Since when can a little rat speak to you so rudely?" the unfamiliar man said with clear contempt as he looked at me. "Is it because of this riffraff that you almost killed your own son? If not for the fact that our son is already in cahoots with the Cee undercover men, he would have been dead by now. And the most annoying part is that you even allowed her to speak to you this way."
He raised his hand slightly.
"Men, take her down."
I let out a soft sigh.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk… I would love for you to start what you can't finish."
Ignoring him completely, I walked calmly, and majestically toward Mr. Desmond. The room fell silent as I stopped right in front of him. Without hesitation, I leaned slightly closer and whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"Go and search about the Cee undercover men. You wouldn't want to mess with your son any longer," I said quietly. "And also, I've been quite patient these past few days concerning Judy's whereabouts. I know you'll be surprised how I found out what you did to her."
I paused briefly, letting my words sink in.
"Well… my stepbrother and I are closer than you expected."
I smiled faintly.
"If you want your secret to remain safe with me for the next two weeks, then make sure Judy is returned safely."
My eyes darkened slightly.
"If not… consider yourself dead. And I will do it myself."
With a calm smile still on my face, I reached out and smoothed his shirt, adjusting his collar like nothing had just happened.
The man who had given the order earlier stood frozen. It was obvious he didn't expect the control I had just displayed.
I stepped back and signaled to Felix.
Without another word, we both left the room.
We went straight to pack our luggage. There was no reason to stay any longer. Not after everything that had just happened.
Felix didn't say a word as we walked out of the villa.
Once we got into the car, he started the engine and drove off immediately.
For the first time since arriving there, I felt a sense of relief.
As we were heading toward Dr. Felix's apartment, I suddenly spoke.
"We need to stop at a location," I said calmly.
He glanced at me briefly but didn't interrupt.
"I want to show you something," I continued. "What you decide to do after that… is up to you."
He nodded and adjusted the direction without asking further questions.
We parked not too far from the location where Judy was being kept.
We entered the café first.
The waiter immediately recognized me and quietly led us toward the back, not without collecting the small gadget I handed over to him. He didn't ask questions.
We passed through the back door and continued on foot toward the hospital-like apartment where Judy was staying.
Felix's expression had already changed. There was urgency in his movements, even though he didn't say anything.
If only he knew…
When we got to the room, Judy was standing by the window, staring outside.
There was a longing look in her eyes.
A quiet emptiness.
Felix froze the moment he saw her back.
He wasn't expecting this.
He looked at me, then back at her, like he wasn't sure if what he was seeing was real.
Judy was completely unaware of our presence. She seemed lost in her thoughts.
I cleared my throat softly.
That was enough to get her attention.
She turned.
The longing in her eyes disappeared instantly, replaced by a bright, emotional smile.
Without hesitation, she pulled out the cannula from her hand, ignoring the blood, and rushed toward Felix.
"I missed you… I missed you so much," she cried as she held him tightly. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry for being your weakness. I'm sorry, baby…"
She kept repeating it over and over.
I stood there silently, watching them.
Even after everything she had been through—after being hurt by someone connected to the bag—she still chose to trust.
I couldn't understand it.
If only I could have even a fragment of what she had… maybe I would be able to trust someone too. Maybe I could have someone I could truly call my own without questioning everything.
After a while, Judy pulled back slightly.
"I know I've been your weakness," she said softly. "But can we use that weakness against your father?"
She hesitated.
"I'm asking for your permission… because he's still your father. I don't know the kind of bond you have with him. But if not…"
She trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.
Felix looked at her carefully.
"I don't want our cover blown yet," he said. "No one knows you're here except Cathy."
He paused.
"Let's talk about your idea properly. If it works, we'll use it."
He nodded slightly.
"I'll get back to you once I get home."
On our way back to the café, Felix finally spoke.
"How did you find her?"
I didn't hesitate.
"Mee J sent me her location," I replied calmly. "I only asked the waiter to confirm it. That's why I brought you there."
I glanced at him briefly.
"Besides… you know Judy and I don't talk."
He nodded slowly, accepting the answer.
We passed through the back door again, making it look like we had been in the café the entire time. It was necessary, especially since we had already noticed that his father had men watching our movements.
When we got to Felix's apartment, I didn't stay long.
I took a quick bath and changed into a spaghetti strap top and baggy jeans. After packing my tools and gadgets into my backpack, I wrote a short note and left it behind.
Don't look for me. I won't be around for months.
I had no intention of getting entangled in their situation any further.
The only thing I could do for them now was protect them from a distance—and I had already assigned my men to do that.
Besides, with everything that had happened, I knew Judy would eventually inform her father. And that was something I couldn't allow to connect back to me.
I returned to my cave.
The familiar warmth and quiet comfort settled around me immediately.
I opened my laptop and went straight to the file I had mistakenly clicked on earlier—Elorah.
There was something off.
I sent a message to my assistant.
"Find out how Elorah became the CEO of R&A Company. Also investigate the assistant who was supposed to be looking for me but ended up working with her."
I paused.
"There's more to this."
After that, I sent a message to Mr. Mason.
Attached to it was evidence of corruption within Mo Company.
Follow my plan if you want to expose your betrayers.
Jacqueline, from Elvin George.
Using my mother's name as a cover was necessary. I couldn't let him trace it back to me.
Finally, I sent a message to Brenda.
Freddy Elite Club. 8:00 PM.
Then I leaned back in my chair, staring at the screen.
Things were starting to move again.
And this time…
I was fully in control.