44 Well, Well, Well. How The Turntables
I brought out my phone, activated an... insurance policy and placed it back in my pocket.
It was ti to set things straight.
I stepped out into the hallway, hands behind my back as if I was strolling by. I watched them kiss as I approached before I cleared my throat.
Oliver and Margot jolted apart like kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. They stood there, frozen in place, eyes wide. It would've been a funny scene to have on cara but there was no need to go that far.
"Hey, uh... Nico, right?" Oliver said nervously, his voice cracking a bit. He smiled, a smile so
... brittle that a feather would be able to break it.
"This isn't what it looks like." He said.
"Yes! Olly- I an, Oliver's right." Margot said frantically, eyes darting between and Oliver. "It's not what it looks like. You just… you just walked in at a weird ti, that's all."
I nodded, keeping a big smile on my face. While my nod was saying 'I understand,' my smile was saying 'I caught you red handed.'
I stood there, not saying anything while my eyes flicker from Margot to Oliver and then back again.
Do you know how powerful Silence can be? It's so uncomfortable it makes people scramble to fill the gaps themselves. And right now, it was working.
"It's really not what it looks like." Oliver said but with the smile on my face, he could tell I wasn't convinced and decided to change tactics.
"Okay, it did look like a kiss but that's how we greet each other in the Adams family."
"Yes! Oliver's right." Margot jumped in, nodding like the world was at stake. Maybe it was for her. "That's how we greet each other in our family."
I raised a brow that said, 'really?'
The two of them kept talking, digging themselves into a deeper hole, trying to explain away what was obvious to anyone with eyes.
When they finally saw that I wasn't buying anything they were saying, they changed tactics again.
15:35
They exchanged glances before Oliver cleared his throat and looked at , forcing another smile.
"So, let's be real here." He chuckled but I could tell that it took him effort to produce that chuckle. "I an… there must be sothing we can… offer, right? You're a businessman."
I tilted my head like I was considering the offer and Margot jumped in, eager to convince .
I could practically hear the desperation in her voice as she spoke.
"Nico, was it? Listen. We don't want any complications here, okay?" She glanced nervously at Oliver, then back at , her smile almost pleading. "So, just tell us what you need."
"How about this?" I spoke and they both leaned in. "I would like to discuss with... Mr. Adams... Can I call you Oliver?" I asked him and he nodded. At this point, I was sure he'd agree to anything I say.
"Perfect. Whatever you guys were doing before I got here, it's none of my business." Coupled with the big smile on my face, they of course, didn't believe that for one second.
"All I want is to discuss my personal matters with Oliver here."
"Of course." Oliver nodded eagerly. "We can make it work."
"Thank you." I nodded before turning to look at Margot expectantly.
She stared at before her eyes widened in realization. "Oh. Yes." She glanced between the two of us, hesitated, and then turned, going back to the elevator.
We watched as she entered with a last look at us. The elevator door closed and it began moving down.
Once she was gone, I turned back to Oliver who opened the door to his suite and gestured for to enter.
I shook my head, gesturing for him to enter first.
He hesitated before entering. I followed him in. The suite was so beautiful. it wouldn't look out of place as a penthouse apartnt.
He gestured to the chairs and I sat on one, crossing my legs like I owned the place.
He sat down slowly, trying to regain his composure. I sat silently, waiting for him to calm himself. There's no use battling a weak opponent. When he finally t my gaze, he had his cool expression back on his face and for a mont, I gave him a genuine grin.
This was what I wanted to see. It would make my victory all that sweeter.
"Look." He said calmly. "I owe you an apology. My words yesterday about your venture. They were… unnecessarily harsh."
He leaned forward, his elbows on his thigh and his fingers laced in the middle. "It wasn't personal."
I raised a brow with a smile of mock surprise on my face. "Oh? I didn't think you even noticed ."
Oliver kept his expression neutral but I saw as he gritted his teeth. "I do rember you, Nico and I'll admit, I regret the way I spoke."
"Hmm." I tapped my fingers thoughtfully on the arm of my chair. "That's very kind of you to say, Oliver."
He watched carefully hoping I'd move on and let him off the hook. When I didn't continue, he cleared his throat, trying to redirect. "So, what is it that you need, Nico?"
I tilted my head, smiling at him. "Who said I need anything?"
"Then, why did you co here in the first place?" He asked with a forced laugh. "Wasn't it to talk to in the first place?"
"Well…" I shrugged, glancing around the suite as if I was appreciating the decor.
"As I'm sure you know, I ca to Monaco hoping to get investors interested in my boutique hotel but… a certain soone tore down my dream like it was wet paper."
I glanced back at him to see him avert his eyes.
"So, that's why I'm here, figuring out how to make ends et. I got myself a job in housekeeping since no investor would touch my business with a ten foot pole."
No matter what he did, he couldn't hide the frustration on his face. "Look. Just tell what you want. Is it an investnt? I'll do it. Just forget what you saw today."
I leaned forward, my smile fading. It was ti to strike.
"Look, Oliver. We both know that if I leave this room without you giving sothing, you're going to be up all night worrying about what I might do."
I paused, watching him, before adding. "And when people worry, they tend to do things they might regret."
Oliver kept up his stoic expression.
"So, let's try our best to avoid that, alright?" I waited for him to nod. "I don't blackmail people, Oliver."
That was a big lie. I do blackmail people.
"I'm simply here to make sure we both sleep well tonight." I said.
He sighed, resigned. "What do you want from ?"
I leaned back, keeping my expression calm and pleasant. "I only have one request." I paused, savoring the mont. "A request." I emphasized with a big smile. "You can choose not to do it."
We both knew that was a lie. He had no other choice.
"I request that you restore the reputation of my project. Publicly invest in Sunset Inn. Let the world know that you're now backing it."
Oliver clenched his jaw, his expression resigned. "Fine." He said quietly. "I'll do it."
"Great." I said brightly, reaching into my pocket and pulling out my phone. "Just one more thing, Oliver. Are you comfortable with recording all this? You know, for… clarity."
His eyes flicked to the phone, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head.
I'd been recording the whole thing, including his and Margot's explanations. Like I said, it was my insurance policy.
His eyes flicked up to mine and I could see him weighing the pros and cons of attacking right then and there.
"And just so we're clear, if anything happens to the recording, it automatically uploads to the cloud." I said, keeping up my big smile. "Technology these days, right?"
I waited, watching his expression. Finally, he sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat.
"It's fine." He muttered, his voice barely audible.
"You said?" I asked like I didn't hear him.
"It's fine!" He snapped.
"Good to hear." I grinned, slipping the phone back into my pocket. I had him on tape, approving the recording.
I stood, extending my hand. "Thank you for granting my request, Mr. Adams."
He hesitated but eventually reached out, giving a firm handshake.
I gave him a final grin before turning to leave. I walked to the door, paused and turned back.
"Oh, one more thing." I raised a finger as if I just rembered sothing. "I need you to use that special key card of yours for the guest elevator. I'd love to experience it. I hear it's sothing special."
He gritted his teeth before speaking. "I'll grant you access."
I flashed him a smile. "Much appreciated."
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