Chapter 7
633words
He lit a Cuban cigar, the smoke curling slowly upward in the dimly lit warehouse. The air was thick, heavy with the smell of tobacco and metal.
“Ivan is one of the top hackers in the world,” he continued, looking at me as if patiently teaching a lesson. “His skills and experience are worth far more than a single piece of software. Two million to buy his expertise is a very fair deal.”
Only then did I understand that Caspian had never cared about the backdoored software. What he wanted was Ivan himself. A top-tier hacker pushed into a corner, with no way out and no other options, was far more valuable than any tool. From now on, Ivan could only serve the Falcone family or face death.
“You’re really smart,” I said sincerely. “That way, he becomes our exclusive technical advisor.”
Seizing the moment, I added, “Since you’re so smart, I have a request of my own. I want control over the financial management of the family’s nightclub.”
He raised an eyebrow, asking, “And the reason is…”
I said, meeting his gaze without flinching. “I want to learn how the family’s business works. It’ll benefit our cooperation and allow me to serve the family better.”
He fell silent for a few seconds, clearly weighing the pros and cons, before he nodded. “Fine. I’ll have people arrange the handover tomorrow.”
A few days later, we were dining at one of the family’s upscale restaurants.
“Caspian, I’m going to the restroom,” I said, rising from my seat.
I had barely reached the entrance when someone stood in my way.
“Elysia, long time no see.”
Leia stood there, her smile fake. She was wearing a long-sleeved dress, but the edge of a bruise was still visible near her wrist, peeking out from the fabric.
“It looks like you’re doing well,” I said casually.
“Of course,” she replied smugly. “Arnold treats me very well. He surprises me every day. Our relationship is amazing, unlike some people who are left sitting around like a decorative ornament.”
Her thoughts rang clearly in my head. ‘She really thinks she’s something special. Caspian doesn’t even touch her, just like my last life.’
The malice in her was unmistakable.
“Is that so?” I tilted my head and pointed at her wrist. “Leia, what’s that on your arm?”
She panicked and tugged her sleeve down, hastily covering the bruise. “It’s nothing. Just… marks of passion. Arnold is a little too enthusiastic.”
“Passion?” I let out a cold laugh. “That looks more like abuse.”
I had hit the nerve dead on as her expression twisted instantly. She knew I’d seen through her lie, and the humiliation pushed her over the edge.
“You b*tch, how dare you mock me!”
She lunged forward and grabbed my hair, her nails scraping across my cheek and drawing blood. The sharp pain made me gasp.
Just then, a strong hand suddenly clamped around her wrist.
“Try touching her again.”
Caspian appeared out of nowhere, his grip so powerful that Leia screamed on the spot. I could hear the pressure grinding against her bones.
“Ah! Let go! You’re hurting me!” she screamed as her face contorted in agony.
Caspian’s eyes were cold and empty, as if he were looking at an ant. The surrounding diners turned toward us, the restaurant falling into a tense, suffocating silence.
Arnold rushed over, his face drained of color when he saw the scene. “Caspian, this is a misunderstanding… Leia didn’t mean it–”
“A misunderstanding?” Caspian’s voice was ice-cold. “I saw it with my own eyes. She struck my wife first.”
He looked down at Leia, who was now trembling, his tone filled with danger.
“Do you know the consequences of disrespecting your sister-in-law?”
