Chapter 19: New Feature
[System Notification]
New Feature Unlocked: Con Playbook.
Target Logged: Leo Kings.
Trust: 20%
Mind Push Resistance: Strong
Warning: Host cannot currently use Mind Push on this target.
Violet scanned the writing in front of her, and a look of surprise flashed across her face.
Seeing her draw her brows together as she stared into the empty space in front of her, Leo tapped his finger twice on the table. That caught her attention and she lifted her eyes.
She blinked rapidly, staring at Leo through the screen. The blue light fell across his face, tinting it faintly blue.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She cleared her throat and looked between him and the system.
She didn’t understand what this new feature was, or why it was only appearing now.
"Yes. I’m fine." she said. The panel disappeared.
"I asked a question."
Violet was a bit disoriented after seeing the new system feature, part of her brain was still trying to process it, so it took her a few seconds to remember what he’d asked.
"I felt sorry for you. We both wanted the same necklace, and it ended up with me. So, I decided to make it up to you." she replied plainly.
Leo didn’t believe her. If she were truly sorry, why would she take 60 million from him just to hand over that information?
As if Violet could read his mind, she added, "I’m a businesswoman, I could have easily approached any company. The 60 million was to ensure you’re the only one who gets the information. That’s if you’re willing to invest in the ultra-modern city."
That made sense to Leo, and he was somewhat reassured. Since he’d already given her the money, there was no way Frederick would get his hands on the information.
"Now, I think it’s only right for me to ask if you’re truly interested in joining us at Jill and Jones. I don’t want to keep assuming."
"Yes." Would he be here if he wasn’t interested?
"That means Kings Estate is ready to pay the sum of 2 billion?"
Leo didn’t get the chance to respond, his phone began ringing. Vincent’s name flashed across the screen.
He had directed Vincent not to call unless it was important.
"Sir, Madam Kings just collapsed and has been rushed to the hospital." Vincent informed him.
Leo’s grip on the phone tightened, his face draining of colour as the words sank in.
"Get the car ready." Leo instructed. His chair scraped the floor as he pushed it back roughly.
Violet was immediately alarmed. She rose to her feet too, and for a moment fear flashed across her face, had he caught on?
"Miss Kierra, I’m afraid this meeting will have to come to an abrupt end. I need to leave. Can we reschedule?" he asked.
Violet let out a breath of relief and nodded. "Of course."
Without another word, Leo dashed towards the door.
The moment the door closed, Violet relaxed into her chair and closed her eyes.
She didn’t know whether she should feel relieved that he’d left, or worried. She had only used what was available on the internet; the only thing she’d added was inserting herself into it.
But Leo was a smart man, he would surely order a thorough investigation into what she’d told him. She was even surprised he hadn’t already investigated her identity. He didn’t need to look too far to realise she wasn’t who she claimed to be.
"Did I overestimate his intelligence, or am I just being fortunate?" she asked herself.
She wondered if she should stop at 60 million and look for another client. But she decided against it. She was already in too deep, if she withdrew and disappeared now, it would only make her look more like a fraud.
Before she left, Violet decided to check out the new feature she’d seen on the screen earlier.
’System, what is that new feature?’
Con Playbook.
This feature tracks the Host’s designated scam targets. It compiles all information and research gathered by the Host and maintains a continuous record of the target’s activities. It will provide relevant intelligence pertaining to the scam and the target, and notify the Host of any news updates concerning them. This feature also monitors the Host’s relationship status with each target, including Trust Percentage and Mind Push Resistance Level.
Violet squinted, trying to wrap her head around this new information. Did this mean the system was now going to actively support her scams?
She felt a mixture of emotions. This would make her work so much easier. This system truly was a gift to her. She wondered what other features it had in store.
Just then, she heard a ding.
[System Notification]
News Update: Margaret Kings, Chairman of Kings Estate, has collapsed and been rushed to the hospital.
The moment she saw that update, she understood why Leo had left in such a hurry.
When Violet left the room, she was in a much better mood than when she’d arrived. One reason was that she was now 60 million richer, and the other was the new feature in her system.
Jen was waiting for her in the car. Her head rested on the headrest, eyes closed, chest rising and falling slowly. Violet had to knock on the window to wake her up.
She jumped awake and scratched her eyes, mumbling inaudible words under her breath. Violet knocked again, and when Jen turned toward the window, she flinched at the face suddenly in her line of sight.
When she realised it was Violet, she quickly opened the door for her. Violet walked around and slid into the car.
"I’m sorry about that, I didn’t mean to fall asleep while waiting. It’s just that I didn’t get enough sleep last night, and I..." She paused and inhaled a deep breath. "I’m sorry."
"It’s fine." Taking a quick nap wasn’t so bad. "But next time, I’d appreciate it if you stayed vigilant." Violet added that last part to seem strict. Her plan to keep Jen at arm’s length hadn’t changed.
She strapped the seatbelt over herself. "How was your meeting?" Jen asked. She didn’t give Violet a chance to reply before adding, "I saw Leo Kings leaving earlier, did you meet with him?"
"Don’t ask me questions." Violet said. One of the terms of their agreement was that Jen wasn’t allowed to inquire into her actions.
Jen slapped one hand over her lips, a wave of regret washing over her. She’d been carried away by her own curiosity and hadn’t even noticed the question slipping out. "I’m sorry, ma’am." she apologised.
"Did you get the warehouse?"
"Yes. I found a few, if you’re free we can go check them out so you can decide which one you want to go with."
Violet was free until Leo contacted her. They’d exchanged contact details when she gave him her account number earlier.
"I’m free. Let’s go check out the warehouses."