Rebirth It All

Chapter 6: Shadows of Betrayal

Elliot Greaves had always been the loyal one—or so I thought. He’d been my right-hand man, the person I trusted with my company, my decisions, and even my secrets. Seeing him walk out of my building, confident and composed, only added to the burning questions in my mind. If anyone could help me understand what had happened, it was him.

I followed him.

It was easier than I expected, blending into the chaos of the city streets. His car weaved through traffic, sleek and imposing, while I lagged behind, ducking into alleyways and side streets to keep pace. The hustle and bustle of the city worked to my advantage, masking me in its noise and movement.

Eventually, the car pulled up to an exclusive restaurant—a place I recognized instantly. It was where I’d held countless meetings with high-profile clients, the kind of place where a single glass of wine cost more than Leo Torres’s weekly wages.

I waited across the street, watching as Elliot stepped out of the car and was immediately greeted by the restaurant staff. They treated him like royalty, ushering him inside as if he owned the place.

Once he was out of sight, I crossed the street and approached the entrance. The doorman eyed me suspiciously, his gaze sweeping over my worn-out clothes and sweat-streaked face.

“Can I help you?” he asked, his tone making it clear that I didn’t belong.

“I’m here to meet someone,” I lied, my voice steady.

“Name?”

“Elliot Greaves,” I said without hesitation.

The doorman’s expression didn’t change, but the way he blocked the entrance made it clear I wasn’t getting in. “I think you’ve got the wrong place, buddy.”

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to argue. There was no way I was getting past him—not looking like this.

So, I stepped back and watched.

The restaurant’s front windows offered a partial view of the dining area, and it didn’t take long to spot Elliot. He was seated at a table near the back, talking to a man I didn’t recognize. They were both dressed in tailored suits, their postures relaxed but their expressions serious.

I strained to hear their conversation, but the glass muffled everything. Frustration gnawed at me as I tried to piece together what they might be discussing. Business? Deals? Was this connected to my sudden disappearance?

I needed to get closer.

The alley beside the restaurant offered a possible solution. I slipped into it, navigating past dumpsters and stacks of crates until I found a side door. It was locked, but a nearby delivery worker unloading boxes gave me an opportunity.

I waited until he stepped inside with his load, then caught the door before it closed.

Inside, the kitchen was a flurry of activity. Chefs shouted orders, pots clanged, and the air was thick with the aroma of rich sauces and sizzling meat. No one noticed me as I slipped through, my heart pounding.

I found a corner near the dining area where I could remain hidden, but still see and hear Elliot. The man he was talking to leaned forward, his voice low and urgent.

“…with Orion out of the picture, the board is fully on our side,” the man said.

My breath caught.

Elliot nodded, his expression calm but calculating. “Good. We can’t afford any loose ends. The company is stable now, but if anyone starts asking questions…”

“They won’t,” the man interrupted. “No one’s looking for him. Everyone assumes he’s gone for good.”

“Let’s hope it stays that way,” Elliot replied. “The last thing we need is for his name to resurface and ruin everything we’ve built.”

I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me.

They knew. They knew I was gone, and they were capitalizing on it. Elliot, the man I had trusted with everything, was orchestrating this betrayal. He wasn’t just running my company—he was ensuring I couldn’t come back.

Anger surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn’t afford to be reckless, not when I was finally getting answers.

The man leaned back, taking a sip of his drink. “What about the Torres acquisition? Is that still on track?”

Elliot’s brow furrowed. “It’s a minor deal, but it’ll be finalized soon. Not exactly a game-changer, but every little bit helps.”

Torres? The name hit me like a brick. Were they talking about Leo Torres? Was his life somehow tied to Orion Industries?

I needed more information, but before I could process what I’d heard, a loud crash from the kitchen startled me. A tray of dishes had fallen, and the commotion drew the attention of everyone nearby—including Elliot.

His eyes flicked toward the kitchen, scanning the area. For a moment, I thought he’d spotted me, but then he turned back to his companion.

“I need to go,” Elliot said, standing abruptly. “We’ll continue this later.”

I ducked back into the kitchen, slipping out the way I’d come. My heart raced as I disappeared into the alley, blending into the shadows.

By the time I reached the street, Elliot’s car was pulling away, and I was left with more questions than answers.

They had orchestrated my disappearance. They had ensured no one would look for me. And somehow, Leo Torres’s name had come up in their plans.

This wasn’t just about me anymore.

It was about Leo, Rosa, Mateo—and whatever connection they had to the empire I’d built.

I clenched my fists, a fire burning in my chest.

If Elliot thought he could erase me, he was wrong.

I wasn’t gone.

And I wasn’t finished.