Chapter 2 · His Secretary, My Spy

I stepped out onto the balcony and dialed a number.

"Dad," I said.

My father's steady voice came through the line. "How's it going?"

"The fish is hooked, Dad," I replied.

I glanced at the closed study door, my voice calm and steady. "Cyrus is starting to trust Judith. Tomorrow is the first step."

"Good. Leona, I'm sorry you have to go through this," my father said.

"It's okay." I said softly, "Cyrus owes our family. I'll make sure he pays it all back, with interest."

After I hung up, the night breeze brushed against my face, carrying a subtle chill.

I turned to look at the villa, so meticulously decorated and inviting. It once felt like home to me, but now, it was nothing more than a carefully crafted hunting ground.

And I was the most patient hunter here.

*****

The next morning, I rarely took it upon myself to cook, but today I got up early and made a lavish breakfast.

When Cyrus and Judith emerged from the study, they looked worn out, with faint shadows under their eyes, but they were buzzing with energy.

"Honey, what got you up so early today?" Cyrus asked.

He was a bit surprised by the spread, but he simply settled in and enjoyed it like it was nothing out of the ordinary.

He took the seat right beside me and reached for a slice of toast.

Judith lingered awkwardly at the dining room door, looking uneasy. "Leona, I... I'll just eat whatever, really."

"Why are you just standing there? Come on, take a seat," I said, smiling. "You two were up all night, so you must be starving. I made you your own plate. Go ahead, try my cooking."

I slid a sunny-side-up egg and some bacon over to her.

Cyrus was clearly pleased with my "docile and virtuous" manner, giving me a satisfied smile. "Honey, you're so caring."

Then he turned to Judith, his tone both proud and commanding. "Judith, Leona's been so good to you, so you'd better not let her down. Today's bid for Starview Square must be successful."

Starview Square was a massive commercial complex right in the city center, a prime piece of real estate that every company was scrambling to get a slice of the pie.

Cyrus's company had been preparing for this bid for three months.

Judith straightened up, looking serious. "Don't worry, Mr. Knox. I remembered all the key points you went over last night. Our Plan B will catch everyone off guard. None of the other bidders will see it coming."

Plan B was their real ace in the hole.

They made sure everyone only heard about Plan A.

Cyrus nodded, clearly pleased, then turned to me. "Leona, if we land this project, our company will become the industry leader overnight. And when that happens, you can buy any bag you like."

He was always trying to buy me off with gifts, thinking money could keep me in line and make me behave.

I feigned excitement, playing along. "Really? Looking forward to hearing your good news."

Breakfast was finished with everyone quietly playing their own game.

Cyrus and Judith headed out, looking sharp and ready to take on the world. I stood at the door, waving them off with a warm, graceful smile.

Once their car was out of sight, I dropped the smile and texted Judith.

I typed: [Go according to the plan.]

Judith replied right away: [Got it.]

I walked into the empty living room, poured myself a cup of coffee, sat down on the couch, and turned on the TV.

The business channel was airing the live coverage of the Starview Square bidding event.

I knew Cyrus would lose badly today.

But this was only the beginning.

I was after far more than a single project's failure.

Cyrus's startup went by the name Galaxy Tech.

It had an ambitious ring to it.

Truth was, because of me, Galaxy Tech had help from my dad from day one, whether in private or in public: including the startup money, the key tech, and even the first clients.

Cyrus was the classic status-chaser.

He grew up poor, but he was smart, ambitious, and had this relentless drive. He never stopped until he got what he wanted.

I first met him at a college debate competition.

Back then, he stood on stage in a washed-out shirt, speaking with confidence and passion, and there was a spark in his eyes.

I have to admit, I was drawn to that raw, vibrant energy of his.

Despite my family's strong objections, I went ahead and married him anyway.

Chapter 2

I stepped out onto the balcony and dialed a number.

"Dad," I said.

My father's steady voice came through the line. "How's it going?"

"The fish is hooked, Dad," I replied.

I glanced at the closed study door, my voice calm and steady. "Cyrus is starting to trust Judith. Tomorrow is the first step."

"Good. Leona, I'm sorry you have to go through this," my father said.

"It's okay." I said softly, "Cyrus owes our family. I'll make sure he pays it all back, with interest."

After I hung up, the night breeze brushed against my face, carrying a subtle chill.

I turned to look at the villa, so meticulously decorated and inviting. It once felt like home to me, but now, it was nothing more than a carefully crafted hunting ground.

And I was the most patient hunter here.

*****

The next morning, I rarely took it upon myself to cook, but today I got up early and made a lavish breakfast.

When Cyrus and Judith emerged from the study, they looked worn out, with faint shadows under their eyes, but they were buzzing with energy.

"Honey, what got you up so early today?" Cyrus asked.

He was a bit surprised by the spread, but he simply settled in and enjoyed it like it was nothing out of the ordinary.

He took the seat right beside me and reached for a slice of toast.

Judith lingered awkwardly at the dining room door, looking uneasy. "Leona, I... I'll just eat whatever, really."

"Why are you just standing there? Come on, take a seat," I said, smiling. "You two were up all night, so you must be starving. I made you your own plate. Go ahead, try my cooking."

I slid a sunny-side-up egg and some bacon over to her.

Cyrus was clearly pleased with my "docile and virtuous" manner, giving me a satisfied smile. "Honey, you're so caring."

Then he turned to Judith, his tone both proud and commanding. "Judith, Leona's been so good to you, so you'd better not let her down. Today's bid for Starview Square must be successful."

Starview Square was a massive commercial complex right in the city center, a prime piece of real estate that every company was scrambling to get a slice of the pie.

Cyrus's company had been preparing for this bid for three months.

Plan B was their real ace in the hole.

They made sure everyone only heard about Plan A.

Cyrus nodded, clearly pleased, then turned to me. "Leona, if we land this project, our company will become the industry leader overnight. And when that happens, you can buy any bag you like."

He was always trying to buy me off with gifts, thinking money could keep me in line and make me behave.

I feigned excitement, playing along. "Really? Looking forward to hearing your good news."

Breakfast was finished with everyone quietly playing their own game.

Cyrus and Judith headed out, looking sharp and ready to take on the world. I stood at the door, waving them off with a warm, graceful smile.

Once their car was out of sight, I dropped the smile and texted Judith.

I typed: [Go according to the plan.]

Judith replied right away: [Got it.]

I walked into the empty living room, poured myself a cup of coffee, sat down on the couch, and turned on the TV.

The business channel was airing the live coverage of the Starview Square bidding event.

I knew Cyrus would lose badly today.

But this was only the beginning.

I was after far more than a single project's failure.

Cyrus's startup went by the name Galaxy Tech.

It had an ambitious ring to it.

Truth was, because of me, Galaxy Tech had help from my dad from day one, whether in private or in public: including the startup money, the key tech, and even the first clients.

Cyrus was the classic status-chaser.

He grew up poor, but he was smart, ambitious, and had this relentless drive. He never stopped until he got what he wanted.

I first met him at a college debate competition.

Back then, he stood on stage in a washed-out shirt, speaking with confidence and passion, and there was a spark in his eyes.

I have to admit, I was drawn to that raw, vibrant energy of his.

Despite my family's strong objections, I went ahead and married him anyway.