"Mee J."
I feigned ignorance immediately, even though deep down I knew he was right. Still, I couldn't let it show. There was no way he should know, no one was supposed to know unless I revealed it myself.
"Who is Mee J?" I asked, putting on an innocent expression. "I don't know any Mee J, and I'm very sure I'm not Mee J. Maybe you mistook me for someone else."
I crossed my arms slightly, maintaining eye contact.
"I can only agree to your condition with my own terms," I added calmly.
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. You can state your terms. But there's no way I'll accept you not staying under my roof until the contract ends."
"Fine," I agreed without hesitation.
The only reason I agreed was because Ava was a pitiful child. I wanted to give her a chance to see the world differently—to grow without knowing what "the bag" truly meant. Because once you understand the bag too early, destruction begins.
"Give me three months," I continued. "I have some pressing matters to handle. I'm not ready to involve anyone in my mess. As for Mo Company, don't worry. By tonight, certain things will be handled. I'll act under your name."
I paused, then looked straight at him.
"My turn. Who is Elorah to you?"
He smirked slightly.
"Well, well… Elorah is my stepmother's niece. And I have no bond with her."
I was caught off guard.
That was it?
For a moment, I felt like I got cheated.
Why do I feel like this deal is unbalanced? I asked myself silently. But I didn't let it show. I couldn't afford to act clumsy, especially around him. For some reason, controlling my emotions around him wasn't as easy as I expected.
"I see," I said simply.
I stood up shortly after and bid him goodbye—though there was a trace of resentment in it.
I called my assistant immediately after leaving and sent Ava's picture along with some details. I instructed two of my men to watch over her discreetly.
"They must never reveal themselves unless absolutely necessary," I said.
After that, I flagged a taxi and headed back to Mr. Desmond's residence.
As I stepped out of the taxi, my phone chimed.
I slowed my steps intentionally, already aware of his presence somewhere within the villa. A small smile formed on my lips as I unlocked my phone, pretending to read casually.
But the moment I saw the message, my expression twitched.
Mission canceled.
The order to kill Mr. Desmond had been withdrawn. The client and him had already settled their feud.
My smile stiffened.
What the hell…
Seventy percent of the payment had already been made. That meant I was free to walk away.
But I wasn't leaving.
Not yet.
I needed answers. About him. About my mother. About everything.
"Miss, boss is calling you."
One of the maids approached me respectfully.
I nodded and followed her.
As I entered his study, another message came in, but I ignored it for now.
He looked at me differently this time.
"I want your help," he said calmly. "Just for today. Ask for anything, I'll give it to you."
I raised a brow slightly.
"That's surprising," I said.
"I know you don't want to be used," he continued. "And I don't fully trust you either. But at the same time… I feel like my life is in your hands."
I didn't bother hiding anything anymore. My mission was already canceled.
"Fine," I said. "I'll help. As long as it doesn't involve killing or hacking."
He nodded.
"Before that, let's play a game," he said. "Dirty Trading."
I smirked slightly and adjusted my sitting position, now facing him directly.
"You mean exchanging information for information?" I asked. "That's common in M country."
He looked intrigued.
"So, you've been to M country," he said.
I didn't respond to that.
"I'll go first," he continued. "What was your intention in coming here under the pretense of being Felix's friend? Because I haven't seen any real interaction between you two."
I picked up my cup, slowly inhaling the aroma of my juice before taking a sip.
"Will you believe me if I say I was sent from M country to kill you?" I said casually.
He chuckled darkly.
"Nice one," he replied. "So you took a mission to kill your father?"
For the first time, I was genuinely shocked.
"What makes you think you're my father?" I asked coldly.
"You were careful," he said calmly. "You left no trace. But your birthmark answered my question."
Shit.
"And Felix," he added, "looks at you like a sister. He would die for you."
He leaned forward slightly.
"But are you willing to go that far for him?"
"Are you not concerned about where he is right now?" he continued. "Or that I could kill him… even though he's my son?"
A dark laugh escaped my lips.
"You're right," I said. "You are my father."
I looked straight at him, my gaze cold.
"But I will never acknowledge you as one."
Silence filled the room.
"I never imagined my father to be a corrupted businessman," I continued. "Someone who plots to kill the Don of the underworld. I never imagined my father to be a manipulator."
My grip tightened around the cup.
"All for what? The bag?"
My voice hardened.
"You chose money over love. You destroyed your relationship with my mother. You deprived her of happiness. You deprived me of a father."
I laughed again, but there was no humor in it.
"Where were you when I was molested?"
"Where were you when my mother was dying from cancer?"
"Where were you when she begged for a death injection?"
"Where were you when I was thrown around like a discarded pawn?"
My voice dropped.
"Where were you… when your four-year-old daughter couldn't even get treatment?"
Silence.
"You were busy chasing the bag."
I exhaled slowly, trying to control myself.
"And what did that bag give you?" I continued. "Enough power to become a beast? To kidnap your own son's lover? To almost destroy her?"
My eyes locked onto his.
"My mother said your parents were the reason you couldn't marry her. You hated them, didn't you? Then why are you exactly like them?"
I paused.
"I'll stop here," I said quietly. "Before I lose control."
I leaned back slightly.
"I could kill you right now and feel nothing," I added. "But I promised my mother I wouldn't."
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"As for Felix… don't ever think you can use him against me."
My gaze sharpened.
"Because the evidence I have on you? Your corruption? Your plans? If you don't cooperate…"
I tilted my head slightly.
"Your empire will fall just like the Wellington family."
The door suddenly opened.
Several unfamiliar men entered.
I didn't recognize any of them.
Then I saw Felix among them.
For the first time, emotion showed clearly on my face.
"Felix!"
I rushed toward him and hugged him tightly.
"Are you okay? You're not hurt, right?"
"I'm fine," he said. "My little sister already saved me."
He smiled faintly. "Thank you, Cathy."
Before I could respond, a sharp voice cut through the room.
"Who the hell is this, Desmond?"
I turned slightly.
Unknown faces.
Cold expressions.
And then,
He raised his hand.
Every single man in the room lifted their guns.
And pointed them at me