Chapter 73
The private lounge on the top floor had been meticulously prepared—flawless to the last detail. The manager had personally overseen every aspect, ensuring the space was immaculate. The table was adorned with an exquisite feast, and outside, fireworks burst across the night sky in vibrant hues. With a final bow, he dismissed the staff and turned to Isabella.
“Boss, your visit caught me off guard. I wish I could’ve prepared something more fitting,” he admitted, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Who could’ve predicted that two fools would dare to cause trouble right in front of the restaurant owner?
“Sebastian, you’ve done more than enough,” Isabella replied, her tone calm but firm. “Jasmine Restaurant runs smoothly because of you. But now, I need you to revoke Ethan Blackwood’s membership.”
Olivia, seated beside her, scoffed. “Honestly, they should be banned for life. No sense of decency, acting like rabid animals who don’t even understand basic manners.”
The manager nodded eagerly. “Consider it done. This won’t happen again.”
Truthfully, he didn’t need the reminder—Ethan’s disgraceful behavior had already landed him on the blacklist.
Isabella waved a hand dismissively. “You can leave now. Make sure no one disturbs us.”
“Yes, boss.”
Once alone, Isabella served Olivia a slice of abalone—her favorite. “I’m heading to the Kingsley estate on Monday to tutor Alexander’s niece,” she said, her brow furrowing slightly. “The kid won’t be an issue, but my mother’s whereabouts are tangled up with Cassandra’s. That’s the real problem. Cassandra has Alzheimer’s, barely remembers anything, and is kept in a high-security nursing home. I’ll need to find a way in.”
“Is this going to be difficult for you?” Olivia asked, unfazed, sliding a piece of white truffle onto Isabella’s plate. “With your skills, why not dive back into the hacker world? You could easily connect with top medical experts. Put out a bounty, dig into the Kingsley files—get all the intel you need.”
Isabella chewed thoughtfully. “True, but it’s not that simple.”
She’d considered it, but reviving the hacker network would take time and resources—rebuilding global systems alone would cost fifteen million dors. And that wasn’t even the biggest concern. “If my old enemies catch wind of it, every hitman in the world will come knocking. Right now, I just want peace. I’m tired of dodging assassins.”
Still, reviving the network was inevitable—her master’s final wish demanded it.
Olivia shrugged. “Don’t stress over money. I’ve got you covered. Fifteen million? A billion? Pocket change.”
Isabella chuckled. “You might be willing, but I can’t accept. Your father would have a heart attack.” She smirked. “Besides, money’s not the issue. I’m about to become the Kingsley family’s guardian—and guardians of my caliber don’t come cheap. Might as well squeeze some funds out of Alexander.”
“You really think he’ll hand over fifteen million that easily?” Olivia teased.
Isabella winked. “The money will find its way to me.”
Olivia rolled her eyes but didn’t press further. Money had never been her concern. “Isabella, let’s get serious. If killers come after you, how can I help?”
“When the time comes, I’ll need your family’s influence to erase my tracks abroad. I can’t cover every angle alone—your connections can handle that.”
Olivia’s eyes lit up. “Done. I’ll make sure everything’s spotless. Just say the word—I’m worried I won’t be able to do enough.”
They clinked glasses, laughing, and Olivia’s expression softened. “Remember when we first met? You weren’t this fearless. You were like a wild hedgehog—sharp, untouchable.”
Fate had a way of intervening. That guarded version of Isabella hadn’t hesitated to save her life, and from that moment, Olivia had stayed by her side.
Isabella exhaled, nostalgia washing over her. “I was reckless back then—drifting with no direction. If not for my master, I’d have rotted away on that desert island.”
Sensing the shift in mood, Olivia grinned. “Speaking of reckless—the international parkour competition’s coming up. You should enter. Clear your head.”
Isabella’s eyes gleamed. “Not a bad idea.”
She hadn’t trained in ages, and the thrill of a challenge called to her.
For some reason, Alexander came to mind—the man who played the role of a wheelchair-bound CEO so convincingly. Yet, when they’d faced assassins in Athton, he’d radiated danger.
Instead of unnerving her, it intrigued her.
Like an extreme sport.
Fascinating.
