Catherine POV
I noticed the CEO looked confused and aggrieved. I already knew the reason, something had been stirred from behind the scenes.
When I spoke, both he and the man standing beside him looked stunned.
"I would advise you to start from your most trusted aide."
Before either of them could respond,
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
I stepped out calmly, walking with measured poise.
Outside, Dr. Felix was waiting to pick me up. It was closing time for me and the end of his shift as well.
"Where to, Miss Lil Cathy?" he asked lightly.
I rolled my eyes. "To the casino."
He blinked in surprise, but said nothing. Without another word, he drove off.
When we reached the underground entrance of the casino, Dr. Felix pulled out a mask and handed it to me.
I stared at it.
I had always known him as a doctor with a clean image. But ever since I saw that castle-like apartment of his, I suspected there was more to him. Perhaps being a doctor was simply his disguise.
Just like being a jewelry designer was mine.
I raised a brow at him, a silent question.
After this, we're talking.
He shrugged slightly, as if he understood.
We entered through a hidden pathway that led to the back section of the casino. That side wasn't for gambling it was for private dealings. Separate rooms. Private clients.
Felix entered one room.
I entered another.
The room was dark exactly how I preferred it.
Earlier, I had sent a message to someone I survived hell with during my five years in M Country. I wouldn't call him a trusted aide. I don't trust easily. I don't trust at all.
Files were already laid out on the table.
Michael.
Elorah.
My mother's family history.
My ex-manager.
Sandra.
And several executives that are planning the quiet bankruptcy of Mo Company.
I sorted through the Mo Company files first, extracting the necessary information and saving it onto a USB drive.
Next was Michael.
I had hoped he had changed.
But old habits die hard.
Setting him up would be easy.
I sent a coded message to my assistant; the one who followed me from M Country to S Country, instructing them to recruit an alluring woman and position her inside Teerie Company. Detailed instructions followed.
Yes.
I have an assistant.
I never move alone.
The telephone on the desk rang.
I picked it up and activated a voice changer.
"State your business," I said in a distorted male tone.
"The file of the person I want eliminated will be sent to you," the caller said. "The job must be completed within five working days."
I leaned back in the chair.
"You were told the rules," I replied coldly. "No deadlines. And I do not eliminate without knowing the reason. I will not act if the target is innocent."
A pause.
"Everything you need will be sent. All information on how to reach me will be included."
Click.
I ended the call. I dislike unnecessary prolonging of conversations.
After that, I transferred the file regarding my mother's family to my private storage.
I would review it at home.
Then I would contact Dr. Felix to see if he had finished his own business and where to meet.
After we finished our business, we left for a restaurant not too far from his apartment. I ordered a fruit juice, while Dr. Felix went for a whisky. The contrast seemed fitting to me, the careful observer; him, calm, composed, and dangerous.
"Wow, what a day, Dr. Felix… shoot. Spill everything. I'm curious," I chuckled, trying to mask the tension in my chest.
He smirked slightly. "I wouldn't be surprised if you are. Not even Judy knows this. But if I'm to tell, you'll have to exchange it with a secret. And if your secret is worth it, I might give you a hint about your mother's family."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? You'll be the first to bargain this way. Fine… it's a deal. But… how did you know I've been trying to get in touch with my mother's family?"
He leaned back, calm as ever. "If you want to know, it'll require another secret. I know you're more than the Lil Cathy I knew years ago."
"Deal?" he asked again, steady, unwavering.
"Deal," I replied, my heart beating a little faster.
"Well, the casino is owned by my family," he began. "Our lineage… we are a line of consigliere. We're never meant to take over the Mafia world, but to serve as the consigliere to the Don."
I gulped, sarcasm escaping my lips. "But you don't look like one."
He chuckled. "And you don't look like one who knows her way around the casino world either. We all have our roles. It makes gathering information easier… with less stress." He winked, the hint of danger in his calm voice sending a shiver down my spine.
"And what if Judy finds out and leaves you alone?" I asked cautiously, my voice quieter now.
He raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly forward. "Don't tell me you're concerned about Judy. Well… you don't need to deny it. You are concerned, even if scared to admit it. Now, it's my turn. What happened the night your mother died?"
I froze, memories pressing against my mind like heavy fog. Could I trust him? Why had he stayed by me all these years as an underworld consigliere, a man with secrets of his own?
Then he said softly, "You look exactly like my late aunt, the only person who ever showed me love in my family."
Something softened inside me. I drew in a breath. "Okay… there's more to it, and I respect your decision. That night, I was betrayed by a friend… and raped." My voice dropped, steady but icy. I stood firm, hiding the tears threatening to fall. "I'm going to make them pay for that."
He said nothing, but his silence was heavy, patient.
"I would have loved to ask more… but it's fine. I'm sorry it happened. Now… the second secret," he said gently.
I let a small, eerie smile curl my lips. "I thought you'd ask out of curiosity. But deep down, I know what you really wanted to know. Why I came to the casino… right?"
He nodded, unflinching.
"Well… I came to pick up a mission. To kill someone. Just for the bag." My voice was cold, controlled, the words hanging between us like a knife.