stared out at the skyline, her reflection in the glass merging with the image of the city beyond. She had spent years building Morgan Enterprises, fighting off competitors, crushing obstacles, and sacrificing pieces of herself along the way. But this—being betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust—felt like a deeper kind of loss. The anger simmered just below the surface, threatening to boil over, but Mila knew better than to let it. She couldn't afford to act on emotion, not now.
No, this had to be handled with cold, calculated precision.
The day of reckoning came quickly. Mila scheduled a one-on-one meeting with Penny in her office, under the guise of discussing the progress on several key projects. Penny arrived on time, her demeanor as professional as ever, though Mila could see the faintest hint of tension in her posture. For someone who had been hiding such a significant betrayal, Penny had done well to keep up appearances. But today, that would end.
As Penny sat across from her, Mila took a moment to study her, wondering how long she had been lying. Had Penny always been plotting behind her back, or had something changed recently? It didn't matter now.
"Penny," Mila began, her voice calm but laced with an undertone of finality. "We need to talk."
Penny looked up from her notes, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "Is there a problem?" she asked, her voice steady, though Mila could sense the unease beneath the surface.
Mila leaned forward, her eyes locking onto Penny's. "I think you already know the answer to that."
For a split second, Penny's mask slipped. A flicker of panic crossed her face, but she quickly regained control, her expression turning defensive. "Mila, I don't understand—"
"You do," Mila cut her off, her tone sharper now. "I know about the Dubai deal. I know you passed the details to Drake."
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of Mila's accusation hanging between them like a loaded gun. Penny froze, her eyes widening as the reality of the situation sank in. There was no escape. Mila had her cornered, and the only thing left was for Penny to decide how she would fall.
"I… I can explain," Penny stammered, her voice faltering for the first time.
Mila shook her head, her expression unrelenting. "There's nothing to explain. You betrayed me, Penny. You've been feeding Drake information for months, haven't you?"
Penny's silence was all the confirmation Mila needed. The woman who had once been her closest ally now sat before her, exposed and defeated.
"I trusted you," Mila said, her voice cold and devoid of emotion. "I gave you everything. And this is how you repay me?"
Penny opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. She knew there was nothing she could say to fix this, nothing that would erase the betrayal that had already been laid bare.
As Mila sat back, her face hardened with resolve. Penny had made her choice, and now she would face the consequences.
"I'll have HR draft your resignation by the end of the day," Mila said, her tone final. "Pack your things. You're done here."
Penny stared at her, the color draining from her face, but there was no point in pleading. The woman she had betrayed wasn't just her boss—she was Mila Morgan, and Mila Morgan never forgave a traitor.
As Penny stood and left the office, Mila watched her go, feeling the weight of the betrayal settle over her like a cold shadow. She had won, but the victory felt hollow.
Because in the end, even the strongest walls crumble from the inside.
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