Chapter 180

Serena's POV

I spent a restless night in the holding cell. The hard cot and stark environment made sleep nearly impossible. I couldn't help but think about Ian Whitmore. Life had a way of being ironic - I never imagined I'd end up in the same situation he had been in not long ago.

After a night of clear thinking, my mind had finally settled. As I carefully pieced together the sequence of events, something clicked - this couldn't have been Rachel Thorne's work alone.

I analyzed it methodically: While Rachel might be capable of orchestrating external pressure, manipulating StarRiver Group's internal operations so quickly would have been nearly impossible... unless she had inside help. Nina may have left StarRiver, but she had worked there for years, intimately familiar with every employee's strengths and weaknesses. With her calculating nature, buying loyalty would have been child's play.

The answer was obvious - Rachel and Nina were working together. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend," I thought bitterly. Rachel certainly knew how to play people.

"Serena Sinclair," a guard's voice cut through my thoughts. "You have a visitor. Come with us, and no funny business."

My heart sank, wondering who it could be. Quinn, perhaps? Had there been a breakthrough in the case?

The moment I stepped into the visitation room and saw Nina standing there, my fists clenched involuntarily. I noticed Nina registering my reaction, and though she tried to hide it, I could sense the satisfaction radiating from her.

"Sis, how could you be so foolish?" she said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Tax evasion? Really? StarRiver Group always paid its taxes diligently when Dad was chairman. Even with the surge in profits since you took over, there was no reason to do something so... illegal."

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Drop the act, Nina. This has your fingerprints all over it. Save your crocodile tears for someone who might actually believe them."

"What are you talking about?" She immediately protested, eyes wide with practiced innocence. "How could I possibly do something like this? I don't have that kind of influence anymore."

I met her gaze steadily. "You're right - you don't have that kind of power. You just have an endless supply of schemes. The real power is coming from someone else, someone standing behind you."

Seeing her expression flicker, I knew I'd hit the mark. I continued, my voice low and warning: "Nina, let me give you some advice. There are certain people you shouldn't cross. They're far beyond your league."

"Hmph." She finally dropped her mask.

"Don't act so high and mighty, Serena," she sneered, malice gleaming in her eyes. "You're just jealous. Jealous that I've made powerful connections while you're rotting in here! And you have no one to blame but yourself - you just had to challenge the wrong people. I actually thought you were something special. I thought Lucas Harrington was so deeply in love with you that nothing could come between you. But look - you've been locked up for a day and a night, and where is he? When it comes down to business interests, how much do you really think you're worth to him?"

Nina's POV

I finally let my satisfaction bubble to the surface. Seeing Serena trapped here, I couldn't resist flaunting my victory.

"I should thank you, Serena," I said, unable to contain my excitement. "I was almost foolish enough to pursue Lucas back then. If I had succeeded, I'd be the one under attack now. So really, I owe you my gratitude." The words flowed freely now that I no longer had to maintain my facade.

But Serena's response cut like ice. "You didn't stay away from Lucas because you were smart. You stayed away because you never had a chance."

Her words stung like a slap. I felt heat rise to my cheeks, knowing she was right. Lucas Harrington had never even looked my way. The memory of his indifference only fueled my anger.

"So what?" I spat back. "Should a woman's life revolve around men? Unlike you, I've never taken men seriously. They're just stepping stones to me. You're the fool who keeps getting burned by trusting them. You deserve everything that's happening to you!" I poured all my venom into the words.

Her sudden silence told me I'd hit a nerve. Remembering Rachel's instructions, I switched to a gentler tone: "Look, Serena, we're still sisters. Let me give you some friendly advice - you can't count on Lucas anymore. You're smart enough to figure out who's really behind all this. Don't fight it. It'll only make things worse..."

Slience stretched between us. Her indifferent face irritated me. "I'm trying to help you, Serena. I did warn you. Who can you really depend on now?"

The metallic screech of the door interrupted my threat. I turned around and felt my blood run cold.

*Lucas Harrington. Here. How?*

Rachel had assured me he was overseas and wouldn't interfere! My heart hammered against my ribs. But what truly shocked me was seeing Rachel herself walking in behind him.

I stood frozen, trying to make sense of this betrayal. Why was Rachel with Lucas? Everyone seemed to look through me as if I were invisible.

The final blow came when Lucas walked straight to Serena and said simply, "The bail paperwork is done. You can leave now."

*What the f**k?* I couldn't believe my ears. I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms, jealousy burning through my veins. What made Serena so special that Lucas would go to such lengths for her? And why hadn't Rachel stopped this?

Fighting for composure, I forced a concerned smile. "That's wonderful, Sis! You can finally leave this awful place. The conditions in here must have been terrible..."

But Serena didn't even spare me a glance as she stood and walked toward Lucas. I felt an overwhelming wave of humiliated and fury, especially with Rachel and Lucas there. I was silently cursing Serena the whole time.

Watching them leave together, with Rachel following, I felt an overwhelming wave of defeat and fury. The morning sun streaming through the barred windows seemed to mock me, illuminating my complete failure.

I remained standing in the visitation room long after they'd gone. The victory I'd been savoring just minutes ago had turned to ashes in my mouth. The scene burned itself into my memory, along with the bitter realization that I'd been nothing but a pawn in someone else's game. Had I lost this round so completely?