Chapter 14 You Are the Driver
The auctioneer, all smiles, held up a tiny hammer.
"Alright, folks, next up! The Abyssal Blades's planning to hit the Faceless Ones and the Shadow Syndicate hard, with some major moves in Imperia City.
"Starting bid, three million bucks."
The headline was free, but the juicy details? Those cost ya.
Catherine couldn't care less about the Abyssal Blades gunning for her crew. If they had the guts, let them come; it wasn't clear who'd end up on top.
She'd been knee-deep in the gemstone biz for the past couple of years, letting her assassin group grow on its own. Now, it was one of the big three on the dark web.
What really caught her eye was the Abyssal Blades's plans in Imperia City. 'If I'm right, this is about Marcus. I gotta get this info! If they make a move on Marcus right under my nose, how can I keep my rep?'
Catherine raised her paddle, "Three million and one hundred thousand bucks, I'm Blackfire."
'Excuse me?'
Three million and one hundred thousand wasn't much, but that last line made everyone else drop their paddles!
The auctioneer was stunned. 'We were hoping to auction this news for tens of millions, but with Blackfire here, who dares to bid?'
Alexander in VIP Room No. 9 was a bit taken aback and then put his paddle down.
'Looks like the person who outbid me last time is her. Since she's into that news, my three million wasn't wasted.' Thinking this, Alexander leaned back, a grin spreading across his face.
He'd checked all the companies and employees in Serenity Heights but couldn't find Catherine. Seemed like Blackfire wouldn't be easy to track either.
With Blackfire's name out there, everyone went quiet and let Catherine have the news.
"Congrats to Blackfire, sold for three million and one hundred thousand bucks!"
The auctioneer beamed, "Next piece of news is on the house. The King of Gemstones is teaming up with some families for a public gemstone betting event next month. Everyone's invited."
Catherine was speechless.
The King of Gemstones was a big name in the jewelry world; anyone in the biz knew it. Her identity was a mystery, her moves unpredictable, and any stone she picked was top-notch.
'How could I not know I had a public schedule?' Catherine headed to the info room, swiped her card, and got her news.
"The Abyssal Blades's sending assassins to target Marcus again tomorrow, charging one hundred million bucks."
Downstairs at Serenity Heights, a clean but old Volkswagen sat low-key and shabby.
As soon as Catherine walked out, she saw Alexander standing by the car.
He waved at her, his elegant and handsome face full of surprise, exuding a gentle and pleasant vibe.
Catherine walked up, surprised, "You moonlighting as a driver?"
Alexander's smile froze for a sec, then he met Catherine's somewhat skeptical gaze, particularly beautiful, dazzling.
Catherine glanced at the car behind him, thinking about the info she just got about the very poor village near Angel's Haven Orphanage. 'It's not easy for Nightfall to make a living on the dark web.'
"Can I give you a lift?"
Catherine figured she needed a ride anyway, and it didn't matter which car she took. She could also help Nightfall's business, so she hopped in.
"To make you wanna join the Shadow Syndicate, I'll give you a welcome gift."
Catherine was speechless.
'Who gives a welcome gift now? We've met a few times already.'
Alexander pulled out a small box with the news and handed it to Catherine, "Open it and see."
Catherine was a bit surprised and asked, "You're VIP No. 9? Why'd you blow so much cash on this news? How long do you have to drive to earn that?"
'Man, being on the richest list for so long, it's a first for someone to think I'm a driver,' Alexander thought, feeling a mix of emotions. He hinted, "I got a main gig, you know."
Catherine suddenly clicked that he was the head honcho of the Shadow Syndicate, raking in cash from dark web gigs.
"You dropped all that cash on this info just to give it to me? What if I don't wanna join the Shadow Syndicate?"
"No biggie. Making you happy is worth it. Anything else is just a bonus." he said.
'Spending that much dough just to make me happy?' Catherine thought as her hands, holding the box, felt a bit warmer.
"Do you give pricey gifts to every girl?"
Alexander went quiet.
"You're the first. I don't give gifts to women, except my mom who loved flowers when she was around."
Catherine didn't mean to bring up sad memories and quickly said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to."
"It's cool. So, does my gift make you happy?"
Catherine was speechless. 'Who asks such a blunt question like that? When I got gifts from my brothers, I never felt this speechless. Maybe folks from rough neighborhoods just say it like it is?'
Catherine had dealt with a few international orphans before, knowing they liked to speak their minds directly, fearing they wouldn't get another chance.
Thinking of this, Catherine tried to calm her racing heart.
"Yeah, happy."
Alexander's smile deepened, making Catherine feel inexplicably warm, and she quickly turned away.
The temperature in this car was still a bit too high!
Catherine thought for a moment, opening the info box in front of Alexander.
"The director of Vinehill Hospital and the director of Angel's Haven Orphanage are the same person. Before disappearing, he had contact with Oliver, a businessman from Serenitia City."
'Oliver? How's he mixed up in this? The Smith family is involved in the child-swapping mess, so it's not shocking to see Oliver in the mix.' she thought.
Catherine put away the note, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.
She was stunningly beautiful, with expressive eyebrows, yet carried the cold aura unique to an assassin, her eyes shimmering.
This look made her seem more down-to-earth, more like a teenage girl.
"Is the info useful?" Alexander asked.
"Yeah, thanks. What should I get you as a return gift? Joining the Shadow Syndicate is a no-go. I won't ditch the Faceless Ones for now."
The assassins of the Faceless Ones had been with Catherine for years and had deep bonds with her and the organization. She wouldn't abandon her crew.
Alexander's face showed a faint smile.
"Then tell me your name. I wanna know your name, the one you use outside the dark web."
Catherine was a bit stunned. 'My name is worth three million bucks? Has Nightfall never gone to school, so he can't do the math?'
"Catherine."
"Alexander."
Catherine nodded, remembering Alexander's name.
"Can you take me to Evergreen Mall?"
Quinn Couture's largest physical store in Imperia City was about to open, and Simon had been bugging Catherine to be there. It should be around this time, and if she didn't go, Simon would throw a fit.
"Sure thing."
'Evergreen Mall is the biggest mall in Imperia City, full of luxury stuff. It's normal for a girl like Catherine to wanna go there,' he thought.
After dropping Catherine off at the mall, Alexander turned the car around, driving into the Evergreen Mall parking lot. He got out, walking straight to a Maybach parked there.
Ryan's eyes widened as he saw Alexander get out of a small, nondescript car.
'What's up with Alexander? Has he suddenly gone minimalist?'
Seeing Alexander look over, Ryan quickly said respectfully, "Sir, the arrangements you made are done. Mr. Felix Howard wants you to visit the hospital tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?"
Ryan hesitated for a moment and stammered, "Because Marcus's granddaughter will be there."
Alexander closed his eyes and pressed his temples.
"Got it."
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