Chapter 238

Upon hearing what Oliver just said,

Lisa, who had been quietly watching him, didn’t say anything for a moment. She just stood there, absorbing the weight of his words, seeing a side of Oliver she rarely saw a side that wasn’t just hurt… but tired of being hurt.

She lowered her head gently and with a voice that carried nothing but sincerity, she said, “I’ll get you everything soon, Oliver… I promise p>

With that, she turned and walked away, not wanting to stay any longer than needed. She knew what this meant. Oliver wasn’t just looking for answers now he was preparing for war, one only he could fight.

And Oliver? He stayed seated.

His body leaned back in the chair, arms resting on the sides, but his mind was far from still. He stared ahead, but his thoughts were racing, clashing, burning.

Because the truth was he wasn’t happy. No, not even close.

Out of all the things he could have expected from Cora, this..this was never one of them. He had trusted her. Believed in her. Even stood by her without asking for recognition. He had done things behind the scenes, walked through shadows just to make sure she was safe and protected… and yet, she couldn’t even trust him with something this serious.

The sting of that betrayal didn’t show on his face, but it was deep. Real. And cruel.

But even now, despite how much it hurt, Oliver wasn’t ready to walk away from her. He wasn’t going to abandon her to the wolves, no matter how much she had unintentionally pushed him aside.

He was going to see this to the end. No shortcuts. No halfway exits. Just the truth raw, exposed, and unforgiving.

And after that? He didn’t know.

Maybe he would finally decide to just go on with his life. Maybe he’d choose to keep minding his own business. Or maybe, just maybe, he’d disappear entirely.

He didn’t know, But time… time would tell.

At that moment, Malisa and Cora sat quietly across from Lovi. The room was silent almost too silent. But within that silence, tension floated in the air like thick smoke. Neither Malisa nor Cora said a word, and yet their presence alone made the atmosphere feel heavy. Lovi, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair like he owned the place which in a way, he did. But what made him feel even more powerful now wasn’t the chair or the place it was the fact that everything was suddenly falling into place without him lifting a finger.

He had spent days weeks even mapping out a plan. He had strategized every move, measured every possible outcome, and prepared to manipulate every piece on the board. His goal was always clear: turn this entire situation into a ladder, and climb it to a position of greater power. He had intended to use Malisa and Cora, to slowly lure her into a corner until she had no choice but to rely on him. That was the plan.

But now? Now, here she was along with Cora both sitting right in front of him like he was their last hope. The person he thought he’d have to chase down was now willingly standing in front of him. That made Lovi want to laugh. Not just laugh but celebrate. This was no longer a game of chess. This was checkmate, and they had walked right into it on their own.

He smiled inwardly. Perfect. Everything had just gotten easier.

Meanwhile, Cora looked at Malisa, then back at Lovie. She had made up her mind before walking into this meeting: no games, no clever wording. She would be direct. If this man was going to play smart, then she would play honest, and that honesty would make her unpredictable.

So without waiting any longer, she cleared her throat and spoke with a clear, firm voice. “Before we even get into the reason why we’re here today,” she said, locking eyes with Lovie, “I want to make something clear p>

Hearing Cora words immediately Lovi raised a brow slightly, intrigued.

Cora didn’t blink. “That first job you did, I want you to accept your payment p>

At that moment, Cora leaned forward, her eyes locked onto Lovi’s with unwavering seriousness. Her tone carried no room for jokes or misunderstanding as she said, “If you even dare say you did it for free, or try to act like this was one of those favors done out of kindness or sympathy, then there’s no need for this meeting p>

However Malisa didn’t say a word. She quietly shifted her gaze between them, aware that Cora was doing exactly what they agreed drawing the line clearly and firmly.

Cora continued, her voice firm like stone, “I don’t need anyone walking for me and telling me it’s free. I don’t accept charity. Never have, never will. You did a job, you get paid. That’s how I work. If you try to play clever and decline again, I’ll take Malisa and walk out of here. And this whatever opportunity you think is coming next will vanish with us p>

She positioned herself properly in her chair, her arms folded, her expression unreadable but undeniably intense. Her words weren’t a threat they were a contract. One that wouldn’t be renegotiated.

However Lovi, who had been smiling faintly before, now dropped the smirk. He looked at her carefully. This wasn’t the same Cora he used to toy with. No, this woman in front of him had evolved. The firm edge in her voice, the no-nonsense glare she was serious. And if he declined now, he knew she would leave and never return. That meant he would miss out on whatever big thing they were about to present to him. Something he could already tell was far bigger than the last job.

His fingers tapped slowly on the table as he thought. Then he exhaled deeply. There was no need to play hard to get. Not now. Not when the power was shifting.

“Well then,” he said slowly, his voice steady as he gave a short nod, “no problem. I will accept p>