Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 69: The Trap

Chapter 69: The Trap

Christina slipped quietly through the executive floor corridor, keeping a careful distance from Marcus. She’d been tracking his movements all morning, noting the unusual pattern to his security rounds. Isabella’s plan to plant false information was in motion, and Christina needed to confirm who Marcus was working with before the trap snapped shut.

Isabella had designed the trap meticulously. Three versions of confidential information about the Singapore acquisition had been strategically distributed—each with subtle differences in valuation figures, timeline, and key players. One version went to the board members, another to her executive team, and a third to her legal department. Digital tripwires were embedded in each document, set to alert Isabella the moment any version was accessed or transmitted externally.

"Now we wait," Isabella had told Christina earlier that morning. "Whoever accesses and transmits this information will reveal themselves."

Christina’s job was to monitor Marcus while Isabella watched the digital breadcrumbs. When Marcus ducked into an empty conference room, Christina positioned herself near the adjacent utility closet, close enough to hear if he made any calls. The door remained slightly ajar, providing just enough space for sound to carry.

"It’s me," Marcus’s voice was low but clear enough for Christina to detect. She removed her phone from her pocket and activated the recording app, sliding closer to the crack in the door.

"No, nothing yet on the Singapore deal... Yes, I’m watching for it." A pause. "She’s occupied with the board call until eleven. This is your chance."

Christina’s pulse quickened. Here was the confirmation she needed—Marcus was actively working against Isabella. But the identity of the person on the other end remained unclear. Davies seemed the obvious answer, but something in her gut told her there might be more to this conspiracy.

"I’ll handle security on this floor. Just get what you need and get out." Another pause. "If anyone questions you, use the maintenance cover we established. I’ve cleared the logs."

Christina edged slightly closer, straining to hear more details. The movement caused the floor to creak beneath her feet.

Inside the room, Marcus went silent. "Someone’s here. I’ll call back."

Christina quickly retreated, sliding her phone back into her pocket. She made it halfway down the hallway when she heard the conference room door open. She maintained a casual pace, as if simply going about her security duties.

"Christina," Marcus called out, his voice deceptively friendly. "Just the person I was looking for."

She turned, keeping her expression neutral. "Need something, Marcus?"

"Actually, yes." He approached, smiling in a way that didn’t reach his eyes. "There’s been some unusual activity in the server room. Since you handle digital security, I thought you should take a look."

It was an obvious ploy to isolate her, but refusing would reveal her suspicions. "Lead the way," she said, falling into step beside him.

What neither of them realized was that Liam had been observing from the far end of the hallway. After his conversation with Christina the previous day, he’d decided to keep a closer watch on both her and Marcus. When he saw them heading toward the service elevator, he followed at a discreet distance.

In the basement corridor, Marcus guided Christina toward the server room, but veered suddenly into a rarely-used storage area. "Actually, let’s talk in here first."

Christina hesitated at the threshold. "What about the server issue?"

"There isn’t one." Marcus’s demeanor changed instantly, all pretense of collegiality vanishing. "What were you doing outside that conference room, Christina?"

"My job. Routine security sweep." She maintained her composure, though adrenaline had begun to flood her system. She casually assessed the space—concrete walls, one exit blocked by Marcus, minimal cover from the scattered storage crates.

"You were listening to my conversation." His eyes narrowed. "How much did you hear?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about." Christina took a step backward, maintaining space between them.

"I think you do." Marcus closed the door behind him with an ominous click. "I also think you’ve been going through the security logs. Finding things you shouldn’t."

Christina’s hand moved subtly toward her pocket where her phone was still recording. "If you have security concerns, we should discuss them with Isabella."

"Isabella," Marcus scoffed. "She’s so convinced of her own importance that she can’t see what’s happening right under her nose."

"And what exactly is happening?" Christina kept him talking, buying time to assess her options for escape.

"Power shifting. Alliances changing." Marcus stepped closer. "Smart people are choosing the right side."

"Davies’ side?" she probed.

Marcus laughed coldly. "Davies is just another player who thinks he’s a king." His gaze hardened. "Show me your phone."

Christina tensed. "Why?"

"Because I saw you recording. Hand it over."

"You’re mistaken." She stood her ground, though the small space left few options for maneuvering.

Marcus moved with unexpected speed, lunging forward to grab her wrist. Christina countered, twisting away from his grip and driving her elbow toward his solar plexus. The blow connected, but with less force than intended. Marcus barely flinched before retaliating with a swift strike to her ribs.

Pain exploded along her side as she staggered backward. Christina had trained in defensive techniques, but Marcus clearly had more extensive combat experience. She feinted left before attempting to dart past him to the door, but he anticipated the move, catching her arm and using her momentum to slam her against the concrete wall.

"Who have you told?" he demanded, his forearm pressing against her throat.

Christina clawed at his arm, struggling to breathe. "Everyone," she gasped. "Isabella knows everything."

"Liar." He increased the pressure. "If Isabella knew, I’d already be gone. You’ve been investigating on your own, haven’t you? Playing detective?"

Christina drove her knee upward, connecting solidly with his groin. Marcus doubled over with a grunt of pain, releasing his hold enough for her to break free. She made it two steps before his hand caught her ankle, sending her crashing to the floor.

Her head struck the edge of a metal storage shelf, momentarily disorienting her. Before she could recover, Marcus was on her, pinning her down, his weight crushing the air from her lungs.

"The phone," he growled, roughly searching her pockets until he found it. He checked the screen, seeing the active recording, and his expression darkened further. "How convenient. Evidence." He slammed the phone against the concrete floor, cracking the screen before stomping on it.

Christina used the momentary distraction to strike at his face, her nails leaving bloody tracks across his cheek. With a snarl of rage, Marcus struck her hard enough to snap her head to the side. Stars exploded across her vision as pain radiated from her cheekbone.

"You should have minded your own business," he hissed, landing another punishing blow to her already injured ribs.

Meanwhile, Liam had lost track of them after being intercepted by a facilities manager with an urgent question about executive floor access during the upcoming system upgrade. By the time he extricated himself from the conversation, Christina and Marcus had disappeared from the main corridor.

Liam moved quickly through the basement level, checking each room. When he heard the sounds of struggle coming from the storage area, he broke into a run. He tried the door and found it locked.

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