----
"This is your idea of a fancy dinner?"
Jessica looked incredulously at the upscale private dining room, where a gourt chef was preparing... noodles.
"You liked it the last ti, didn't you? So I flew in a specialist all the way from Southeast Asia just for you."
A savory aroma wafted through the air. Jessica's eyes widened. "Slls amazing."
"Dig in."
Two bowls were placed on the table. Jessica wasted no ti, slurping the noodles enthusiastically. Monts later, she leaned back and let out a contented sigh.
"I'm stuffed."
"There's one more thing," Nolan said with a smile, placing a small velvet box on the table.
Jessica eyed it suspiciously. "You're not about to propose, are you? We've barely known each other a month."
Nolan chuckled. "Not quite. Just open it."
Inside, a custom-designed necklace glittered under the light her na spelled in diamonds.
Jessica blinked, stunned. She was never one to be taken in by glamor, but this hit her sowhere soft. She had a history with shiny things, after all. Once called "Jewel," her taste for sparkle ran deep.
"This... this is for ?" she whispered, almost disbelieving.
Nolan nodded. "It's been a long ti coming."
He stepped around the table and carefully clasped the necklace around her neck.
"How do I look?" she asked, her voice light, flirtatious.
"Beautiful," Nolan replied.
"Well, since I look so good... shouldn't you buy a drink?"
"If that's what you want."
Jessica's gaze shimred with warmth. Nolan could see it he had her. All his carefully calculated charm, his psychology tricks, his patience it had worked.
She was finally his.
---
In a quiet, dimly lit room, they sat facing each other, red wine swirling in their glasses.
"Do you really like ?" Jessica asked suddenly.
"From the mont I t you," Nolan said smoothly. "You blew away."
"You better not be lying. I hate being lied to."
"I would never lie to you. What's wrong?"
Jessica just shook her head. "Nothing."
She lifted her glass and gave it a soft sniff. "This wine slls... strong."
"It's one of my private blends. Give it a try."
"Is it any good?"
"You'll love it."
"You're not trying to get drunk, are you?"
Nolan gave a soft laugh. "It just relaxes you. Makes the world feel... lighter."
Jessica raised an eyebrow, then drank the entire glass.
A mont later, she rubbed her forehead. "Whoa. This stuff hits fast."
She leaned toward Nolan, swaying slightly. "You didn't... spike this, did you?"
Nolan grinned. "Just my own little recipe. Makes you feel like you're floating."
"It's... good."
Her head dropped onto his shoulder, her arms going limp around him. Nolan inhaled deeply, her scent filling his nose. Finally, he thought.
He pulled out his encrypted phone.
"It's done—"
Jessica's eyes snapped open.
"What's done?"
Nolan froze, eyes locking with hers. She was perfectly lucid.
"I asked what's done," she repeated.
Jessica's fist shot forward, slamming into Nolan's stomach. He barely flinched.
"Why did you lie to ?! WHY DID YOU LIE TO ?!"
Her voice cracked with rage, her expression twisted in betrayal.
Nolan took two steps back, calm as ever. "I'm just curious how you figured it out."
"I got word that Matt had gone missing," Jessica spat. "Started digging. Traced it back to your friend, Klaue. Then, soone sent an anonymous ssage saying the entire warehouse ambush was staged. That you were never in danger."
Her voice trembled with fury. "I thought you were different. I thought you were the light pulling out of the dark."
She took a shuddering breath.
"You get one chance. This ti, I'm walking away. If I see you again I'll kill you."
Jessica turned to go.
"Wait."
She stopped.
"What now?" she said coldly.
"You're not feeling dizzy?"
"I took a counter-agent before dinner. I knew you'd try sothing."
"Really?" Nolan tilted his head. "Then why'd you accept the necklace?"
Jessica's eyes widened and then her neck seized with pain. A paralyzing jolt ran down her spine.
"You... you wired the necklace?!"
Rage and heartbreak twisted together inside her. She had wanted to believe him. Wanted the lie to be real.
Jessica scread, lunging forward with a brutal punch. Nolan ducked, rolling across the room. As he reached the bed, he pulled a shield out from underneath it just as her fist ca crashing down.
"Strong," he said, blocking. "But sloppy."
He swept her legs with a powerful kick, sending her sprawling. Before she could rise, a small tallic sphere rolled toward her.
It exploded in a net of electricity.
Jessica scread as thousands of volts surged through her body. She twitched, eyes rolling back but didn't fall.
She roared, pushing up with trembling arms, forcing herself upright.
Nolan stepped back, raising his shield again.
Jessica lunged, knees aid for his ribs but Nolan anticipated her perfectly, dodging backward.
"You're tougher than I thought," he said.
Jessica's vision blurred. Her muscles gave out. She staggered, then collapsed.
He caught her before she hit the floor.
"Finally," Nolan murmured, cradling her unconscious body in his arms.
"The fish is in the net."
----
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