CHAPTER NINETY ONE – STRANGER THAN FICTION

This snake had made her final, fatal miscalculation in daring to violate their inner sanctum. Retribution was now inevitable. Letting out a slow, steadying breath, Kayla started after Barbara's retreating figure. They had work to do. The next few days passed in a swirl of hushed strategy sessions, tense exchanges of information, and an almost palpable sense of the Storms closing ranks. Kayla barely slept, her waking hours consumed by chasing down every last shred of intel on their adversary's true identity and agenda. What she ultimately uncovered only stoked the fires of cold fury burning in her belly. "Let me get this straight..." Lance pinched the bridge of his nose as the revelations washed over him. "This entire con, this...this grandiose fiction about being my heretofore unknown sister..." He looked up, eyes blazing. "It was all an elaborate corporate espionage gambit? Orchestrated by one of our bitterest business rivals to try infiltrating us from within?" Kayla nodded gri