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!
The news of Venom's death had spread like wildfire that even her detective boyfriend didn't mind talking to her about it, without knowing she was his daughter.Cat was in Pascal's apartment again, after sex. She was curler up in his arms and he was really beginning to feel like a safe place. She'd come to him after her father's death to make him a sane ground for her.She was sure that she was losing her mind slowly, ever since Lydia messed with her head. Cat couldn't trust herself with weapons because she kept thinking, What if that wasn't all that Lydia had inputted in her subconscious mind?Anything could go wrong. The anger she felt was overwhelming, and Cat went around with the heavy feeling in her chest. It felt like the weight of the whole world was resting on her shoulders.After all that happened, she couldn't forgive herself for being so weak. So she vowed to be as strong as strong goes, not giving her adversaries a chance to get to her ever again."You've been so quiet," Pa
In the dimly lit, uncompleted building, shadows danced ominously as Lydia, shrouded in mystery, stood at the center. The cold, unforgiving wind whistled through broken windows, creating an eerie atmosphere. She had come back to the building because she knew Oliver wouldn't bother to check. Where better to hide than in plain sight?Before her, a small group of seasoned assassins, each with their own lethal reputation, had gathered, their faces partially concealed beneath dark hoods. She was going to take the game up a notch. With an air of confidence, Lydia stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with determination. She produced a small, worn photograph from her cloak, revealing the face of her feared adversary, Oliver Lionheart himself, the man who had sent shivers down the spines of many."This is your target," she declared, her voice a low, commanding whisper. "He is powerful, but we are stronger. He has instilled fear in this city for far too long, and it's time to end his reign."A