The Roy Mansion was unusually quiet as dusk settled, the golden light filtering through stained glass and casting long, ominous shadows in the halls. Billy Roy stood by the window of his study, staring at the sprawling gardens below. His mind raced with the events of the past weeks—betrayals, shifting alliances, and the ever-present threat from William Smith and his shadowy partners.
A soft knock broke his reverie. It was Ryan, now Head of Gold Production, looking anxious but determined.
"Sir, the reports from the Central Design Department are in. There's something you need to see."
Billy took the folder, flipping through pages filled with coded messages and financial statements. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a familiar name—an offshore account linked to one of their own directors.
"So, the leak wasn't just a one-time thing," Billy muttered. "Someone's been feeding our secrets for months."
Ryan nodded. "And it gets worse. The security team found evidence that someone tried to tamper with the production line last night. If we hadn't caught it, the entire shipment would've been ruined."
Billy clenched his fists. "It's time to stop playing defense."
He strode out, determination in his step, and called an emergency meeting in the mansion's underground conference room. The family gathered—Rin, poised and cold; Ron, fidgeting nervously; their parents, silent and watchful; and Aunt Grace, whose presence seemed to unsettle everyone.
Billy stood at the head of the table. "We have a traitor among us. Someone has been selling our designs and sabotaging our production. I've traced the money, and I have a list of suspects."
Rin's eyes flashed. "Are you accusing one of us?"
"No," Billy replied, voice steady. "But I am saying that our enemies have help inside these walls. And until we find out who, no one is above suspicion."
Ron slammed his fist on the table. "This is madness! We're family!"
Billy shot him a cold look. "That didn't stop someone from nearly destroying us."
A tense silence fell. Finally, Ami Roy spoke. "What do you propose, Billy?"
"We lock down the company. No one enters or leaves without clearance. Every executive's accounts are to be audited. And I want security doubled—especially around the gold vault and the design labs."
Rin nodded slowly. "Agreed. But if you're wrong, you'll answer to me."
Billy met her gaze. "If I'm wrong, I'll step down. But if I'm right, we'll finally know who's been betraying us."
As the meeting ended, Aunt Grace lingered, her expression unreadable. She approached Billy quietly. "Be careful, my dear. In this family, truth is often more dangerous than lies."
Billy watched her go, the weight of leadership settling on his shoulders. Outside, thunder rumbled—a storm was coming, and the Roys would need all their cunning to survive it.