Within a week the plan to secretly catch Liam out was complete.

It had practically been a blur; full of emails, phone calls and tiring conversations which either involved so much convincing you might as well have been begging on your knees, or ended up just going around in circles until someone pulled through with a bright idea.

Of course you'd had to start with the most integral part - actually organising a meeting with Liam and making it seem as though you were on the utter defence, rather than the concealed attack position you'd all taken up.

It had taken a day or so to actually get through to him; Phoebe had to endure many petty, frustrating phone calls which usually left her increasingly irritated the longer she was put on hold or palmed off with some see-through excuse.

But eventually when Phoebe had accidentally dropped your name to whoever she'd been on the phone too, it had turned out to be the key to getting what you'd wanted. Initially you'd decided to keep your name out of it, and just act as though someone else was going, but then have the element of surprise by catching Liam off guard when you turned up instead. But when it appeared that mentioning you was the key to getting directly to Liam, everyone agreed it had been a beneficial mistake.

Knowing you had that much of an influence over Liam's cooperation made a small amount of nausea roil in your stomach. Just how much did his so called feelings for you consume him?

But you'd shaken the thought off, focusing on the situation at hand and reminding yourself that once you got through all of this, you'd never have to deal with Liam again.

And you had to admit, that was turning into a very nice thought.

What was also making you very happy, was seeing Harry finally have a spring back in his step.

After your little surprise in his office the night after Zayn's reveal, it had taken you much longer to actually leave the office than you'd expected.

Since most of your get up had been left on during the first round of intense fucking, Harry found an excuse to peel off each article between different types of sexual acts. Every time you'd attempted to re-dress, his darkened, wonton gaze made your stomach drop in the best way and stopped you straight in your tracks.

By the time the two of you actually left the building and got in the chauffeur driven car to drive back to Harry's apartment, you'd been half asleep with how spent you were feeling, but was still unable to keep the sated, sleepy smile from your face at the pleasant ache between your thighs.

Harry, noticing how tired you were in the lift, had swept you up in his arms bridal style when the doors had slid open onto his floor. You'd snuggled into his chest and breathed in his musky, slightly sex-infused scent and the last thing you'd remembered was being tucked into his bed, dressed in one of Harry's over-sized t-shirts.

It had been one of the best night sleeps of your life that was for sure.

But regardless of the mind-blowing sex, ever since that day Harry finally had that swagger and confidence back that'd you'd missed seeing around the office. It truly was such a relief, and you hadn't realised how much the lack of his usual spritely aura had been playing on your conscious.

Even though the week-long planning meant there was only just under two weeks until the official date of the court case, Harry still remained calm and collected and it truly was a testament to how resilient he was.

Half way during the week, the small group that had now grown to include Niall and Phoebe along with you, Harry and Zayn, decided it might be a good idea to include Victoria, Harry's lawyer into the plan.

You'd all realised that to make sure this plan was foolproof, but also legal, you might need a helping hand. Of course, everyone wanted to drag Liam down in whichever way (Niall was still adamant he should just go and beat the truth out of Liam), Zayn had very rightly pointed out that this couldn't open up any opportunities for Liam's legal team to flip it back onto you all and make the situation worse than it already was.

So she had been called in later that day, with Harry reassuring you all that she could be trusted, and would keep an open mind, unlike Jeffrey, who had been left out of the inner circle that was slowly forming.

That had been one of the first things you and Harry had decided. After the heated discussion not too long ago where Jeffrey had made his position very clear on your idea, you'd both decided that for now, while things were still being put together, he could be told at a later point.

Besides, in some ways the less people who knew about this the better, as all it would take was one slip of the tongue to the wrong person and all the details could be let out, ruining everything you'd worked for.

But telling Victoria paid off entirely, as she ended up being much easier to convince and get on board than you'd anticipated. You could tell she wasn't entirely believing that anything would come from going to see Liam, but she was still happy to finalise any details that might have been a bit questionable if something were to go wrong.

She'd even had her close associate, Jonah, who'd had some experience with interrogation, prep you with some perfectly worded questions that would throw Liam completely off the scent.

And so all of this hard work had brought you to now, stood in Harry's office, your white silk shirt halfway unbuttoned as Victoria attached a wire topped with a minuscule microphone to your skin.

"Does that feel okay?" Victoria asks you as she attaches the last piece of tape, pressing it down with a firm touch to make sure it won't come away from your skin.

You nod, meeting her unyielding gaze and hoping your determination is clear in your own eyes, even if a bud of nerves are starting to unfurl in your stomach.

Harry looks on, hand cupping his chin, his eyebrows furrowed over his eyes. He's clearly trying to stay calm, even though from the way he's unable to stay still you can tell he's stressing a bit now that the past weeks hard work has come to fruition.

"Alright then. Just remember to try and stay quite still, as even though the wire will pick up his words clearly, sometimes the rustling can cause some feedback," Victoria explains.

You nod again, buttoning up your shirt and pulling tight on your sleek ponytail before making your way over to Harry.

His eyes follow you intently the whole time as Victoria slips away to converse with Zayn, Phoebe and Jonah who are all stood on the other side of Harry's office.

"Well you certainly look the part," Harry muses, a glint of amusement back in his eyes as his hands skim over your hips, clad in a pair of dark green suit pants.

You can't help but smirk in agreement. Slipping on what had to be one of your most girl-boss outfits to date had certainly helped get your mind into a place of getting shit done. Not to mention your highest, shiniest black heels to give that satisfying tap to seal the deal.

"Thanks H, if I'm going to be saving your ass gotta do it looking good," you tease, slipping your arms around his neck.

He breathes a laugh out of his nose, giving you that infamous half grin. But it fades quicker than you'd hoped and is replaced by worry shining in his eyes, "You know you don't have to do this," He reminds you quietly.

You sigh softly, knowing all too well Harry would still caution against going, as much as he had come round to it all, "I know baby, but I want too."

And that was all you had to say to get a flicker of understanding to cross his face, because you know thats exactly what he would've said if the roles were reversed.

Harry pulls you into his body in answer, squeezing you close and breathing in your scent. He knows he has absolutely nothing to worry about, now with the additional help from so many people Harry feels more secure in the plan than ever, but his nerves only come from how much he loves and adores you. And who can blame him - his badass, beautiful girl.

"'M so proud of you Cecelia," he murmurs into your ear, "Thank you."

The emotion thickening his quiet voice made your heart stutter, and you can tell the look on his face even though you can't see it, as it must be the exact same expression he wore as you handed him a piece of cake at his birthday so long ago.

You pull back to look into his gorgeous face, "No thanks needed, I love you," is all you say in a simple explanation, only just managing to keep it together as you scan the expression you knew would be present, and now reflected on your own.

Harry brushes a quick kiss against your lips, aware of the other people in the room before replying, "I love you. Now stop making me all soppy and go save my ass."

You giggle at his use of your words from a moment ago, unable to resist pressing one more kiss to his rosy lips, "Knew I was right in saying I'm the best assistant you've ever had."

Harry chucked at that, as the flash of recognition passed over his face at the mention of the small note in his birthday present a year ago. Something else crossed over his gaze too, almost as though an idea was developing in his mind, but it was gone before you could think twice, "Well considering you're the first to give me a blow -"

"And now you can stop right there!" You place a hand over his mouth, swiftly cutting off the rest of his sentence as he chortles against your palm.

You can't help the laugh escaping your own lips though, feeling much more relaxed than you had a few minutes ago.

"Right c'mon, let's get this going," Harry begins, raising his voice a little to grab the attention of the other four individuals across the room, "It's time to give this dickhead a taste of his own medicine."

◇

You fiddle with the hem of your long black coat as the sleek black town car travels through the New York streets.

The slight, yet insistent, tapping of your foot on the car floor doesn't go unnoticed by Jonah, sat next to you in the backseat, "It'll be okay you know."

Pausing your foot with a sheepish expression, you turn your head to smile at Jonah. Having only known him for around a week, you already really respected the man a lot. He held himself in a quiet, yet extremely knowledgable way, usually staying fairly silent, but always providing jewels of wisdom or advice at the perfect time, just as he had now, "Thanks Jonah, think it's just strange to finally be doing this you know?"

He nods in understanding, his black hair flopping forward slightly, "Makes sense, just remember what me and Vic have told you: keep the questions natural, but don't be scared to lay on a particular emotion if it's needed. Sounds like Liam could be easily swayed by whatever you show him."

Another observant pearl of knowledge he had managed to pick up on, "Yeah absolutely. Thank you."

Jonah replies with a small smile and a polite dip of his head before turning to look between the front seats and through the windscreen to the upcoming, familiar building, "Okay we're here. Ready?"

His brown eyes portray nothing but confidence, and you take a deep breath before nodding firmly, "Let's go cause some shit."

A rare show of amusement flashes across his face before he gracefully steps out of the car and walks around it to open your door for you.

Sliding out of the car smoothly, the brush of cold February air cools the slightly clammy feeling settling on the back of your neck. Looking up to the top of the skyscraper, you square your shoulders and set your chin with a sway of your hair.

Looking to Jonah one more time, he offers you a small smile that only says one thing: you've got this.

You nod once and then begin in make your way, alone, towards the big revolving doors of Liam's building.

Everything goes absolutely to plan as you carry on travelling through the building, up the elevator until you're waiting in a small foyer on Liams floor. Your foot stays still though as you wait on a plush leather sofa with your legs crossed.

You'd expected to feel massively nervous and anxious, too overly aware of the wire attached to your skin to come across as innocent but sat here now, there's nothing flowing through you other than sheer determination and anger. Even the foyer was pissing you off.

But you simmer those feelings down, all too aware of the impact they could have on the conversation that was edging closer and closer as the seconds ticked by. You needed to be neutral, naive even, to play the part that would convince Liam you were just a timid cat, when in reality you were a tiger readying to strike.

"Mr Payne is ready to see you now."

The sour-faced receptionist was stood before you, indicating with a hand the direction of Liam's office. You stood gracefully, thanking her quietly before striding across the foyer and heading for the frosted glass door.

Taking one final deep breath before rapping thrice on the door, you wait as a shuffling was heard from inside the office, a handful of steps and then the door was being swung open to reveal Liam.

The rush of fury that sped through you at seeing Liam again for the first time since New Years made you blink in surprise, but you recovered swiftly, plastering a polite smile on your face.

"Hi Cecy," Liam greeted you. The hint of insecurity that wavered through his voice almost made a wicked grin spread across your face, but you let none of your true feelings show, "Please come in."

You nodded once as he held the door open and moved into the spacious office. It didn't have the same impressive floor to ceiling windows that Harry's office had, but the view was still spectacular nonetheless. Liam's office was much more cool, dark tones and modern surfaces, which in some ways, reflected the way he approached business - cold and calculating.

After your quick sweep of the room, you place your bag down and remove your coat and lay it down on the black leather sofa before taking a seat next to the item of clothing. Swinging one leg over the other you smoothed your ponytail down once more before facing Liam, who was now sat in the chair behind his desk, watching you almost cautiously.

You met his gaze, keeping your chin high as you cleared your throat, "Thank you for meeting me today."

Liam rested his head on a fisted hand as he swallowed, "It's no bother. I assumed someone may come and see me at some point, though I have to admit I didn't think it would be you."

So he was expecting some form of retaliation, but not from yourself. You couldn't stop the small narrowing of your eyes as he admitted that, giving away one thing instantly: he didn't want it to be you as he knew you saw through all his bullshit.

Coward, you thought, he wanted someone else to come so he could continue to manipulate them.

"Well we've been a bit busy as you can imagine," you let your tone imply who was obviously the one to blame for that more than your words did. The slightly wobble towards the end of your sentence worked perfectly too; Liam furrowed his brow as he began to buy into your upset facade.

"I think everyone has certainly had a lot on their plates recently, yes," he moved to rub at his cheekbone as though remembering a certain curly-headed mans fist that had hit the exact same spot not that long ago.

There was a pregnant pause in which Liam adverted his eyes briefly from yours before speaking, "So why exactly are you here? I'm guessing it's about the legal side of things, and explaining the court case."

You rolled your eyes internally; of course he would think you needed all of this explained to you. But you schooled your features into one of a distressed damsel, more than ready to play up to Liam's sensitive side you knew was still down there, "No, I just...I wanted to come here today, friend to friend..."

Letting the sentence trail off you watched Liam carefully as his face softened instantly, relief lighting in his brown eyes. He was clearly unsure about where you both stood after New Years, and now he'd clearly been tricked into thinking it was as though nothing had happened, when in reality, you'd never forgive him for the way he touched and spoke to you that night, let alone what he then proceeded to do to Harry.

"Of course Cecy, you always have a friend in me," he reassured you gently, and you had to calm the excited beating of your heart because this was going just the way you'd hoped.

You nod gratefully, "I really wanted to have a chat with you, no documents, no business, but just an open talk so I can try to understand why..." a sniffle, "why you did this to me?"

The words felt sour coming from your mouth even as your lip wobbled convincingly, because of course this was all about what he'd done to Harry, but if you played it from that angle, you knew you wouldn't get anywhere.

But it was worth it, because you words and tone had the exact desired effect. Liam gulped again, wide brown eyes back to that soft puppy-look he used to always have as it began to dawn on him just how much he'd effected the girl he supposedly cared so much about.

"Cecy...you have to understand, this is just business it's not personal -"

"But it is Liam!" You let your voice rise slightly, edged with a hint of desperation, "You've hurt me by doing this...I just can't even understand where it came from, we both know what happened on New Years."

You let the vague implication hang between you both. Hopefully he took what you were saying as the events that unfolded between him and Harry, and the reason behind it that didn't make the final cut of the video.

Liam looked pained as he considered your words, "I never meant to hurt you, now or on that night, you know I'd never do that to you."

"Then why have you sued my company and my boss for a false claim?" You sounded near-hysterical now but you're still careful with your wording, choosing to avoid the word boyfriend as though not to rile Liam up. Taking a deep, composing breath you speak again in a steadier voice, "I just want to understand how that video led to all of this when I thought everything was fine?"

Liam had the good sense to stay quiet as you spoke, and you could see his answer formulating behind his eyes as he thought it through, "I know that it might've seemed like the truth wasn't shown but it was. Harry had no reason to come at me like that, and if that's what I chose to show then nothing can be changed."

You prayed that the anger that flashed through you didn't show on your face. How dare he try and convince you that what you saw with your own two eyes - what you experienced - hadn't happened just because it wasn't in the video? In some was though, it was almost comical that he believed he'd get away with not providing the context of the video and now here you were to shove that right back in his face.

But you knew that this is the perfect opening for you, even if the words you know you've got to say make you feel sick to your stomach, "He was just looking out for me, he gets a bit over-protective sometimes. But that still doesn't explain how this has all grown into something more than it should've?"

Your tone is quiet and sad, but with that hint of grovelling that you know Liam will eat up. And it does the trick; a small quirk of Liams lips is all you need to tell you that he believes you've come to apologise to some degree on Harry's behalf.

"I'm glad you're aware of his behaviour, I did warn you that night," Liam starts, "But you're also right - I know it doesn't make sense how it all came about, but when you have allies in places, allies who support what you're trying to do in this line of business, it becomes that little bit easier."

The moment he begins to talk about allies you know he's talking about Zayn. You have to control the wild leaping in your stomach because if you can just get him to say Zayn's name then you can be out of here in a matter of minutes.

"Oh I see," you play the naive card easily, acting as though you're genuinely interested and borderline impressed, "I hadn't realised you'd built up so many contacts so quickly."

That small flick of a smile from a moment ago grows now at your words, "What can I say?" Liam asks confidently, and you want to smack that smug look off his face, "But this is why it is just about the business Cecy. When people like Styles mess around with up-and-coming artists like Zayn, how can I not play on that weakness to help my own company grow?"

The small stutter of your breath as he says the name you'd been waiting for goes unnoticed by Liam. Bracing yourself for another set of words you completely disagree with, you reply, "I suppose you've got a point, it is such a competitive industry right now, and maybe Zayn was more hurt by what happened than we realised."

"Oh for sure, when I convinced him help with this whole video I knew the hatred ran deeper than even I'd realised," Liam jumps on the bait instantly, "Having money and opportunities is attractive to young artists like him, and when you have both in plenty like I do, things become a lot simpler and easier to control."

Liam's words render you speechless for a minute. He truly had let his quick rise in power and status to go straight to his head, considering it only took you the smallest amount of buttering up to get him to start boasting.

Quickly thinking of a reply before it looks too suspicious, you can't help but play with him a little by offering him a soft smile, "Sounds like you've really made a remarkable name for yourself then Liam."

"Thank you Cecy, I'd like to think so," he laces his fingers together in front of him on the desk and leans forward slightly, "but um...I am honestly sorry for hurting you with this. I hope that now we've spoken it makes more sense and we can get through this court case with no problems."

You widen the smile on your face, "Of course. I really do appreciate everything you've told me today. It's going to make this whole process a lot easier as you said."

Liam grins at you now, and he just starts to open his mouth when your phone chimes. Your heart rate rises a bit as you weren't planning on getting any messages during this meeting, but muttering a quiet 'excuse me' you take a glance and see its a text from Victoria.

We've got everything we need. V

Your eyes widen a fraction and you don't try to control it as this gives you the perfect ploy to leave before Liam tries to take this any further, "Oh Liam, I'm so sorry but they need me back at the office. Another problem with one of the clients it seems."

You add that little extra bit of information to imply that Harry is really struggling with his job, when in reality it couldn't be more opposite. But it works a treat, as you spy a glimmer of satisfaction in Liam's brown eyes before he stands up.

"No trouble, I know how it gets," he offers you a knowing glance and you laugh politely in response, hoping that it doesn't seem as forced as it is, "Let me see you out."

You grab your coat and bag swiftly, a slight shake to your hands as the adrenaline from the whole encounter starts to wind away now that it's coming to an end. You reach the door which Liam had just opened for you and pause just outside the threshold of his office.

"Thanks again Liam, I can't tell you how much this has helped."

He smiles warmly at you and you fight the urge to laugh at how foolish he is, "Of course, anytime. See you soon."

You nod gracefully and shoot him one more board grin. But as soon as you turn your back, that grin morphs into one of utter success and cunning.

◇

Two days later on Friday you're sat in Harry's office again, biting at your fingernails in anticipation.

When you'd arrived back to the office after your meeting with Liam, you'd been met with so much relief and awe you'd nearly burst into tears at how well it had all gone.

Harry had been positively over the moon and so flawed by your performance. You'd apologised straight away for the words you'd spoken about him to Liam, and how sick to your stomach they'd made you feel, but he'd brushed it off instantly, knowing it was purely all an act, and a damn good one too.

Victoria had been slightly gobsmacked at how much information you'd managed to glean from your simple yet disarming questions. She had even said she might be able to not only disband Harry's case, but also flag up the potential illegitimate business methods Liam had implied he used.

Jonah had just winked at you, which had said all it had needed too; I told you you'd be fine. You'd smiled a bit smugly at that, before turning back to listen to what the next steps were.

You'd thought that as soon as the information had been achieved, it would be acted upon. But turns out Victoria had a whole other follow-up plan now that you'd actually proven and done what you'd set out to do.

To make sure Liam had no suspicions in any way of what you'd secretly been up too, you had to wait a few days before spilling anything to the press. Everything was going to be anonymous of course, with some clever editing to cut out your voice and all the irrelevant chit chat to just focus solely on the incriminating words.

Of course, Victoria had reminded you all that it didn't need to hit the press; the information would be more than enough to use in the court case, but Harry had quickly admitted that he wanted to do it this way, as that was what Liam had done to him. Sometimes there's nothing better than knowing you'll get that little bit of revenge-fuelled karma, and you knew Harry wanted Liam to know how it had felt.

It was incredibly clever really, how quickly and seamlessly Victoria had pulled it all together to make sure what was being sent off was completely irrefutable and didn't drop anyone in. You could tell she had clearly dealt with similar situation in terms of secret recordings, and that reassured you greatly, as you knew you were in trustworthy hands.

So this brought you up to now, sat in Harry's office surrounded by your close friends and colleagues, awaiting the moment for everything to fall into place.

You hadn't been involved with all the logistics behind the scenes when it came to leaking the information, as Victoria had assured you all she had contacts who knew how to handle media leaks like this one, which was more than enough reassurance for you.

She'd arrived today having previously told you all that today would be the day everything would go public and so you'd all been waiting anxiously all morning for her arrival.

From what you'd been told after she had arrived, the information you'd received from Liam had been perfect and would be released later today. However, she admitted that Zayn's phone call from New Years had taken a bit more working around, but it would still be released in due course.

Considering how Liam had so tactically worked the video of Harry punching him into the media, you'd wanted to do something similar, ultimately playing Liam at his own game. So to ensure this, Zayn would come forward himself with the phone call on Monday, partly to back Harry's case up, but also for his own sake to make sure the record was set after all the previous drama surrounding his name.

You were wrapped up in your thoughts about all of this, worries of it somehow going wrong clouding your brain as Harry stood next to your perch on the arm of his orange sofa, when Victoria spoke.

"Okay the tabloids have taken it, keep an eye on your phones," her voice was so relaxed and controlled but it did nothing to still your growing nerves.

Harry glanced down at you and you looked up to meet his gaze. Even though the set of his jaw spelled out the exact same nerves that you had, his eyes were full of nothing but love and security, and you knew at the end of the day, no matter the outcome of all of this, if you had each other then everything would always be okay.

Squeezing his hand tightly and offering him a soft, content smile, you were quickly pulled away from his pretty face by a loud exclaim from Niall.

"Oh fuck me!" He cried jubilantly staring at his phone, "H, we've done it mate!"

Everyone reacted instantly at those words, rapidly scanning their own phones for the headlines that were now practically pouring in.

Turns Out Payne Posted An Edited Video of New Years Punch Up - Styles Found Innocent

Claims Of A False Suing Arise After Liam Payne Admits To 'Allies' Who Helped Create A Fake Story

Where Does This Leave Bear Records Now? Will Styles Counter-sue After The Truth Comes To The Surface After That Famous New Years Bust Up?

Countless news sites had instantly taken the story exactly how you'd hoped. After scanning several of them, you'd been relieved to see no names had been exposed, and nothing about how the information had been sourced had made the articles either. Clearly it was just about enough to get the desired reaction.

And as everyone also began to realise the same thing the cheers began to erupt.

Niall and Emmy came storming over to engulf Harry in a huge bear hug, Phoebe kissed your cheek and whispered quietly, "You did it Ceece," upon seeing your still stunned expression.

Zayn had just sunk into his seat, a huge grin forming on his face at knowing through Harry's jurisdiction, he had also been allowed free from Liam's manipulative grasp.

But the real best part, was when you turned to Harry and saw his own cheek-splitting grin and it finally sunk in.

You'd done it.

YESSSSSS

I love writing badass Cecy hahahaha

hope you enjoyed this chapter!! it was fun to write some more serious, dramatic stuff other than just the romance so I hope I did a good job at it and you guys liked it!!

what did you think of the plan - was it what you were expecting??

don't worry if you've still got some questions etc. as the next chapter will pick up pretty much straight away from this one and will tie any loose strings together and I'm already really looking forward to writing it up, as I have a feeling you're not going to expect what's going to happen...

anyway, thank you so much for always showing this book so much love, it truly does mean so much! just a quick reminder to VOTE as this is such a quick, easy and good way to motive us writers :))

hope you're all doing well, my love always,

kait x

{just wanted to say - I know the whole wire situation probably isn't as real-life as it could've been, but considering this is a romance fanfic (not a spy/police one) I wrote it more for a drama perspective than an accurate one. Of course, I've tried to keep it as authentic and legal as possible (hence the help from the lawyers etc.) but if you're en expert in something like this then don't pick it apart too much lmao. also just a reminder that all the characters have no affiliation to the real person and their actions in my story in no way reflect their true, real life selves.}