CHAPTER 73.
Carlos swirled the amber liquid in his glass as his phone buzzed on the desk. Without glancing at the screen, he answered—only three people had access to this line.
"Uncle," Kate's voice trembled through the receiver, carrying just the right hint of desperation.
A slow smile spread across Carlos's lips. He leaned back in his leather chair, savoring the moment.
"Go on, my dear," he drawled. "Tell me—what has your husband done this time?"
"I… I just found out he's into gambling," Kate whispered. "It's been going on for eight months now."
Carlos's brows arched, his interest instantly piqued. "Is that so? And how did you discover this… unfortunate habit?"
"I managed to check his phone," she confessed. "There were messages about the last game he played. He lost fifty thousand, Uncle. And it's not just that—he's planning to bet an even bigger amount this weekend."
Carlos chuckled softly, the sound dripping with satisfaction. "Well, well… this is perfect. We can use this against him, you know that, don't you?"
"You really think so?" Kate let a flicker of doubt color her tone.
"Of course." His voice was firm, calculated. "Get me something solid—evidence no one can deny. Bring it to me, and together with my people, we'll plan a little… surprise that will humble him."
Kate hesitated, then said, "Alright. I trust you on this, Uncle."
"Good girl,"
Carlos ended the call, still wearing that smug smile. He swirled the bourbon in his glass before picking up his phone again.
"Donovan," he said as soon as the line connected.
"Whats with the sudden call?"
"Kate just gave me something juicy. Turns out our dear William has been gambling—eight months strong. She claims he lost fifty thousand already and plans to risk more this weekend."
There was a pause, then Donovan's low chuckle crackled through the speaker. "That explains a lot. What's the play?"
Carlos leaned forward, eyes glittering. "Yiu should be here right now. She's coming over anytime soon with proof. If this checks out, we'll make William choke on his own vice. I need you to hear it for yourself and weigh in."
"I'll be there in an hour," Donovan replied. "And Carlos—be careful. This sudden change doesn't seem right."
Carlos smirked, finishing his drink. "Relax, Donovan. She's family. Besides… She thinks I'm her savior. If she does anything stupid then I have no choice but to end her like her parents."
Thirty minutes later, Kate pulled up in front of Carlos's mansion. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as nerves surged through her. This was it—the real test. If she slipped, if Carlos caught even a whiff of her double game, everything would crumble.
She closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, then stepped out of the car. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as the guard ushered her inside.
Carlos was already waiting in the lounge,his usual confident smirk plastered across his face. Beside him sat Donovan, relaxed but watchful, his sharp eyes scanning her every move.
"Kate," Carlos greeted smoothly, rising to his feet. "Right on time. I like that."
"Good evening, Uncle," she replied with a polite smile, carefully masking her unease.
Carlos motioned to the seat across from him. "Sit. You said you had proof… something we could use against William." He went straight to the point.
Kate slid into the chair, her heart hammering, but she forced herself to keep her composure. She pulled out her phone, swiping to the screenshots she had carefully staged.
"Yes, Uncle. I thought you'd want to see this for yourself."
Donovan leaned forward, eyes narrowing as the images came into view. "Fifty thousand gone in one night… careless bastard," he muttered.
Carlos chuckled, swirling his glass. "Oh, William… so noble on the outside, so reckless underneath. This is going to be fun."
He set his drink down and fixed Kate with a penetrating look. "Tell me, my dear… are you ready to help us take him down completely?"
Kate's stomach twisted, but she met his gaze with feigned conviction. "Yes, Uncle. I'll do whatever it takes."
Carlos's smirk deepened. Donovan nodded in satisfaction. The trap was being set—and Kate was in the lion's den.
Carlos leaned back, his fingers drumming lightly against the armrest. "This weekend, you said he's planning to gamble again?"
Kate nodded quickly. "Yes. He's been making arrangements with a private host. I think he wants to recover what he lost."
Donovan's lips curved into a sly grin. "That's even better. If we can make sure he bets big and loses, his pride won't let him stop. He'll spiral."
Carlos's eyes gleamed with approval. "Exactly. A man in debt is a man in chains. And once William owes the wrong people, he'll come crawling for help."
Kate swallowed hard, feigning shock. "You'd… set him up to lose?"
Carlos chuckled darkly. "Of course. Do you think gambling is ever about luck? It's about control. I'll make sure the table turns against him. Once he's buried in debt, the great William Dray will have no choice but to kneel."
Donovan leaned forward, his tone practical. "We'll need solid numbers. How much can we push him to risk without him suspecting? Too little, and it won't hurt. Too much, and he might back out."
"Fifty thousand was his last play," Kate offered cautiously. "But he's been restless. I wouldn't be surprised if he doubled or tripled that this time."
Carlos's smirk widened. "Perfect. We'll arrange for a pot he can't resist. Say… two hundred thousand. Enough to tempt him, enough to break him."
Donovan nodded. "I'll speak to the host. Make sure the game is ours to control."
"Kate, you should let us know who the host is before the weekend."
"No problem uncle."
Kate forced a smile, her fingers tightening around her phone under the table. Every word was a dagger she'd carry back to William.
Carlos lifted his glass in a mock toast. "To William's downfall. And to you, Kate, for being my clever little spy."
Kate raised her glass with trembling hands, hiding her dread behind a practiced smile.
The sound of Kate's heels echoed the hallway as she left Carlos's mansion, the weight of the meeting pressing heavily on her chest. By the time she got into her car, her breath came out shaky, uneven. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, letting all the tension out.
She had played her part well—calm, composed, convincing—but now that she was alone, the cracks showed. Her heart thudded wildly, the echo of Carlos's sly smile still lingering in her mind. She hated that look, the way his eyes seemed to strip her bare, as though he could see through every mask she wore.
"God…" she whispered under her breath, pressing her forehead against the wheel. She was already feeling sick about the whole thing, her stomach twisting with dread. Pretending to side with Carlos meant dancing on the edge of a blade. If he ever discovered she was feeding William information, it wouldn't just be her secret exposed—it would be her life.
A hot tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, forcing herself to breathe. You can't fall apart now, Kate. Not now. She straightened, inhaling deeply, gathering every ounce of strength she had left. She reminded herself why she was doing this.
Still, as she started the engine, a single thought wouldn't leave her mind.
How long before Carlos suspects me?
__
Kate drove home in silence. The moment she stepped into the house, she felt the weight of everything pressing down on her chest. William was already in the living room, waiting—he had that look that told her he wouldn't rest until he knew what happened.
"You're back," he said quietly, rising from the couch. His eyes narrowed when he saw the tension in her face. "What did he say?"
Kate set her bag down, exhaling shakily as if she'd been holding her breath the entire drive. "Carlos bought it," she whispered. "He thinks you're hooked on gambling. And Donovan… Donovan was there too. They're both planning to use it against you."
William's jaw tightened, but instead of panic, a sharp glint of strategy flickered in his eyes. "Good. That means they're moving. Now we just need to stay one step ahead."
Kate sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "They want me to get more proof. But that's not all— I told them you will meet a host this weekend to play another game. Donovan will meet the host before you for some information also."
William leaned back, thinking. Then he shook his head slowly. "We can't let that happen."
Kate looked up at him, uncertain. "Meaning?"
"We get someone to become the host. Someone that will act like he's been in this line for a long time—and careful enough not to slip." William's gaze sharpened as though he was already scanning through names in his head. "Someone we can absolutely trust."
Kate swallowed. "Okay…. You need to be fast about it because I need to let Carlos know who the host is."
"Sure."
A heavy silence hung in the room before Kate finally asked, "Do you have anyone in mind?"
William's lips curved slightly. "I think I know exactly who we need. I'll get Liam to do that."
"That sorts it then. I need to rest… I've got tons of work tomorrow at the office."
"Get enough rest."
As soon as Kate left, William pulled out his phone and dialed Liam.
"Boss," Liam answered immediately.
"Prepare my private jet. John will be flying back tonight." William's tone was clipped, decisive.
There was a beat of silence. "Huh… that's too fast. What's happening?"
"Just do as I say," William snapped, though his voice carried a thread of urgency. "I'll explain everything when he gets here."
"…Okay," Liam said, but his curiosity was obvious.
William ended the call and leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. Bringing John back was risky, but it was the only way to make Donovan believe the lie. If anyone could pull off the role of the host, it was John.