Blood Debts (GinJay)

Chapter 20 - Miu Plays Both Sides

Ginny didn't see Miu coming. Not really. The text pinged first—urgent, cryptic.

Miu: Meet me. Now. I have leverage you'll want to see.

By the time Ginny arrived at the dimly lit café, Miu was already there, leaning against the counter like she owned the space. Her eyes, bright and calculating, flicked up as Ginny approached.

"You're late," Miu said, voice casual, but every syllable carried the weight of threat and promise.

"Wouldn't want to look too eager," Ginny replied, sliding into the seat across from her.

Miu smirked. "Cute. But you're not here for jokes. I've got something that will tip the balance against Veronica."

Ginny's eyebrows rose. "Go on."

Miu tapped the tablet in front of her. "Emails, financial records, internal communications. Enough to bury her reputation, enough to expose her manipulations, and enough to make anyone associated with her reconsider even breathing in the same room."

Ginny leaned in, pulse quickening. "And the catch?"

Miu's smile widened, slow and deliberate. "There's always a price. To use this, you burn every bridge you've left. Allies, contacts, reputations—you'll be untouchable to some, unforgivable to others. But if you want her gone, if you want Jayna safe..."

Ginny's jaw tightened. "And you know how to make that happen without leaving fingerprints?"

Miu nodded. "I wouldn't be here otherwise."

Ginny exhaled, fingers tapping on the edge of the table. "I accept. Without hesitation."

Miu's eyes flicked to her phone. "Good. Because hesitation invites disaster. And you've already flirted enough with it."

Ginny leaned back, expression cold. "I'm not here to flirt. I'm here to finish this."

Miu nodded approvingly. "Smart. But there's something else you need to know. Veronica has started a counter-countermove. She's predicting your actions before you take them. She'll try to manipulate Jayna again."

Ginny's chest tightened. "Then we move faster. We hit harder."

Miu's smirk softened just slightly. "Exactly. But once you use this, you can't go back. Not to work as usual, not to the newsroom, not to anyone who matters. Every move leaves a mark. Permanently."

Ginny's voice was quiet, but resolute. "Then let it leave a mark. Better that than Jayna getting hurt again."

Miu's gaze lingered on her. "You really would do anything for her, huh?"

Ginny didn't answer. She didn't need to. The weight of her decision, the fire it would ignite, and the protection it offered Jayna spoke louder than words.

Miu tapped a few keys on the tablet. "Done. Emails are queued. Records are verified. Everything will hit simultaneously. By the time she reacts, you and Jayna will be untouchable...if you survive the backlash."

Ginny stood, feeling the familiar rush of control mixed with adrenaline. "I will survive. Jayna will survive. That's all that matters."

Miu leaned back, satisfied. "Good. But remember this, Ginny. You asked for leverage. You got it. But leverage doesn't forgive. It doesn't heal. It only wins wars."

Ginny paused at the door, hand on the handle. "Then we'll finish the war first. After that...maybe we'll find a way to survive ourselves."

Miu's eyes followed her until the door closed. The café fell silent again, save for the hum of the city outside.

Ginny stepped out into the night, every decision from here on irreversible. Every bridge burned, every ally tested, every truth weaponized.

And for the first time in months, she felt the thrill of control—dangerous, intoxicating, and necessary.

Because sometimes, survival required choosing ruthlessness over morality, and Ginny had never been more ready to pay the price.