Marco sat back in his leather chair, staring at the sleek, polished desk in front of him. His fingers drummed lightly on the wood as his mind raced through a thousand thoughts. A few investors had pulled out recently. There had been minor delays in some deals, too. However, there were no significant setbacks that could potentially harm him. He'd handled bigger issues before. Still, something felt a little off.

But Marco shook it off. He wasn't one to dwell on small things. Everything always worked out.

The phone buzzed on his desk. It was a message from Bianca. She had been in touch more than usual lately, and Marco wasn’t sure how he felt about it. He took a brief look at the message, which was just another request for greater financial authority. Bianca was getting restless. "Pregnancy," he thought. Making people sensitive all the time.

With a sigh, he quickly replied to her, assuring her not to worry. As usual, everything was going smoothly.

But as the days went on, Marco noticed Bianca’s calls were getting more frequent. She was beginning to insist on greater financial involvement. Marco had initially brushed it off. They had a good plan, after all. However, Bianca's growing impatience made it more difficult to ignore.

Marco sat down with Bianca in his office one afternoon as the sun was beginning to set, and the room was filled with the warm glow of the office lights.

She said, "I need more control, Marco," in a firm but slightly irritated tone that Marco had never heard before. The situation is becoming tense. You have no idea how difficult it is to handle everything at once. I want to be informed about every transaction. You assured me that you would update me.

Marco folded his arms and reclined in his chair. He looked at her for a moment, trying to determine her level of seriousness. Her eyes were alert with worry, and her face was flushed.

"I'm taking care of it, Bianca. You don’t need to worry. Everything’s under control," he said, his tone calm, almost dismissive. When someone questioned him, he detested it. Bianca had no idea what it took to maintain order.

Bianca, however, wouldn't have it. With a frown deepening between her brows, she took a step closer. "Marco, I'm not referring to a few figures here. I'm discussing everything. I'm talking about the company, the future, and the infant. We can't fix this project with a few phone calls."

Marco's jaw tensed. He had worked too hard for too long to let anyone—especially Bianca—question him. "Listen," he said, rising to his feet and speaking in a firmer tone, "you must calm down. The sales are good. Every single one is doing well. Do you hear me say that I'm untouchable?

Something flickered in Bianca's eyes that Marco was unable to identify. Was there any doubt? A letdown?

She asked softly, "Are you sure about that?" But the question lingered in the air like a burden. "Because it appears that you are losing things from where I am standing. Marco, people are talking.

He was not prepared for the depth of her words. Marco's pulse accelerated as his mind raced. Did she mean something? That he was becoming unmanageable?

He reiterated, "I've got everything under control," but he wasn't positive anymore. Although he tried to hide it, he could feel the perspiration on the back of his neck. "Don't stress over trivial matters. It will sort itself out.

Bianca, however, didn't appear persuaded. She gave him a worried and frustrated look. "While you act as though nothing is wrong, I won't sit here and watch everything fall apart."

Marco became aware that he might be losing her, even if only slightly, as the tension in the room increased. It didn't sit well with him.

"I've got this, okay?" Marco tried to sound comforting, but his tone now sounded a little too artificial. "All you have to do is concentrate on looking after yourself. Let me handle the business.

Bianca was silent for a moment, her gaze steady. Then, she turned and walked out of the room without another word.

She had just shut the door behind her, and Marco was standing there, gazing at it. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach. This needed to be fixed by him. He could not afford to lose command.

However, as the days went by, more fissures appeared. His deals, which he believed to be very solid, were starting to fall through, and investors were leaving. He heard rumors and information he couldn't understand. His trusted people were beginning to question him.

Marco had a persistent suspicion that someone was trying to harm him.

One evening, as he sat by himself in his office reviewing the numbers for the hundredth time, his phone buzzed once more. Bianca sent it.

The message read, "I've been talking to Elle."

Marco's veins froze. Elle.

Elle. She had been observing him, he knew. Although he had long suspected that she was playing a game, he never imagined that she would take such a daring step.

"Don’t worry," he replied quickly, trying to keep his calm. "Elle is completely ignorant. I have everything under control.

However, he had a gut feeling that wasn't the case. Elle was astute. Too shrewd. Furthermore, Bianca's increasing impatience made everything seem riskier than it had ever been.

The following day, Bianca and Marco sat across from each other in a café, silently sipping their coffees. Bianca's eyes were unfocused, and she appeared more distant than normal.

Bianca broke the silence by saying, "I've spoken to Elle." "Marco, she's been asking too many questions."

A beat skipped in Marco's heart. He made himself maintain a neutral expression. "What did you tell her?"

Bianca sighed, her fingers tapping the table nervously. "I'm not sure who I can trust anymore, but I didn't tell her everything. She isn't the same.

Marco clenched his fists under the table, his mind racing. Now he had no option. He needed to take quick action before Bianca or Elle could do more harm. No one could defeat him. Not with him so close, not now.

His voice was low as he said, "I'll take care of it."

Bianca simply stared at him, her face unreadable, without replying.

Marco reiterated, "I'll fix this, Bianca." "You have to trust me."

But deep down, Marco wondered if it was already too late. Had Elle already set her trap? Was he unaware that he had already been caught in it?

He didn't want to accept it. However, he had a gut feeling that perhaps the game had already started.

Did Marco undervalue Elle? Or was she just waiting for the right opportunity to present itself?

Would Marco even anticipate it if she did?