Madison had always known how to charm her way through any situation. But now, standing in the dimly lit back office of Utter's upscale showroom, the mask of politeness and poise had fallen away. Her face was drawn, tense, as she looked down at the documents spread out on the table between her and Utter.
"Is this everything?" Utter's voice was calm, calculated, though his eyes betrayed a hint of impatience. He ran a hand through his neatly combed hair, his gaze shifting from Madison to the array of design sketches and competition plans she had brought with her.
Madison nodded, her eyes flicking nervously between the pages. "This is just part of it. Kim and his team have been working around the clock—there's so much more to uncover. These are the ones I managed to get hold of before they tightened security." She placed a few more files onto the table, her hands trembling slightly.
Utter studied the plans closely, his lips curling into a sly smile. "Impressive," he muttered, his fingers tracing the designs. "So Kim's team really is as good as they say. This could be everything I need to finally take him down."
Madison shifted uncomfortably, but her resolve was starting to harden. She had made her choice, and now there was no turning back. She had been humiliated, fired by Kim for the incident with Riele—one mistake that had cost her everything. Utter, however, had offered her a way out, a chance to rebuild her reputation. All she had to do was give him what he wanted.
"You're sure this will work?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, these designs are their best work. If we use them against him, Kim won't just be defeated. He'll be finished."
Utter leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the edge of the table. "I don't just want to beat him, Madison. I want him ruined. This is bigger than the competition. This is about power. If I can take Kim down, the industry will see me as the true visionary, not some upstart who's been riding the coattails of others."
He paused, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto Madison's gaze. "And you, my dear, will have everything you've ever wanted. I'll make sure of it."
Madison's breath hitched slightly, but she held her ground. The temptation was there—more than she'd ever imagined. The promise of a fresh start, the chance to be the one in control. She wanted to believe in Utter's words, wanted to think she could rebuild herself after the humiliation of being cast out of Kim's circle.
But deep down, she knew what this meant. Utter wasn't offering her a new life; he was using her. He was just like everyone else in this industry—ruthless, power-hungry, willing to tear down anyone in their way for the sake of their own gain.
"You've got the designs," Madison said, swallowing the lump in her throat. "What's the next step?"
Utter smiled, his expression cold and calculating. "Now, we make sure the world knows just how much Kim has been hiding. We'll leak these designs to the press, make it look like Kim was planning to betray his team, steal their ideas and make them his own. No one will trust him again."
Madison's stomach churned at the thought, but she quickly buried her discomfort. "And then?"
"We wait," Utter replied, his voice steady, filled with certainty. "We wait for Kim to lose everything. And when he does, you'll be right there, ready to take his place."
***_****
Kim sat at his desk, his mind whirling with thoughts of the competition and the secret mole within their ranks. He had no idea yet that the damage was already done. The betrayal was in motion, and Utter's plan to destroy everything they had worked for was about to unfold.
Riele, Jane, and Jay were still working tirelessly, trying to get ahead of the leaks. The team had been on edge all day, knowing the competition was about to enter its final phase. They needed every advantage they could get, and the thought of someone within their own team working against them haunted them all.
Riele stood by the window, her gaze distant. She could feel the tension growing, like a storm waiting to break. Her phone buzzed on the desk, snapping her out of her thoughts. She grabbed it quickly, recognizing the incoming message from Kim.
We need to talk. Something's off. Meet me at the office.
The urgency in his text sent a jolt of anxiety through her. They'd all been dealing with the pressure, but now there was a new sense of dread. She quickly grabbed her bag and looked at Jane and Jay.
"We need to move," she said, her voice low.
"What happened?" Jane asked, standing up from her desk.
"I don't know yet," Riele replied, her brow furrowing. "But something's not right. Kim's asking to meet."
***______***
Utter's office was silent except for ,the sound of the low hum of the air conditioning. He had just finished reviewing the designs when his phone rang. The name on the screen made him smirk. It was time to take the next step in his plan.
"Yes?" he answered, his voice all business.
"Everything is set," a voice said on the other end, calm and confident. "The designs are being leaked as we speak. The press is going to eat this up."
Utter's lips curled into a satisfied grin. "Perfect. Kim won't know what hit him."
He hung up the phone, his fingers drumming on the desk. The plan was in motion. Madison had done her part. Now all he had to do was wait for the chaos to unfold. He would break Kim, shatter his reputation, and claim the industry as his own.
Madison's role was far from over. He would use her again, when the time was right. She had no idea just how expendable she was in his game. But for now, she had served her purpose, and soon, the world would know just how far Kim would go to win—and how badly he had failed.