"I just want to go back to Los Angeles. Why is this popping up? Why am I even being invited?"
"Sorry. Albert Chase literally kicked you to the top. I thought you'd at least have a good relationship with the man."
"Still doesn't explain why I'm being asked to co."
"He might have left you sothing…"
"You an sothing other than the billion dollars' worth of shares he handed ?"
"Is that so hard for you to imagine?"
"Yes. And you seem to be forgetting how the jealousy of his family—and the people around him—has made Michigan a hot zone for us. I can't breathe freely in this state."
The plan was for to be on my way to Los Angeles by this evening, but now Denise was telling she had suddenly received information that there would be a hearing for Albert's will the day after tomorrow.
Just a day of warning wasn't enough for sothing like this. I should have been inford at least four days earlier. Now here I was, lost.
"The family mbers might just plan your demise after hearing the will. Isn't it better you got there and be among them?"
"Among a bunch of enemies?"
"Well, it's broad daylight. The Arican law still stands, does it not?"
"Not if they can kill , you, and every other person aware of my whereabouts."
"Does this an you're not going?"
"Like you said, there might be sothing waiting for ."
Bowing her head to hide her face, Denise let out an amused smile. Then she raised her head.
I saw the bright glint of amusent before her expression turned serious again—and her next words made groan.
"You understand that for this, we'll have to call her in, right?"
Urghhhh!!
"She knows the family best, knows Albert better. Not utilizing her is like entering a boxing match with one hand tied behind your back—especially when you consider we haven't won any of the previous matches."
"How can I argue with such logic? Just bring her in."
Not hiding the short smile that spread across her face, Denise stood to her feet, poured another drink, and then exited the room.
Still dressed in her black pyjamas, Denise's ass bounced quite widely in the loose fabric, and I entertained myself with the sight until she exited.
"Let's do a bit of exploring."
Echo!
In no ti, a 3D model of Denise's mansion popped into my head. First snooping through her study, I gradually scoured the entire mansion.
"Four hidden compartnts, three safes, and one hidden door leading to…"
It took her so minutes, but eventually Denise returned with the woman ant to be an expert. Her white pyjamas helped accentuate the innocent look she currently had on.
Moving closer with the new woman, Denise retook her seat on the couch, while the dark-haired woman stood so ters ahead of .
"Mr. Lawson, how may I be of service?"
"It's fast, how life changes, isn't it?
"So ti ago, your biggest worry was how to graduate from college. Then it was getting a job. Then it was getting a spouse, then wedlock… and now? Servitude to the highest bidder. That bidder, at the mont, being ."
Finishing with this set of words, silence reigned throughout the room, the sight of smoke rising from my stick quite iconic.
"Grace, how are you?"
"I'm fine, sir."
"Has Denise told you anything about why you're here?"
"No, sir."
"I'll fill you in then.
There's a chance that Albert didn't think what he had already left was enough. I've been told to co to the reading of his will.
What do you think about that?"
Grace's lips pressed tightly together as she went into thought, her eyes straying to the ceiling. Before a minute passed, she opened her mouth.
"It's not sothing I like to let out, considering Chase was my biggest client, but as much as I was his lawyer, there were a lot of barriers between us. I wasn't the person he confided in—I was the person he sent on errands.
After thinking about this whole situation with the Alberts, the family, and Regan Bastion, I've co to the conclusion that there's more to the 7% shares you were given.
Albert had a lot of secrets, and I believe he has, in so way, involved you in his deepest and most impactful one."
"That's deep, but it's not sothing I haven't at least vaguely thought about." Denise folded her arms.
"I've checked the letters and the contracts handed to Marcus. Other than the shares, there's nothing else given."
"Well, I guess it's like they say—patience. If you could find what was passed down so easily, it would've already been snatched.
My advice right now is that you use this event to make a friend from amongst your perceived enemies."
"Look at that, another angle," I muttered, flicking my finger against my empty glass and informing Denise to refill it.
Grace went silent while my glass was being filled, and only after that did she continue.
"With Albert dead, the family has no head. Different ideologies have risen up; everyone wants to be at the top. There's a high chance that factions will be created. And if factions are created, then it's a must that a weaker side will erge.
That weaker side is your target. Promise them sothing, and they will follow you."
"I was just telling Marcus here to get to know his enemies better, but you're bringing a deeper approach," Denise said. And despite being seated compared to Grace, who stood, I could feel an atmosphere of suppression coming from her against the poor woman.
"I hope you have more for her."
"I do," Grace nodded.
"Lia Caster, as you must know, is Albert Chase's wife.
In the presence of her husband, she stood as a supporter, pushing him onward to achieve his goals. Well, that's what I know.
Now that her husband is gone, the lioness, rather than look for another king, she has stepped up to lead the pride, displaying a ruthlessness no one expected.
Her need to secure all her husband's gains and ensure his empire keeps rising has led to Lia increasing the pressure on her children, pushing them to do better.
Now, this is where Tracy Caster cos in…"
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