CHAPTER TWO

Lucas's lips curled into a smile, one that didn't reach his eyes, “I wouldn't expect that, now get to work” He ordered and walked out of the room.

Olivia spent all night trying to gather information that could help find the traitor. She hadn't slept a wink, her mind racing with the thoughts on how to escape , the traitor, and Lucas Moretti.

The files scattered around her, coded messages, and suspicious transactions. She had to find the traitor, not just for Lucas, but for herself.

A sharp knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and one of Lucas's men , a tall figure with a scar on his cheeks, stepped inside, “the boss wants to see you,” he said gruffly.

Olivia took a deep breath, she gathered the documents she had been working on, and followed the man through the mansion 's corridor. The house was silent , It's grandeur a stark contrast that took place within its walls.

They reached Lucas' office and the door swung open, revealing Lucas seated behind his massive desk, his presence, commanding authority that could not be ignored. Olivia felt a shiver run through her spine as his dark eyes met hers.

“Miss Carter”, Lucas called, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, “have a seat”.

Olivia swallowed hard as she sat down, placing the files on the desk between them, “I've been going through the documents”, she began trying to keep her voice steady. “There are few transactions that stand out but I need more time to be sure”.

Lucas leaned back in his chair , studying her intently, he could see how puffy her eyes were, “Patience is a luxury we cannot afford”, he said keeping his voice low, “You agreed to this, and I expect the result”.

Olivia sighed , feeling the weight of his words. She knew she was treading on thin ice, “I understand”, she finally said, “I’ll keep working”.

“Good” Lucas said , his tone softening lightly, “My men will assist you if you need more things but remember failure is never an option here”.

Olivia nodded, feeling a sense of dread settle over her. She left the office, her mind racing with thoughts of the traitor and how she was going to uncover their identity.

……🌵

Back in her room, Olivia threw herself with renewed determination, She spent hours poring over the documents. Almost immediately a soft knock came through the door, the door swung open,revealing a lady in her late 30s holding a tray of food, “Hi , Miss Carter, I’m Lucy, the woman said with a warm smile,“Here is your breakfast, please let me know if you need anything”.

Olivia's stomach growled in response , She realized she hadn't eaten since the previous day, “Thank you”, she accepting the tray. “How did you know my name?” Olivia asked with a raised brow.

“I know”, Lucy said, “Lucas mentioned you would be staying here for a while”.

Olivia's eyes narrowed, “So you work for Lucas! The ruthless Mafia?”

Lucy nodded, “Yes I do, but not in the way you think. I manage the household staff, Lucas likes to keep a tight ship”.

Olivia studied Lucy , noting the genuine kindness in her eyes.

Lucy sighed, “I understand you’re in a difficult situation”, she said softly , “like I said before, if you need anything please let me know”.

Olivia was taken aback by Lucy's offer to help. She had expected hostility , but Lucy’s kindness was a welcome surprise, “Thank you Lucy, she said sincerely”.

Lucy smiled again, “get some rest and eat something, you’ll need your strength”.

As Lucy left, Olivia turned her attention to the tray , but moved the food aside, she needed to get to work before eating.

Olivia returned to the documents. Hours passed as she was deep into concentration when there was a knock at the door , this time it was one of Lucas’s men , a younger guy with a friendly demeanour.

“Miss Carter the boss wants to know if you’ve made any progress”, he said.

Olivia sighed rubbing her temples, “Tell him I'm still working on it” , she said, her voice weary.

The man nodded and left, closing the door behind him,Olivia leaned back in her chair feeling the weight of her situation pressing down on her. She was running out of time, and she knew it.

She decided to take a short break, hoping that a change of scenery might help clear her mind, She glanced at the bowlmof soup , a slice of sandwich and some fruit on the tray. She decided to eat to regain her strength.

After eating, she walked over to the window,looking out at the sprawling estate. The rain had stopped, leaving the ground looking fresh and green. After minutes of admiring the view of the estate, she returned to her desk , determined to find the traitor and secure her freedom.

As evening fell, Olivia's eyes widened as she stumbled upon a particular suspicious transaction. It was a large sum of money transferred to an offshore account, and the name was one she recognized, Anotonio Rico, one of Lucas most trusted lieutenants.

Her heart raced as she placed together the evidence. Could Antonio be the traitor? She needed more proof, she gathered the documents together, ready to present her findings to Lucas, at least this was a start, she thought.

With the documents clutched tightly in her hands ,Olivia made her way through the mansion 's maze -like hallways. Each corridor seemingly indentical to the last. She turned a corner , then another , but the path seemed endless.

Her heart pounded as she realized she had lost her way . The opulence around her felt stifling, the silence pressing in on her. She opened the door , thinking it might be Lucas office, but was met with a sight that made her blood run cold.

Inside the room, Lucas and several of his men stood around a bound and a gagged man., his face bruised and blooded.Lucas held a gun, his face a mask of cold determination.

Olivia's eyes widened in horror, as Lucas raised the weapon and fired a single shot, the sound echoed through the room , the man slumped lifeless in his chair.

Olivia gasped, at the sight of what had just happened, she covered her mouth with her palm, so her voice wouldn't be heard, but Lucas turned slowly, his eyes locking into Olivia's , the room fell silent, “Miss Carter”, he called, his voice a chilling calm.

Olivia’s breath caught in her throat , She took some steps backwards , her mind racing, “I….I was looking for your office”, she stammered, the documents shaking in her hands.

Lucas took a step towards her, his expression unreadable, “And you found something you weren't meant to see”, he said softly.