Chapter 68: Fool’s Game
No. Absolutely not. I am not working with that devious omega. Never. I thought he’d pick someone with a sensible mind, even Augi would be better than her.
"You know," I say quickly, forcing a smile that feels more like a grimace, "now that I think about it, Spade should go bolder in its design. I promise you, we’ll deliver the Whales Resort will be the best of the best. There will be no design like it, nothing comparable. It will be the kind of place people from all over the world will want to visit." I exhale, adding, "So there’s really no need for a CFO. We’ll do exactly as you asked."
I can’t believe I’m breaking Spade Industries’ principles just because I don’t want to work with that witch. I know she had a hand in Lorali’s kidnapping.
And maybe he did too? He’s her husband. A criminal. Could he really not have known what she was up to? But then again, if he was involved, why would he link me up with Tobey, the best in the field at finding Lorali? If he orchestrated her kidnapping, that would be a foolish move.
"Oh really? That’s great. I guess the CFO won’t be necessary. Arabella will be so disappointed." He sighs, stabbing at his salad, his fork scraping against the porcelain plate.
I nod awkwardly, glancing down at my watch. My stomach twists. "Is this all you invited me to discuss?"
I’ve been here for three hours. The city lights outside the glass walls are beginning to light as the sun sets. I still have to see my mother. Lorali is home alone, well, as alone as you can be in a house of seven, none of whom I trust. I don’t like leaving her for long periods.
"Yeah, that’s all," Mr. Masintosh confirms, his tone casual, as if he hasn’t just tried to hand me over to Arabella.
"Do you want a sweet?" he asks suddenly, reaching into his pocket and pulling out one of his hard candies.
Goodness. Does this man travel with those things everywhere? They’re not even good.
"No, thank you. I’ll take my leave," I say, rising from my chair, brushing invisible dust from my blazer.
"But your meal," he adds, gesturing toward my untouched plate.
"Actually, I have somewhere to be. Next time, for sure."
I’m already nearing the elevator, pressing the button. The hum of the machinery fills the silence. It doesn’t take long before the clear glass elevator glides to my floor.
"Goodbye. Till next time," I wave him off as I step inside.
He waves back, popping the sweet he offered me earlier into his mouth, smiling at me as the doors close. I can still see him through the glass, his grin lingering, watching me descend.
And yes, this is one of Boleyn’s restaurants. They don’t own it, they just got the tender to build it. Spade would never make an elevator out of glass. Too many risks. Too many costs. Too many ways for things to shatter. The court case against us would cost us a lot of money.
Going down from the highest floor, the glass elevator provides me with a sweeping view of each level as I descend. My eyes wander lazily until something catches them, a flash of pink, unmistakable and standing out on the buffet floor. Arabella. That shade of hair is impossible to miss. But that’s not the odd part. It’s the person beside her, the one she’s smiling at, holding a plate as if they’re sharing a casual meal.
Tobey.
I’d recognize that buzz‑cut head from space. My stomach twists. Why is Arabella with Tobey? And why do they look so incredibly close, leaning toward each other, laughing like old friends or lovers?
The elevator glides past the floor before I can look further, carrying me straight down to the lobby. My hand hovers over the panel, debating whether to press the button and go back up, to investigate. But that’s too risky. If they’re together, if they’re truly connected, then Tobey may have been relaying all his findings to her all along. That would explain why it took so long to find Lorali.
My intuition was right. That pink‑haired devil was involved in Lorali’s kidnapping. And now I’m guessing Tobey was too. But if that’s the case, why would he help me find her? Why would he play both sides? Unless... unless helping me was part of the game, a way to keep me close and blind.
This needs to be investigated.
Leaving the restaurant building, I stride quickly to my car, scanning the street to make sure no one is following me. My pulse is racing as my mind buzzes with suspicion. Once inside, I shut the door firmly, the sound echoing like a seal. I lower my voice, dialing my assistant.
"Hello, sir," Vun answers immediately, not even a second into the call.
"Hello, Vun. Please send me the account number you paid Tobey into." If I have his account number, I can trace him, find out who this man really is, and from there, see how he connects to Arabella.
"Oh... well, he never sent any of his account details or came for the money," Vun says nervously, his tone cracking. "What?" My voice rises, fury boiling. "Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?"
Tobey didn’t come for his money? That’s insane. All that man ever wanted was money when we first met. Every time, I paid him in cash. The only time it was supposed to be through card was for the remainder he was to be paid after he found Lorali. And now, suddenly, he doesn’t want it?
"I’m sorry, sir. I thought he would show up at some point," Vun stammers, sounding like he’s about to cry. It’s his first mistake in five years of working for me. I rub my forehead, exhaling hard. "It’s alright. But if he shows, call me immediately."
"Yes, sir," he whispers.
I hang up, tossing my phone onto the front passenger seat with a quick motion. My chest tightens and my jaw clenches. Something is happening here, something bigger than I realized. I can’t put my finger on it yet, but I know one thing, I’m being played for a fool.
I grip the steering wheel, staring out at the city lights. I will uncover the truth. I will dig until every lie is exposed. Only then will I know what truly happened to Lorali. Only then will I have closure.
And I swear, I will uncover this if it’s the last thing I do.