After Atticus had settled matters at Prudence Corp., he headed towards his black Jaguar and got in.
" Hope I didn't keep you waiting? ", Atticus smirked as he faced Leo who sat next to him.
" Maybe a little, but I can never get mad at you ", Leo said, his voice squeaky and playful. His expression suddenly took a 180° turn not resembling the playful man from earlier, " I've gotten a little Intel on what you asked me for earlier "
" Go on "
" I looked into it and noticed that when the Naoxing group attacked, they knew everyone one of our escape routes. It may not look like it on the surface but it looked like some of their men unconsciously stood in front of our secret exits ", Leo said.
" That's true, could there have been someone giving them Information on our base ", Atticus asked.
" That could be a possibility sir now let me explain to you the strange thing, how you were able to easily beat those men by hand, I'm not doubting your skills but this group isn't second best for nothing, it'd be easy to destroy their entire business network but not in hand to hand combat, so I looked into it and.... "
Atticus noticed his hesitation, " What ", he asked.
" They were given Ploxing sir ", Leo replied causing Atticus's brows to furrow and eyes narrowed. Ploxing was a kind of depressant that affects both the physical and mental state of the individual, weakening him in both aspects and causing him to behave irrationally. It's a good tool against your opponents.
" How is that possible?! We got the first and only batch ever made and it hasn't even arrived yet ", Atticus asked.
" I guess we were lied to ", Leo replied, " I located the source of the drugs. Thanks to you, we were able to infiltrate and get a lot of information from the banquet. Turns out your father and some other families were used to transport the drugs from an unknown source and was supplied to the Naoxing group and secretly distributed from within by an invader "
" Do you think? "
" Yes, this unknown source used us as a way to destroy the Naoxing group so that all the other mafia groups will have their focus on us "
" They're planning to ruin us before we even start ", Atticus realised but who could it be? Atticus had deliberately caused a ruckus at the Huttons banquet just to fish out those working with his father. He noticed that the Huttons have been into shady and secretive businesses lately so he flattened them and took over but just as soon as he did, the source cut off all connections with those businesses. He had been careless.
" As for the infiltrator, figure it out ", Atticus said as he got out from the car as they'd already reached home.
" Yes sir ", as soon as he said this, he pointed a gun to the chauffeur and shot him. A bullet hole could be seen between his brows as blood trickled out. His eyes wide open in shock as he leaned sideways on the steering wheel. The two weren't so stupid not to notice that the driver wasn't the same one from before. Leo searched the body and found a microphone attached to his suit and handed it to Atticus.
" Whoever you are, if your listening, just know I'll find you and when I do, you'll pay for using me ", he then crushed it in his hands, " Get someone to take care of the body "
" Yes sir ".
+++
As Atticus walked into the mansion, he noticed the door was slightly open. That's strange, they never leave it open. He then became alert as he walked in and saw the maids were running around and soon it was accompanied by a shrill voice.
" Atticus!! ", a lady suddenly rushed towards him embracing him in a tight hug! He quickly pushed her off. She smiled widely and didn't take it to heart, she revealed her pearly whites. She had short wavy brown hair and similar brown eyes. Her strikingly red lips complimented her beautiful fair skin. She wore expensive designers and heavy makeup. She looked truly exquisite!
" Grace? Why are you here? "
" Why won't I be here, I'm here for you love ~~", her brows twitched. How dare he!! She had never seen Atticus as someone worth anything because of his position in the Huttons. Sure he was handsome but so what, he was a good for nothing at the time and wasn't up to her standards or so she thought. After she was betrothed to him by their families, she had tried to annul the engagement but was rejected. She'd rather be with Edward who was less handsome! But after the destruction of the Huttons, she began to see him in a different light and began to think she was in love with him but she was actually after his fame, who wouldn't be? She decided to make him hers no matter what. She had to!
Atticus could already the guess the reason for her sudden visit and wasn't in the mood to entertain her any further. Someone who was disgusted by him, who couldn't even breathe the same air as he did was all of a sudden interested in him? Pathetic!
He ignored the woman and headed towards the stairs and at the same time a familiar petite lady was walking down them. Layla's and Atticus's eyes met stopping her in her tracks, how could a man be so handsome! A slight blush crept across her face but it quickly disappeared, the handsome man still took notice of it. She blushed? he thought, his previously sharp gaze softened momentarily before returning to back to normal. Grace who watched the two staring at each other as they ignored her presence couldn't take it anymore and quickly wrapped her arms around his.
Who was this woman? She thought as she studied Layla's appearance, her bare face was really stunning! Compared to this lady she looked extremely plain, she hated it!
Layla quickly noticed Grace who was wrapped around Atticus like a leech, she suddenly felt a discomfort in her chest. Who was this woman to Atticus? Could it be a lover or fianceé? Why would she care? Feeling out of place, Layla quickly walked down the stairs past the two. A smug look appeared on Grace's face, she had won! She was in a great mood but same couldn't be said for Atticus. He quickly loosened the grip of this shameless woman and shoved her to the side before going up the stairs.
Grace stumbled but quickly regained her balance, " Who is she? ", she asked.
" Its none of your business Grace ", he replied, not bothering to look at her as he made his way up the stairs.
" I won't leave till I know "
" Then make your self at home ", he soon disappeared up the stairs. Grace face was already unsightly as she fumed with anger. No one has ever treated her in such a manner, ever. Ever since she was young, being the only daughter and last child of the Owen family, her parents and three older brothers spoiled her rotten. Whatever she wanted was always given to her and no one dared to speak to her in an unruly manner as she came from a second tier family in the southern district of country V.
After some thought an evil grin appeared on her face as she walked off.
++++
Layla sat on the hanging bench at the gazebo with Lyra sitting opposite her at a table sipping tea. She noticed Layla's troubled expression and gently placed the tea cup on the saucer.
" No need to worry, she's just Atticus's self proclaimed fiancee ", Lyra said as she picked up a biscuit. Fiancee?! But she isn't right?
" She isn't his fiancee Layla, at least not anymore, she cut ties with Atticus when she thought he was a good for nothing but now she's trying to leeching off him "
" After Atticus destroyed the Huttons there's nothing bonding those two together but it seems she doesn't get the message. Atticus will never love a bi.. "
" I dare you to finish that sentence ", Grace cut Lyra off. Lyra could only roll her eyes and keep on sipping on her tea ignoring the moron completely. Vexed, Grace moved forward to slap her but Lyra flawlessly caught her hand in a tight grip. Grace swiftly spun aiming her left elbow at Lyra's face but she easily tilted her head to the side releasing Grace's hand. Grace quickly swung the heel of her foot towards Lyra's head but it was effortlessly dodged by Lyra who did the splits then bent her legs in a ninety degree bend and did the sweeping motion causing Grace to lose balance for a short while and soon lyra's fists was inches from her face.
" Know your place ", Lyra then retracted her fist and went back to sit. Grace was stunned that a once before quiet and introverted Lyra could match her in strength. Her gaze then shifted to Layla who had been watching the whole fight wide eyed.