"No, I don't." She shook her head at his question, deep in thought. "He is a reporter though. It wouldn't be difficult for him to get an invitation to such events."

He nodded, making her find his question strange. "Wait. Why did you mention him?"

"It's not that I'm suspecting him." He held her chin and rubbed his thumb against her lips. "It's just that no one can be trusted completely. The only person who could do this to you is someone who is close to you and knew that you were attending the banquet."

"I see." His explanation made sense, but she trusted Theodore. "My dad would never do anything to hurt me."

"I know. He cares about you more than his own life." He pecked her lips as he caressed her cheek. "I'm only afraid that you are being trapped and perhaps it's not just you."

It had not crossed her mind but he was right. It was just as Lucy guessed. It was possible that someone wanted to hurt her, but it was also possible for it to be a distraction. That, and the fact that it was also likely for the culprit to want to hurt her as well as Theodore.

"I will warn him to be careful."

"We should be careful too. I will get more bodyguards." He promised.

"Are we seriously still talking about that?" She no longer desired to discuss such a negative topic. She was restless being with him in her bed. She missed his body ever since the night they made love under the moonlight and her face flushed just by thinking about it.

"You are right. We should do something more exciting." He pressed his lips against hers as soon as his words were out.

_

Zeus returned to Lucy's mansion when he was done. He had been away for two hours and it was already late when he returned, so he was surprised when he saw Lucy in the living room. "Are you having a sleepless night?" He asked her as he went over to sit across the coffee table.

She stared at him blankly and ignored him. She must be lost in her own world so he didn't take it to heart.

"Jaime is dead. Don't worry about the body, no one will ever uncover it." He reported.

"What about the evidence?" She finally had a reaction when she heard the news she had been waiting for.

He laughed at her question. "Don't underestimate me, mother. I never leave any evidence behind. And I'm certain that there will never be any melodrama about him appearing out of nowhere and revealing that he survived."

"Good job, son." She took a deep sigh and stood, finally deciding to take a rest. However, she changed her mind as soon as she took the first step, turning back to her son. "Call for a meeting."

"Right now?" He was taken aback by the sudden instruction.

"Yes." She said resolutely. "No matter which city they are in and what they are doing, as long as they are in Olphire, let them gather at the arsenal within an hour."

Zeus quickly sent the message. "Message sent."

…

Lucy wasn't the only one having a sleepless night.

In Mark's manor, Alyssa couldn't sit still for a second either.

"Why isn't Jaime back? Is he alright?" She asked for the umpteenth time.

"I'm sure he is." Mark comforted her even though he felt uneasy himself. It was not easy for Jaime to do anything in such a setting as the mayor's banquet. However, it was the only chance he could get without Desmond's insane security around her so he didn't miss it.

He had already received news about what happened to the mayor's wife, which should have made things easier for him thanks to the commotion.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Alyssa frowned. "What about that slut?" She asked, referring to Zaria.

"Hold on. I'll find out what happened to her." He took out his phone to call a friend of Jaime's who was with him on the mission, but he didn't have to. The door opened and the young man walked in looking dejected.

"Did you do it?" Mark asked.

"No." The young man gritted his teeth and slumped onto the couch, holding his head between his hands.

"What happened?" Alyssa felt her heart accelerate when she saw his reaction. When he didn't answer her, she shook his shoulder. "Did something go wrong?"

"Jaime is dead." He finally opened his mouth and mumbled, not believing the words he was saying either.

"How did this happen?" Mark asked in disbelief, holding Alyssa who almost fainted from shock.

The young man lifted his head and looked at them as he mumbled.

"He was following the car that he believed Zaria was in. Soon after he caught up, he gave us instructions. He sounded panicked."

Ayssa wiped her tears. She wanted to scream and yell and die too, but she could only weakly lean against Mark.

"What did he tell you?" Mark asked.

The young man took a deep breath. "To complete the second task which is related to Zaria Williams. My phone automatically records calls. Let me find the recording." He took out his phone. He had always recorded calls for convenience and blackmail material in case he needed it, which he usually needed often. He never would have thought that he would use it in such a manner. He searched for the folder and played the recording.

The duo conversed as Jaime informed him of his location. However, he became silent for a whole minute so his friend was worried. "Jaime? Are you there?"

"I followed someone I shouldn't. It was a trap all along and I fell for it." Jaime breathed, sounding as though he was in disbelief.

"Jaime, where are you? I will get back up right away." He urged. "Share your location with me."

"It's useless. The whole team will be wiped out if you try to save me." Jaime laughed bitterly. "Make sure to complete the second task and…" A bang followed and Jaime went dead silent.

"I looked for him anyway. It wasn't difficult to track him since he had told me his previous location but by the time I arrived, his car was up in flames." The young man swallowed a bitter gulp. "Whoever did this to him, I will make them pay." He still couldn't get the image of Jaime's body out of his head.

"I will not let them off either." Mark vowed. Whether or not it was someone they should not mess with, he would avenge his son's death.

The young man was rejuvenated. "I will complete the second task."

_

The following morning.

Zaria felt as though her bones had been crushed when she woke up after such an eventful night. Desmond had left earlier since he had a lot of work to take care of, leaving her to catch a little more sleep.

She couldn't laze around when she had to be at work earlier so she took a shower and dressed up.

"Good Morning, Dad." She smiled at Theodore who was drinking coffee in the living room. "I didn't see you last night. Did you return late?"

"Not very late, but I guessed that you were asleep so I didn't wake you." He stood to hug her.

"I have to rush. I'll speak to you this evening." She kissed his cheek. "I'll pick you up at work."

Grabbing her breakfast to eat later, she hurried out only to meet a young man outside the door.

"Miss Williams?" He probed to confirm her identity.

"Yes, that's me." He looked like a delivery man so she was confused. She didn't order anything.

"There is an anonymous parcel for you. The sender didn't want her identity revealed but she said to open it as soon as you can." He gave a white envelope to her.

"Okay." She was confused but she signed and opened the envelope.

The content was only one statement. [Not all accidents are accidents.]

What was the meaning of this? Was it an idle idiot who wanted to mess with her? And to think she had imagined that the sender was Desmond who left behind a surprise to her.

She shrugged and tossed the note into her handbag since she didn't have time to think about it, then entered her car and drove off to work.

She arrived before Lucy did. She didn't know why the latter wanted her to arrive earlier so she could only wait. She opened her bag to take out her phone and saw the note again. She studied it for a while. Not all accidents are accidents?

She had been in a hurry earlier but now that she was more calm, she frowned when she thought about it. What if it actually meant something?

Something crossed her mind when she read it again. Theodore's accident!

_____

Hello Darlings!

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