Chapter 3: 2

Karla handed me the boot camp key, and I found out that I would have three housemates, Reuben, Lesley, and Kendal.

They were all tech-savvy, real computer geeks, and compared to them, my skills felt inferior because I graduated in the field of Architecture. The moment I stepped inside, they welcomed me warmly.

"Hi! I'm Lesley Asci," one of them greeted me with a friendly smile. "I'm Ruby's cousin."

"Reuben Del Mundo," another guy introduced himself. "I was scouted, and I graduated from MIT."

"Kendal Lim," the only other woman in the group, said with a bright grin. "Graduated from the University of Soul, also scouted by Mr. Akio Delen."

Before I could respond, Reuben smirked and teased, "And she has a huge crush on him."

Kendal’s face turned slightly red as she playfully nudged him. "Shut up, Reuben!"

I smiled slightly. "I'm Sanae Delen. Akio’s sister."

Their eyes widened in shock, especially Kendal, whose jaw nearly dropped.

"Wait… really?!" she gasped. "Oh my God, bro! I can’t believe it. Your brother will be thrilled that you're joining the empire!"

I chuckled at her reaction. "It’s great that people admire my brother so much."

Changing the subject, I asked, "By the way, which room is mine?"

"Oh, come on, bro," Reuben said, patting my back. "Let me show you your room and give you a quick rundown of the house rules. Also, I’ll teach you how to operate everything in your room."

"You two prepare lunch," he added, turning to Kendal and Lesley. "Miss Karla will be visiting again later."

I followed Reuben upstairs as he led me to my room. "Your room is number four," he explained. "Since you're the fourth intern this year."

As I stepped inside, I took in the neatly arranged space. It was simple but functional, perfect for someone who would be spending most of their time working.

"Now, the house rules," Reuben continued. "Everyone has assigned chores. We strictly maintain cleanliness, and there are specific days when we stay in the boot camp just to study. Within the span of two months, we’ll have to complete a software presentation and then launch it. Our internship officially starts on Monday."

"Who are you assigned to?" he asked.

"I'm assigned to Miss Espinosa," I replied casually.

His eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait… seriously, bro?"

I nodded.

"Damn, man, you’re lucky," he said, shaking his head in awe. "Everyone here wishes they’d get picked by her for mentorship."

I frowned slightly. "What’s so special about the founder of Sedes? You all seem to admire her so much."

Reuben let out a chuckle. "Well, aside from the fact that she’s beautiful, she’s the kind of woman every man dreams of. Imagine this, she’s single, laser-focused on the company, and, above all, she has this aura that intimidates everyone. She looks heartless, influential, and powerful."

If only they knew what Ruby Fae Espinosa was truly capable of.

"Are you aware that the empire has a lot of enemies and rivals?" I asked him seriously.

He nodded without hesitation.

"Then why did you still accept the offer?"

He leaned against the doorframe and smirked. "Simple. It’s the only company that offers a ridiculous amount of money and benefits. But that’s not all. Once you enter the company, your safety becomes a priority. Many countries partner with the empire because Sedes provides the highest-end cyber and data security. No hacker in the world can breach it, which is why confidentiality is the name of the game."

I nodded slowly, taking in his words.

"Anyway," he said, clapping his hands. "I’ll leave you to settle in. Feel at home, bro."

"Thanks," I muttered as I placed my bags down and looked around my new room.

This was just the beginning of all.

I opened my laptop and began my research on her. Lesley Asci she lived in the province, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. She was a distant cousin of Ruby, which meant she wasn’t as deeply involved in her life as a sibling or a close relative would be. That made her an easy target.

The key to breaking someone is finding their weakness. And in Lesley’s case, it was clear, her family.

I smirked as I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers against the desk. This was going to be simple. I would befriend her, gain her trust, and slowly know every bit of information she had about her cousin, Ruby Espinosa.

It wouldn’t take much. People like Lesley, who came from small, quiet places, often longed for genuine companionship in a fast-paced world like this. If I played my cards right, she would willingly spill everything she knew without even realizing it.

And once I had that information, seducing Ruby would be effortless.

Knowledge was power, and with it, I would find a way to get close to the woman who held the empire in her grasp.

________________________

Sanae Delen.

I knew her. Akio always talked about her, about her potential, her skills, the future she could have if she fully embraced the empire.

But there was something about her. Something I couldn’t quite explain.

A mystery surrounded her, like a puzzle missing its final piece.

Was I making the right decision by allowing her into my empire?

Before I could dwell on it any longer, Karla entered my office.

"Ma'am," she said, her tone carrying an edge of amusement. "Another mouse has snuck into the empire. Guess who?"

I glanced at her sharply. "Who?"

"It’s Chelsea Merritt," she revealed. "Logan caught her speaking with the enemy ,Andrew, the lead developer of Vertex Solutions."

A slow exhale escaped my lips. "I should have known," I muttered.

Betrayal wasn’t new to me, but it never ceased to disappoint. I looked Karla dead in the eye. "Make sure she disappears from this country. Quietly."

Karla nodded, but I wasn’t finished.

"Call the Federation of Technology," I continued, my voice steady but cold. "Tell them that a threat to the world's data and cyber security has emerged. I want her name erased from every system that matters."

Karla took a step back, awaiting my final orders.

"And her kids?" she asked.

"Make sure they are safe," I said firmly. "Send them to their closest relatives and ensure her disappearance won’t create a scandal."

Karla nodded in understanding before leaving.

But this wasn’t over.

Chelsea had to face me first.

-Interrogation Room-

The Weight of Betrayal

The room was dimly lit, the only source of illumination coming from the single lamp hanging above the steel table. Shadows stretched across the cold walls, enclosing the space in an oppressive silence.

Chelsea sat on the other side, her knuckles white from gripping the edge of her chair.

She was nervous.

Good.

The sharp sound of my heels clicking against the concrete floor echoed like a death toll as I stepped inside.

Chelsea swallowed hard. "Miss Espinosa," she started, her voice unsteady.

I ignored the fear in her eyes and took my seat across from her, folding my hands on the table. My gaze bore into hers.

"You have some nerve," I said, my voice eerily calm. "After everything I’ve given you opportunities, security this is how you repay me?"

Her eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape that didn’t exist. "I—I can explain."

"Then do it." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. "Tell me why you were seen with Andrew from Vertex Solutions."

Her hands trembled as she forced herself to meet my gaze. "It wasn’t what it looked like," she pleaded. "Andrew approached me first—he wanted to recruit me, yes, but I didn’t accept!"

"Logan says otherwise," I countered. "He heard everything, Chelsea. He recorded it. Shall I play it for you?"

She flinched.

"Please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I have children, Miss Espinosa. I was desperate. Andrew promised me money and security for my family. I never intended to betray you, I was just listening!"

I tilted my head, studying her, unmoved by her tears.

"You were considering it," I stated. "Are you that mad that your husband disappeared? You’re just like him, a traitor."

That struck a nerve.

Chelsea's face twisted with rage, and suddenly, the fear that had consumed her moments ago was replaced by burning hatred.

"You bitch!" she screamed, slamming her fists on the table. "You dare talk about my husband after what you did?! You killed him! You took him from me, from our children! He was a good man!"

I narrowed my eyes, unfazed. "Your husband was not a good man, Chelsea. He was a traitor, just like you."

"You’re lying!" she shrieked. "You’re a monster, Ruby! If you hadn't killed him, I wouldn’t have been in this situation! I wouldn’t have had to look for a way out!"

I let out a slow breath, keeping my tone measured. "I didn’t kill your husband."

Her nostrils flared, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Don’t lie to me!"

I leaned forward, my voice steady and unyielding. "Your husband is not dead, Chelsea."

She froze.

"He’s in the custody of the Federation of Data and Cyber Security," I continued. "He was caught attempting the exact same thing you just did. Treason. Selling secrets to our enemies. Betraying the empire."

Chelsea's lips trembled, her fury momentarily replaced by shock. "N-No… that’s not true."

"It is."

Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head violently. "No, you’re lying! You’re lying to justify what you’re doing to me!"

I sighed. "Believe what you want, Chelsea. But that doesn’t change the fact that you chose the same path he did."

Her breathing became ragged as her hands clenched into fists. Then, she lifted her head, glaring at me with pure venom.

"You think you’re untouchable," she spat. "You think you’re a god sitting on your throne, making people disappear, playing with lives like we’re just pieces in your game."

I said nothing.

She laughed bitterly, shaking her head. "But your empire won’t last forever, Ruby Espinosa. One day, it’ll fall. You will fall. And when you do, I hope you burn in hell for everything you’ve done."

I slowly stood up, staring down at her. "I don’t burn, Chelsea."

She snarled at me, but before she could say another word, the doors opened. Two guards stepped in, grabbing her by the arms.

"Take her away," I ordered.

As they dragged her out, her voice rang through the room, laced with hatred and fury.

"You'll pay for this, Ruby! I swear!" she screamed. "Your empire will fall! You will fall!"

I didn’t flinch.

I only turned my gaze toward the one-way mirror.

The empire was not a place for the weak.

And betrayal?

Betrayal was always paid for in full.