"Stop here. I'd grab a cup of coffee before heading to the apartment. You can do that much, right?" She asked, and the driver nodded, locking eyes with her from the rearview mirror."Yes, ma'am."Cat was back in town again, and not much had changed. She stepped foot onto the pavement and walked into the restaurant, waving to the driver who'd picked her up from the airport.She had to blend in and be as inconspicuous as possible, hence her dyed hair. Cat knew she couldn't be recognized, especially after the whole world thought she'd died. Thanks to her father's genius plan. Stepping into the restaurant, she headed straight to the counter and placed her order.Being in the open without protection wasn't a luxury she'd enjoyed in a while. If she succeeded in this mission, then maybe others would get easier. She couldn't help the smile that crawled up her lips as she took her cup of coffee. "You look like a movie star!" The young girl behind the counter complimented as Cat walked out the
"He frequents this bar. Most of his meetings are held in the VIP sessions here. I know he wouldn't be at the office since he thinks it has been compromised. You understand what to do, right?" Lydia asked the man who stood blankly next to her.She'd been told that he was fit for the job, but frankly, he didn't look like it. He was skinny and sickly, not to mention, he wouldn't let go of the bottle of whiskey in his hands and the cigarettes held between his lips.They were both standing outside the bar. "Yes, I understand." His response was slow and unconvincing, setting Lydia on the edge. She'd given him the advance, and all that was left was for him to get working."You'd get the rest of the pay when you're done," Age rolled her eyes. "Ditch the fucking whiskey. It's not like you have a condition where whiskey is all you need to survive.""This?" He lifted the bottle. "This is none of your business, Lady. Now, excuse me, let me do my job." The man brushed past her. "He's here already
The very next morning, Oliver headed to the office as early as possible. He needed to get to the root of what happened before the video hit the public. The client he was also supposed to meet yesterday had rescheduled for this morning, which gave him limited time to get everything sorted out.Marv walked in and approached Oliver, handing him his phone with a photo of a young man, "This is him," Marv said to Oliver. "I've checked, and he's the perfect fit for the job. I just suggest you speak to him yourself."Oliver took the phone and scanned the picture. The hacker looked like he was in his mid-twenties, but that didn't matter, as long as he could track the video so, whoever was threatening him would be apprehended.He tapped the phone aggressively, feeling the anger wash over him again. "How fast can we get him here? No, no-" he corrected. "The house. I don't want him inside the company yet.""Due to security issues, it'd take him about three hours to get to your house.""Three hour
Lydia's mansion.Her room was dimly lit and quiet, almost void of life except for her. Even Lydia couldn't tell if her presence counted her as a person. She'd lost everything iota of humanity since the death of her husband and was blinded by the need to avenge him.Oliver Lionheart. The name seemed to ceaselessly ring in her head, haunting her at the back of her mind. He was the biggest threat yet. Even Viktor Grey had nothing on her. She'd shut him up like a child the moment he moved a muscle.He'd been quiet since the last time they met, just as she wanted it. Oliver was different from Viktor, really different. He was meticulous and calculating, so she tried to always stay one step ahead of him, just like today.Lydia waited for the right time to put the call through to him. It was late already, and she'd had Oliver's hacker killed. There was no way he could track the call. It was no easy task, but her men got it done. Hopefully, that proved a point to him that she's not to be trifl
"Just a little more," Cat said to Antonio, who was in the driver's seat. "Men like him stick to routines. He'd be here. I know it."This mission was a game and it was more fun than she'd expected. Cat was on a stakeout for Pascal. She'd recognized his pattern of visiting the same coffee shop every evening, the exact same time she'd bumped into him.Her plan was to run into him again, a well-defined coincidence. As long as she could talk to him once more, Cat was sure she could get information out of him, no matter what it took. Not to mention, Pascal was a handsome lad himself, what's wrong with a little fun?"Sighted, your two o'clock," Antonio declared, and Cat looked in the direction. Viola, Pascal walked into the coffee shop, just as she'd predicted."If only this prediction would work on the lottery," She grinned as she stepped out of the car and walked into the coffee shop. "Game on."Pascal didn't notice her presence at first, but when he did, he smiled too fast— on impulse. Ca
"Clark canceled the deal," Marv relayed to Oliver. "The email came in a while ago from his secretary. He says it's too risky to venture into."Oliver remained silent, simmering in his seat. He'd expected that much since the video hit the broadcast stations, and his men were doing everything they could to slow down the rate.Clark was one of those at the top, which made it easier for him to have access to things like that, along with several other business people. That deal was worth everything. He'd spent months making plans on it; getting to Clark at the beginning wasn't an easy featNow, all of that was gone because of a random deranged lady? Oliver felt bile rise in his throat as he tried to contain his anger. "Fuck this!" He yelled out loud, kicking the table before him. Marv jolted.Lydia was becoming more than a pain in the ass. She was a full-fledged discomfort, and living in the same town as her felt as though Oliver was walking on nails. "What do we do now, Boss?" Marv aske
Today was the third day of Cat touring the same environment that she'd earlier seen Lydia. She'd asked Antonio to stay back since he might draw attention, and Cat wanted it to be as unnoticeable as possible, especially because Lydia night had some men lingering around.After hours of relentless stakeout, Cat returned to her car for a lunch break, determined not to leave until she found Lydia or anything that linked to her. Asking Pascal wasn't an option because it'd be too specific and suspicious.Her phone vibrated, and she picked up. It was Antonio. "Any updates?" Cat asked as she brought the phone to her ears."No, ma'am," He responded. "I-""So why are you calling?" Cat never took her eyes off the road, her senses direction to every area within earshot."I wanted to know your location and if you need backup.""Well, I don't. Call me if you have any useful information.""But-"Cat disconnected. Her father's overprotectiveness wasn't going to ruin her mission. Cat knew she could han
Her father was buried today, and he died by her hands. Her facade had faltered, and Cat had turned into a crying mess, barely conscious of anything around her aside from the deep-seated hate harbored for Lydia and how she'd do anything to have her head.The funeral service was still ongoing, with so many of her father's acquaintances giving their condolences. All of these Cat would accept, except for the man who walked in with his daughter. Viktor Grey himself.Cat got up immediately and met them at the door. She didn't spare Elina a glance. All that rage and anger that blossomed in her veins was directed at Viktor. He was the one who pulled them into this mess anyway."Have you come to gloak!?" She asked, "I need you to get out of here!" Cat's voice came out shakier than she wanted it to. She couldn't shake off the heavy feeling in her chest as guilt ate away at her."No, what?" Viktor asked in disbelief. "Your father was-""Was…" Cat repeated as she tasted the word. "Was. Was. Was!