After a brief and silent breakfast, Arias parted ways with Raven, telling her to introduce herself to the other residents and explain her situation.
With people like her, who preferred to be alone, Arias felt it would be better for her to form so kind of friendship with Harley or Diana.
Despite the potential she had, Arias wasn't about to dedicate all his ti to her. At the end of the day, she was a want... not a need.
Imdiately after leaving his residential building, Arias headed to Markovic Tower, where he found rcy looking visibly upset.
"Is there ever a ti you're not upset? It's like it cos naturally with you," Arias mocked charmingly as he approached her.
rcy continued to glare at Arias before replying, "Is there ever a ti you're not full of yourself?"
Arias played off the remark like it had nothing to do with him, instead bringing up another topic.
"Always. Moving on, I want you to arrange a few things for . I'll be having a very busy night."
Usually one to be vague, Arias's instructions didn't surprise rcy. She could only wonder what he was planning.
What she did know was that whenever Arias did sothing grand, she would have her own bulk of work to deal with. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look irritated.
"More work for you or for ?"
"Does it matter? Anyway, I've already forwarded you the list. It's nothing major."
Arias casually replied while walking into his office, intending to pass ti while he waited for nightfall.
...
Ti flew, and as the sun was beginning to set in Star City, a jumpy Oliver Queen could be seen lounging in his office chair, his eyes narrowed at the black monitor before him.
His finger rhythmically tapped the desk in a stressed manner, his expression also looking rather unwell.
Soon though, his expression sparked to life when his phone vibrated, causing him to imdiately pick it up and answer.
"I've been waiting for your call. Anything?" he asked, his tone carrying so concern.
[No, Arias Markovic still hasn't gone anywhere aside from his ho and office.]
"Alright, keep updated when that changes, especially if he leaves Gotham City."
Oliver could only sigh and shake his head. He had thought things were moving okay, only to be alerted by Lois about what had transpired between her and Arias.
Oliver held so confidence that Arias didn't know his identity, but he didn't want to risk it either, so he hired a group to watch Arias's movents anonymously.
If indeed Arias was coming, he'd be prepared.
Cutting the call, Oliver let out an exasperated sigh. In the next mont, he heard a knock on his door, causing him to sit upright and fix his expression.
"Co in."
Following his words, the door opened, revealing the figure of his secretary, lanie.
"Good evening, Mr. Quee—*ahem* Oliver. I ca to tell you I'll also be clocking off soon. My parents are visiting, so..."
The beautiful woman spoke shyly, avoiding Oliver's gaze.
This brought a smile to his face, briefly making him forget the precarious situation he was in.
"No worries, you know you don't have to work late just because I am. And feel free to take your family out anywhere in the city, courtesy of the company."
The young woman's eyes widened, and she smiled happily.
"Oh, I don't want to impose. Plus, others might start talking—"
"Nonsense. Just go and treat your family to a good ti, okay? I wouldn't want them thinking my company isn't treating their lovely daughter well."
Oliver insisted in a charming manner, bringing an even brighter smile to lanie's face.
"Thank you, Oliver. I'll see you on Monday."
In the end, she no longer tried to reject the offer and just accepted it politely, showing Oliver a final smile before leaving the office.
...
Shortly after saying her goodbyes to Oliver, lanie could be seen walking out of Queen Industries with a bright expression on her face.
She quickly hailed a company car and was driven off in a hurry to avoid traffic.
"Argh! Why does he have to be so charming? Don't do it, lanie. This isn't a movie. Why would a billionaire like a small-town girl like anyway?"
lanie spoke rapidly to herself, showing a confused expression while wondering how she should approach her budding office relationship.
Given Oliver's looks, wealth, and charisma, it was no surprise that the more she worked with him, the more she fell for him, despite his sowhat notorious reputation as a playboy.
After a 20-minute drive, fantasizing and processing her thoughts, lanie arrived at her ho within a secure gated community, one of the many perks of working directly under a billionaire.
As she was parking by her ho, she found a less luxurious car parked just on the side, causing her to smile.
"I guess Mom still hasn't convinced Dad to let ole Bethany go."
lanie laughed reminiscently, thinking back to her mories in the dirty pickup truck growing up.
Upon exiting the vehicle, she walked over to her door, whose security system required retina recognition. Only she, her parents, and the chief of security were registered.
After the security check, the door clicked open, and she pushed it open with a smile, calling out, "Mom, Dad, I'm ho!"
lanie wore a bright smile as she spoke but received no response, causing her enthusiasm to dwindle as she showed a perplexed expression.
"I'm sure they fell asleep watching TV again. It is football season, after all."
lanie reached her own conclusion and began pacing toward the living room after leaving her heels in the entryway.
Upon entering the living room, though, she froze at the sight before her.
Her parents, two elderly people, were tightly bound by their wrists and legs, their mouths gagged.
Both were visibly struggling, eyes wide with fear, as small murmurs escaped their covered mouths.
"Mom! Dad! W-what's going on?!"
Panic gripped the young woman's heart as she rushed over to her parents, her first instinct being that this was perhaps a robbery.
However, as she got close, her parents only looked more concerned, shaking their heads as if telling her not to try and help.
lanie proceeded to remove her father's gag, and he imdiately yelled out, "l, she's still here! You've got to run and get help!"
"What? Who's here—"
Before lanie could understand the situation, she felt a sharp sting on her neck, followed by a numbing sensation that spread throughout her body.
Her eyelids grew heavy, and her vision blurred as she mumbled, "Wh-what..."
Without finishing her sentence, her body slumped to the ground. Behind her stood Cheshire, her face covered by a mask, different from her usual attire.
She looked at the frightened elderly couple and gestured for them to keep quiet.
"No need to look so frightened. As long as you do what I say, your precious little girl won't get butchered."
...
As ti passed and night fully fell over Star City, Oliver himself was preparing to leave his office to attend to other matters as Green Arrow. However, just before he could, his phone rang.
"Hello?"
[Mr. Queen! *sob* please... my parents... please...]
A crying lanie's voice could be heard on the other side of the call, clearly shaken by sothing.
Before she could say more, another voice took over—hoarse, female, but clearly altered by a voice changer.
[I think what the girl was trying to say was, co to her residence. Alone. Or her parents die right in front of her.]
"Who is this?!" Oliver demanded in great anger, but the other side wasn't fazed.
[You have 20 minutes. For each minute you delay, I take a finger off the girl. Tick tock, Mr. Queen.]
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