Chapter 212: The bribe
Edith pursed her lips. She couldn’t understand him. On one hand, he was punishing Riya for trying to ruin Zara’s image, but on the other hand, he had agreed to marry the same woman he seemed to dislike. What was he planning?
She shrugged off the confusion and focused on what had been troubling her. "The footage doesn’t clearly show who bribed the waitress," she reminded. "What we have is not enough to prove her crime. What if it’s not her? What if it were someone else?"
Her point was valid. Although Liam had seen Riya moving to that corner, it wasn’t visible that the person behind the pillar was her. Because of that uncertainty, he hadn’t handed the footage to the authorities. A shrewd woman like Riya could twist the fact and say it wasn’t her and that someone was trying to frame her. Yet he was certain Riya was the one who had done that shameful thing.
"Who else would have a motive?" Liam argued. "None of the other guests had any reason to target Zara like that, except Riya. It was her."
His tone hardened with conviction. "If not, she wouldn’t have left so easily. She might have created a drama here."
His words forced Edith to reconsider. She had to admit Liam was right.
"I see now," she said in a contemplative tone. "Knowing her personality, she wouldn’t have left quietly if she were genuinely innocent. She would have lashed out, accused us of framing her, and might have even called the media to demand justice. But she didn’t."
She nodded. "It’s definitely her."
Although she agreed, she still had doubts in her mind. "However, we don’t have solid proof against her. What if she countered us?"
"As long as she believes we have the footage and can ruin her career, she won’t do anything stupid," Liam said with certainty.
A smile broke on her face. "You are cunning. I get it now. But there is one thing I can’t understand — your agreement to marry her. You clearly don’t like her. Then why?" She studied him curiously.
"Who said I’d marry her?" Liam scoffed.
Edith’s expression froze. "Didn’t you agree already?"
"I agreed. But that doesn’t mean it’s final." He smirked, his eyes piercing.
Edith blushed under his unwavering gaze. She looked down, her lips curling. "It’s your decision who you marry. I won’t pry anymore."
She turned and walked out, her pulse rate quickening.
Later that day...
Riya’s manager was spotted with the thief at a small bar located on a busy street in the city. Sliding a photograph across the table along with a thick wad of cash, she said coldly, "This man needs to disappear. Do it quickly."
"Murder?" The man’s eyes widened. "I am just a small thief – never murdered anyone."
Unfazed, the woman shoved another bundle of bills toward him. "Is this enough?"
The man looked at the cash. Greed shone in his eyes. His hand hovered over the cash, but the fear held him back. He lowered his hand, not daring to touch the money.
Shaking his head, he said, "This is too much. If I get caught, I’m finished."
The woman added another stack of notes. "I can give you more."
The man swallowed, feeling torn between greed and fear.
"Need more." She pressed another bundle on the stack. "With this money, you can start over away from here, where no one knows you."
Her words wavered him. Greed overpowered his fear. His lips curled slightly as he collected all the notes and stuffed them into the pockets of his coat.
"I’ll do it." A crooked smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
The woman tapped the photo of Jaxon resting on the table. "The address is written on the back."
He studied the picture for a moment before slipping it into his back pocket. "I’ll let you know when it’s done. After that, we’re strangers. No more contacts."
"Deal." The woman stood up and hurried out of the bar, pulling a scarf over her face.
The man remained seated there, asking the waiter to bring a drink.
Ian waited in the shadows outside the bar in a dark corner, leaning against the wall. He adjusted his glasses as his gaze followed the woman walking out briskly. He popped a piece of nicotine gum from the vial, tossed it into his mouth as he strode into the bar.
His sharp gaze soon spotted the man in the corner, bobbing his head with the rhythm of the music while enjoying his drink. He went there and sat down across from him.
The man instantly stilled, alarmed. His expression changed all of a sudden. He looked like someone who had just seen a ghost.
"You? You scared me..." He breathed, tapping his chest. "At least, you should have warned me before appearing."
"Cut the crap," Ian snapped. "Is she the one who paid you?"
The thief nodded. "Yes, she is the one. Now..." He leaned forward and muttered in a low voice, "She wants to kill someone." Reaching into his back pocket, he took out the photo and pushed it toward Ian. "She wants him gone."
Ian took the photo, his eyes narrowing. ’This woman, Riya, is something.’
Ian pushed the photo back to the man. "You don’t need to kill him. I’ll take care of it. But you have to do something for me."
"What?"
Ian pushed a sealed envelope toward him. "Deliver this to him. Say nothing else. Leave the rest to me."
"That’s it?" The man smirked. To him, it was nothing. It was the easiest task he had ever done. "Consider it’s done." He downed the remaining drink in one go and left the bar.
Ian also stood up and sneaked out. Just as he stepped into the street, his phone buzzed. Seeing Nathaniel’s name flash on the screen, he quickly straightened his posture. He schooled his expression into something professional before answering.
"Hello?"
"You bastard," Nathaniel’s angry voice barked down the line. "You were gone for an hour. I only asked you to deliver a file to the Lawson Group. Why are you taking so long?"
"I’m on my way."
He ended the call without waiting for his reply.
On the other end, Nathaniel fumed. His mouth twisted as he glanced down at the phone. "This man..."
Knock-Knock...
"Come in," he muttered tightly.
The secretary entered with a grin on her face. "Sir, I just received this." She set a folder on the table. "The trial version of the AI system has been launched successfully. The team is thrilled. This is the report."
Nathaniel’s irritation melted instantly, replaced by a grin. He took the file and opened it, his eyes skimming over the data. He was excited about the fact that his team had developed it fast, before the time he had expected. Moreover, it was a success.
He would finally be able to launch the system before Zachary could.
"Set a meeting with the board," he commanded. "Make sure the team is there to present the results."
"Sure, Sir." With a bounce in her steps, she left the office.