CHAPTER SEVEN

For a moment the two women froze staring at each other, Olivia looked at the lady from her long dark hair, to her piercing green eyes, her high end designer’s clothing that compliments her slim, athletic build.

“Who are you”, the lady demanded, breaking the awkward silence between them.

Olivia forced herself to remain calm, “I…..I’m Olivia”, she stammered.

The lady’s gaze narrowed, as she stepped closer, her posture radiating authority, but before she could speak, Lucas appeared, his expression hardened as he saw the two women together, “Mia…there you are”, he said, his voice calm but firm. “This is Olivia, she’s here on my orders” , he said, his voice cold and authoritative.

Olivia's mind raced as she realized the young lady was Mia, Lucas' fiance.

Mia turned to Lucas, her eyes flashing with anger and confusion “on your orders?, what does that mean?”

“It means she’s here to help me with a delicate situation”. Lucas replied, not offering any further explanation.

Mia's gaze flicked back to Olivia, and the tension in the air was palpable , “I don't like secrets Lucas”, she said coldly.

“I understand”, Lucas said cupping Mia’s face in his palms, “But this is not something you need to concern yourself with, Trust me”.

Mia seemed hesitant , her eyes scanning Lucas face for any hint of deception , after a long moment, she sighed ,though her expression remained guarded. “Fine”.

As Mia turned to walk away , Lucas' gaze shifted to Olivia, and his eyes hardened, “What did I tell you about staying out of sight?” He said in a low, dangerous tone.

“Get back to room” he ordered his voice leaving no room for arguments, “Now”.

Olivia nodded, her mind still reeling from the unexpected encounter. She hurried back to her room, her thoughts racing.

Back in her room, Olivia paced restlessly the walls closing in on her,the mansion felt like a prison.

She tried to focus on work but her thoughts kept drifting back to the garden encounter . The way Mia had looked at her, the suspicion in her eyes, it was clear that Mia was not easily placated.

…..🌵

Back in Lucas' room, Mia sat on the edge of the body, clearly not comfortable with the presence of Mia, just then Lucas walked into the room. Mia rose from where she sat, “What exactly is that lady doing here Lucas?” Mia asked,

Lucas turned his gaze to Mia ignoring her question, he walked closer to her, and gave Mia a light kiss on her forehead, trying to soothe her, “I’ll be back in a few minutes , I need to handle something”.

Mia nodded, though her eye still held a hint of suspicion , Lucas left the room, Vincent already waiting outside.

Together they made their way to a room deep within the mansion , its walls are acoustically treated to prevent any sound from escaping.

Inside ,Marco was tied up in a chair , his face bruised and his expression defiant. Lucas stepped forward ,his presence dominating the room. “Marco”, he began, “I know about all your deals”.

Marco smirked despite his predicament, “what deals are you talking about?”

Lucas's eyes narrowed , “the unauthorized transaction,the money you’ve been funneling to an unknown account”.

Marco's smirk faded slowly , replaced by a look of calculation, “You’ve got no proof”

Lucas nodded to Vincent , who handed him a stack of documents . Lucas tossed them onto the table in front of Marco, “This says otherwise”.

Marco glaced at the documents, his face tightening with anger, “So you’ve been snooping around huh?, using that journalist to dig up dirt on me?”.

“Olivia found the clues, yes” Lucas admitted , his voice cold , “I didn't expect such from you!!” Lucas snapped, his voice obviously lacing with anger

Marvin laughed bitterly, “And what do you plan to do about it? Kill me? You think you can just get rid of me and everything will be fine?”

Lucas’ eyes were like ice, “You Betrayed me, Marco . Betrayed the bond, you know the consequences”.

Marco's defiance flared again, “You’re making a mistake, Lucas, you are aware of my importance, You know how deadly I can be”

Lucas moved closer, his face inches from Marco's , “ Your importance?You, deadly?, look around you Marco . You’re tied up facing the end, cause you underestimated me”.

Marco tried to lunge forward, but the rope held him back, “You're a fool, Lucas, a sentimental fool”.

Without warning, Lucas backhandedMarvo across the face, the impact echoing in the silent room, “You have no idea what I'm capable of”, he growled, “Vincent make sure he’s secure”.

Vincent nodded, tightening the ropes around Marco's wrist , ensuring there was no chance of escape. Marco winced, but held Lucas' gaze, his eyes filled with venom.

“You won't get away with this”,Marco hissed, “People will know I'm missing , they'll come looking for me”.

Lucas smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes, “By the time they find you, it will be too late”.

Marco spat on the floor, his defiance undimmed, “You’re making a mistake cousin, you’ll regret this, You’re a dead man, you don't just know yet”.

Lucas turned to Vincent, “Make sure he doesn't leave this room until I say so, and keep an eye on him, I don't want any surprises at all”.

Vincent nodded, his grip on Marco's shoulder tightening, “Understood boss”.

As Lucas left the room, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud , he felt a surge of satisfaction. Marco’s betrayal had been uncovered, and soon he would face the full consequences of his actions.

Lucas returned to his room, finding Mia waiting for him, her expression her mix of curiosity and concern,“Is everything alright?” , She asked.

“It's handled”,Lucas replied curtly, not offering any details.

Mia studied his face, sensing the tension but choosing not to press further, “Good, I was worried”.

“There's no need to worry”, Lucas said, his tone softer now, “Let's just enjoy the day”.


Almost immadietly Lucas phone buzzed, he glanced at the screen and frowned.It was a call from his mother, Isabella, “I need to take this” he told Mia stepping aside.

“Lucas”, Isabella called, her voice filled with urgency, “Your father has fallen seriously ill,you need to come immadietly”.