The drive back to the Valentino estate was silent.
Not the normal silence of strategy.
This one was heavier.
More dangerous.
Marco sat in the passenger seat, watching Ares from the corner of his eye.
Ares hadn't said a single word since they left the financial district.
His eyes were fixed ahead.
Cold.
Focused.
But Marco knew that look.
It wasn't anger.
It was calculation.
And that was worse.
The convoy entered the estate gates and rolled toward the mansion.
Guards opened the doors immediately.
Ares stepped out.
Marco followed.
"You're going to confront her, aren't you?"
Ares didn't stop walking.
"Yes."
Marco rubbed his temple.
"This could be exactly what Leon wants."
Ares stopped at the base of the stairs.
"And if it's true?"
Marco hesitated.
He didn't want to answer that question.
Because if Elara was involved…
Everything would change.
They walked inside.
The mansion was quiet.
Too quiet.
Ares moved through the hallway with steady steps until he reached the terrace overlooking the lake.
And there she was.
Elara stood near the railing, the night wind moving through her hair.
She turned when she heard his footsteps.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"You're back earlier than expected."
Ares didn't smile.
Marco stayed near the doorway, sensing the tension instantly.
Elara noticed it.
"What happened?"
Ares walked closer.
Slow.
Controlled.
"Where were you three nights ago?"
Her brow lifted slightly.
"That's a strange question."
"Answer it."
She studied his expression.
"At the estate."
"With anyone?"
"I had dinner with Helena."
Marco glanced at Ares.
That part was true.
Security logs confirmed it.
But that didn't explain the photo.
Ares pulled the folded picture from his coat.
He handed it to her.
"Explain this."
Elara looked down.
For the first time—
Her expression changed.
Not fear.
Not guilt.
But surprise.
She stared at the image.
"That's impossible."
Marco stepped forward slightly.
"You recognize it."
She looked up immediately.
"Yes."
"Then tell us why you're standing beside a man who infiltrated the estate."
Elara's eyes sharpened.
"I didn't meet anyone that night."
Ares' voice remained steady.
"The elevator used your access code."
"Then someone stole it."
Marco crossed his arms.
"And the photo?"
Elara looked at Ares again.
"You think I betrayed you?"
The question hung between them.
Ares answered honestly.
"I don't know."
For a moment—
Something hurt flashed in her eyes.
But it disappeared quickly.
She took a slow breath.
"Then you should."
Ares watched her carefully.
"Convince me."
Elara walked past him toward the table.
She placed the photo down under the light.
Then she leaned closer to examine it.
A few seconds passed.
Then she frowned.
"That's not me."
Marco blinked.
"It's clearly you."
"No."
She pointed at the image.
"Look closer."
Ares stepped forward.
She tapped the photo again.
"The necklace."
Ares' eyes narrowed.
The woman in the photo wore a silver necklace.
Elara lifted her hand to her neck.
Nothing.
"I stopped wearing that necklace two weeks ago," she said calmly.
Marco frowned.
"Maybe it's an old picture."
Elara shook her head.
"The car in the background arrived last week."
Marco looked again.
She was right.
Which meant—
Someone had intentionally dressed like her.
Marco exhaled slowly.
"So we're dealing with an impersonator now."
Ares' gaze hardened.
"Leon is trying to divide us."
Elara folded the photo again and handed it back.
"He wants you questioning your allies."
Ares studied her face.
Her confidence.
Her calm.
And the fact that she hadn't tried to defend herself emotionally.
Only logically.
That was Elara.
"Leon underestimated something," Ares said quietly.
Marco looked at him.
"What?"
Ares looked at Elara.
"You."
Elara tilted her head slightly.
"How so?"
"He assumed I would doubt you."
Elara smiled faintly.
"And did you?"
Ares didn't hesitate this time.
"No."
Marco laughed softly.
"Good."
But the situation was far from over.
Ares walked toward the window overlooking the dark lake.
Leon had planted spies inside the empire.
One had already died.
Another had impersonated Elara.
Which meant something far worse.
Leon had people watching them closely enough to copy her identity perfectly.
Marco spoke quietly.
"Leon's network is bigger than we thought."
Ares nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Elara stepped beside him.
"Then we stop reacting."
Ares looked at her.
"What do you suggest?"
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"We attack first."
Marco raised a brow.
"Now that sounds like the Elara I know."
Ares considered it.
Leon had been playing mind games.
Testing loyalty.
Creating cracks.
But what Leon didn't understand was this—
Ares didn't crumble under pressure.
He adapted.
And when he adapted…
People lost.
Ares turned toward Marco.
"Prepare the team."
Marco smiled.
"Finally."
Ares looked back toward the dark horizon beyond the lake.
"Leon wants a war."
Elara crossed her arms.
"He just started one."
Ares' voice dropped slightly.
"Then we finish it."
But far away—
Inside a hidden room filled with glowing monitors—
Leon Voss watched the estate cameras quietly.
The confrontation had gone differently than he expected.
But that didn't bother him.
His plan had never relied on one trick.
He leaned back in his chair.
"Interesting…"
One of his men looked confused.
"What is?"
Leon smiled slowly.
"Ares didn't break."
The man frowned.
"Isn't that a problem?"
Leon shook his head.
"No."
His eyes gleamed with dark amusement.
"That just means the next move will hurt more."
He tapped one key on the keyboard.
A new file opened on the screen.
A photograph appeared.
Not of Elara.
Not of the estate.
But of someone else.
Someone very close to Ares.
Leon whispered quietly.
"Let's see how strong you really are… Valentino."