Chapter 87

Meanwhile, on Asher's side, Vanessa was killed by a guard at the facility. Her throat was slit, and she died instantly. Facility personnel quickly subdued the killer, Gary, one of Asher's operatives, before Asher arrived. Gary was already dead upon Asher's arrival, blood flowing from his seven orifices. Vanessa lay covered by a white sheet in a large pool of blood, Gary beside her.

Facility manager Lucas, trembling, explained to Asher: "Sir, Gary and Robert were on duty. Gary, apparently acting on orders, attacked Vanessa. His strike was swift and precise. Robert tried to intervene, but it was too late."

Asher stared at the blood, his voice devoid of emotion: "Someone wanted to silence her permanently."

Lucas, wiping sweat, dropped to his knees. "Sir, I await your punishment!"

Asher responded dispassionately: "What's done is done. Call the police."

Lucas protested, "But sir, we could be charged with unlawful detention…"

Asher's cold gaze silenced him until Lucas quickly added, "I was responsible for Vanessa's unlawful detention. I'll turn myself in."

Asher contemplated Gary's body. "Who does Gary have in his family?"

Lucas replied, "He's forty, unmarried, with no children. His only family is his elderly, ailing mother."

"Where is his mother now?"

Lucas stammered, "This happened so suddenly, sir! I've been negligent!"

Asher's expression darkened. "He was clearly coerced. His mother is likely in their hands. I fear the worst. Lucas, you've disappointed me greatly…"

Lucas bowed his head. "Sir, I'm prepared to accept any punishment."

Asher's eyes hardened. "Someone knew about Gary's family and used his mother as leverage. It seems we have a mole."

Lucas looked shocked. "Sir, are you suggesting...?"

A cold gleam flashed in Asher's eyes. "We have a mole. Have someone else handle the confession. You focus on finding the culprit."

Lucas nodded gravely. "Yes, sir!"

At a private residence, a bodyguard reported, head lowered: "Mr. Jones, the target has been eliminated."

"Very good. Well done."

"Shall we eliminate Vanessa's father and Gary's mother as well?"

"Yes."

After the bodyguard left, the man called, "Lord Malfoy, everything has been handled."

Asher left the facility and saw Thalia's missed call. He returned her call.

"Lia, are you asleep?"

Thalia's drowsy voice replied, "Mmm… I'm quite sleepy."

Asher, in his car, spoke gently, "If you're tired, why aren't you sleeping?"

Thalia's soft voice was endearingly tender. "I was waiting for your call."

Asher's heart softened. "I've just finished dealing with things. Would you like me to come over?"

Thalia glanced at the time. "Tomorrow, perhaps. I need to sleep now."

Asher replied softly, "All right. It's cold tonight. Make sure you're properly covered."

Thalia mumbled, "You're treating me like a three-year-old." Her voice faded into quiet breathing.

Asher listened to her breathing until he returned home. His driver informed him, "Sir, Lucas called; an urgent matter. He couldn't reach you."

Asher ended the call with Thalia and immediately took Lucas's call.

"What is it?"

Lucas's voice trembled, "Sir, terrible news. Vanessa's father committed suicide. I don't believe it's a coincidence… And Gary's mother… that…"

Asher's tone was icy, "Reported what?"

"That Gary's mother died from carbon monoxide poisoning…"

A sharp gleam flashed in Asher's eyes. "Could she be resuscitated?"

Lucas replied shakily, "No, sir."

Asher's voice was frigid, "Lucas, if you don't solve this within five days, you know the consequences."

Lucas responded nervously, "Yes, sir…"

The following morning, Thalia awoke to persistent knocking. Gradually, she realized it was at her door. Annoyed at the early disturbance, she opened the door to find Drake with breakfast.

"Morning, Thalia," Drake said brightly. "Low blood sugar, remember?"

"Are you bloody mental?" Thalia snapped.

Drake held up the bag. "Pain au chocolat and blueberry scones."

"BANG!" Thalia slammed the door.

Drake pounded on the door, pleading, "Thalia, at least take the breakfast!"

Thalia shouted, "Drake, sod off! I'll call the police!"

Drake eventually said, "I'm leaving the breakfast by your door."

Thalia returned to bed but couldn't sleep. She eventually got up.

Meanwhile, Asher's Maybach stopped outside Thalia's building. He instructed his bodyguard to wait and knocked on Thalia's door.

Thalia yanked the door open, shouting, "Drake, for God's sake!" She saw Asher, and deep confusion settled in his gaze.