Lucius watched as Layla left with Aiden, heading to her workplace for the day. He had promised to pick her up in the evening, ensuring she felt his presence even in small gestures. Descending the grand staircase of the mansion, Lucius adjusted his cuffs and prepared to head to the office. The mont he stepped outside, however, he noticed Roger pacing nervously in the foyer.
Pausing near the open door of the car, where the driver patiently awaited him, Lucius arched a brow. "Roger," he called, his tone sharp but curious. "What’s with the restless pacing this morning? Did sothing happen?"
Roger imdiately straightened, glancing at Lucius with visible hesitation. "Boss, did Madam not tell you?"
Lucius frowned slightly, sensing there was more to this than idle pacing. "What exactly was she supposed to tell ?" he asked, folding his arms as he awaited an explanation.
Roger hesitated, his gaze flickering downward for a brief mont before he blurted, "Sylvia ca by this morning."
The na alone was enough to make Lucius’ expression tighten. "Sylvia?" he repeated, a hint of irritation lacing his voice. "Why would she show up here, of all places?"
"It’s because of , Boss," Roger admitted quickly, stepping closer, his unease palpable.
Lucius’ eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his voice. "And what exactly did you do to bring Sylvia here?"
Roger’s breath hitched as he struggled to find the right words. "I... I didn’t an for it to happen, Boss," he stamred, his voice faltering under the weight of his own guilt. "It won’t happen again. I swear. Please... don’t punish ."
Lucius’ expression darkened further. "Don’t tell you managed to anger Sylvia," he said, the edge in his voice cutting. "If she ca here to bother Layla and because of your actions, then forget it. She is like that."
"I kissed her," Roger interrupted, his voice trembling. His gaze dropped to the ground as his face flushed with sha. "I didn’t harass her, Boss, I swear. She called a filthy bastard, and I... I lost control. I kissed her out of anger, thinking it would annoy her enough to rember and leave alone." He sighed deeply, wringing his hands. "It was a mistake. I want to apologize, but Madam Layla advised not to go alone and to seek your guidance."
Lucius exhaled slowly, brushing his hair back from his forehead as a sardonic smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You’re telling Sylvia used this as an excuse to co here and stir up trouble?"
Roger remained silent, his shoulders hunched under the weight of Lucius’ scrutiny.
"Listen carefully," Lucius continued, his tone firm but dismissive. "Go apologize if you feel you must, but handle it yourself. I have no intention of involving myself with Sylvia any further. She thrives on dragging into her petty gas, and I won’t give her the satisfaction."
With that, Lucius slid into the car. Roger hesitated, gripping the car door handle tightly before ducking his head inside. "Boss, I can’t go see her alone. She’s a witch. Please, help ," he pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.
Lucius glanced at him, visibly annoyed. "Why didn’t you just ignore her? You already know what she’s like," he retorted. "If she’s claiming harassnt, then what she did to was harassnt too."
Roger’s brows furrowed, curiosity piqued. "What did she do to you, Boss?"
Lucius’ eyes darkened montarily as he recalled an unpleasant mory. "She kissed on the cheek," he said sharply, his tone leaving no room for further questioning. "Fully aware that I’m married."
Roger’s mouth opened slightly, but he quickly shut it when Lucius shot him a glare. "I’m late for the office," Lucius added curtly.
Recognizing the dismissal, Roger sighed and reluctantly closed the car door. After a mont, he settled into the passenger seat beside the driver. As the engine roared to life, Lucius turned his attention back to Roger.
"One more thing, Roger," Lucius said, his tone stern yet composed. "Don’t go near Sylvia again. She’s a manipulator. She uses people and has a knack for making others feel worthless. Avoid her."
Roger nodded silently, grateful for the advice. But just as he thought the conversation was over, Lucius shifted gears.
"Did you find anything on Ruby?" Lucius asked, leaning back in his seat, his sharp gaze fixed on Roger.
Roger perked up at the ntion of Ruby and imdiately leaned forward, retrieving a file from his bag. "Yes, Boss. I gathered all the details about her." Handing the file to Lucius, he continued, "Ruby isn’t just any ordinary woman. She owns a multi-million-dollar apartnt in one of the most luxurious residential complexes in the city. And... I saw her with David again last night."
Lucius humd thoughtfully, flipping through the file. His expression turned unreadable as he scanned the information. It didn’t take him long to spot the key detail he hadn’t expected.
"Layla and Ruby studied at the sa university," Lucius muttered, recognizing the prestigious institution’s na. "But their schools were different..."
Roger glanced at him, waiting for further reaction.
Lucius tapped his finger against the open file, his mind racing. Ruby wasn’t as straightforward as she had seed. Despite her seemingly simple deanor, she ca from an affluent family, a fact she had deliberately kept hidden—even from Layla.
"So, she’s been playing a different ga all along," Lucius murmured to himself, his lips curling into a faint, humorless smile. "Interesting."
Lucius flipped through the remaining pages of the file, his eyes narrowing as he read the details. His hand paused over one particular entry, and his jaw tightened. "She’s the daughter of Henry Cowell and Diana Cowell?" he exclaid, his tone filled with surprise. "To my knowledge, they control the largest diamond trading group in the world."
"That’s correct, Boss," Roger confird. "But Ruby doesn’t live with her parents, and I couldn’t uncover why. What I did find is that she started dating David six months ago." He hesitated for a mont before adding, "What surprises is that Madam Layla doesn’t seem to know any of this."
"Perhaps Ruby wants to keep her background a secret," Lucius speculated, his voice cold and calculated as he continued to process the information.
Roger nodded but then spoke cautiously. "She seems harmless to , Boss. But David... he’s your business rival. Ruby’s personal life does seem to have so complications."
Lucius shot Roger a sharp glance. "No assumptions without evidence," he said firmly. "I need you to dig deeper into Ruby and David. Yes, David is my business rival, but let’s not forget the ti he hired a gang to target . Ruby’s connection to Layla makes this personal. I cannot afford to take risks—not when it concerns Layla."
Roger straightened. "Understood, Boss," he replied.
The car fell into silence for a mont before Roger broke it with a hesitant remark. "By the way, Boss, Madam Layla asked this morning if you were in a eting last night. Do you think it’s wise to keep her in the dark? She’s already suspicious. I feel she just wants to share the burden you carry."
Lucius leaned back, his expression unreadable. "I’ll tell her when the ti is right," he said flatly.
Roger sighed but didn’t press the matter further. "Very well, Boss. Is there anything else?"
"Yes," Lucius said after a pause. "Clear my schedule for next week. I’ll be making a trip to Russia."
Roger’s head snapped toward him. "Russia? Why?" he asked, alard. "Boss, your father is set to announce the new chairman next week. You can’t afford to be absent."
"It’ll only be for a day," Lucius assured him. "I need to verify sothing personally."
"What is it you need to verify?" Roger asked, his tone laced with concern. "I can go in your place, Boss."
Lucius shook his head firmly. "No. You’re staying here. I’ll handle this alone."
Roger stared at Lucius, realization dawning on him. "It’s about Tsar, isn’t it?" he guessed. His voice dropped lower, more serious. "Boss Matteo never told you about him because he didn’t think it was relevant. If Tsar finds out you’re looking for him—"
Lucius cut him off, his voice sharp and laced with anger. "Matteo didn’t tell because he knew I’d kill Tsar the mont I found out. Matteo died because of . Don’t you rember his last words?"
Roger froze as Lucius’ voice rose, his grief bleeding into his tone. The pain on Lucius’ face was undeniable, and it was clear this wound had never healed.
Lowering his eyes, Roger realized just how much Lucius was carrying. In that mont, he made a decision. Layla had to know. Even if Lucius would kill him for revealing his plans, Roger didn’t care. His priority now was protecting Lucius—from his enemies and, more importantly, from himself.
"Don’t even think about telling Layla. I’ll not kill you but abandon you," Lucius warned him. "You better not test ," he added.
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