CHAPTER FOUR

Olivia returned to her room, her heart still pounding from the encounter with Lucas. She knew she had to focus and put the awkwardness aside.

The information she had uncovered about Antonio Ricci was crucial, and she needed to share it with Lucas as soon as possible.

She spent the next few hours going through her notes and organizing the evidence she had gathered. Finally she felt prepared , she made her way through the mansion, navigating the complex corridors with determination. This time, she didn't get lost.

Reaching Lucas' office, she knocked firmly on the door, “Come in”, Lucas voice called from inside.

Olivia entered to find Lucas behind his massive oak desk,his expression serious, Marco, stood nearby, his face a mask of feigned interest.Olivia couldn't shake the image of Marco with the lady earlier, but she pushed it aside, to focus on the task at hand.

“Lucas, I have something important to share with you”, Olivia said , stepping forward and placing her notes on the desk.

Lucas gestured for her to continue, “go on”.

Olivia took a deep breath, “I’ve been digging into Antonio Ricci’s transactions. He’s been funneling money through various channels , and I found evidence linking him to some suspicious offshore accounts. It looks like he’s been embezzling funds and working with another party to undermine your operations”.

Olivia handed her evidence to Lucas, Lucas' eyes darkened as he scanned the documents, “This is solid work Olivia”, he said , his voice low, “But we need more, we need to catch him in the act, or at least get him to confess”.

Marco stepped closer, his expression skeptical, “how do we know this isn't a set up?Maybe someone is framing Antonio”.

Lucas glanced between Olivia and Marco, his expression thoughtful ,”Marco, you’re right to be cautious but Olivia’s findings are compelling , we need to act on this , but carefully, so we won't make any mistakes”.

Olivia nodded, “I’ll keep digging”.

Lucas leaned back on his chair, his gaze fixed on Olivia, “Good, Keep me updated on everything you find”.

As Olivia left the office , she felt a mix of relief and anxiety , at least she was making progress, she couldn't wait to be free from this imprisonment.

Lucas trusted her judgment , but the stakes were higher than ever, she knew the traitor would be on high alert , and any misstep could be fatal.

The next few days were busy days for Olivia as she worked tirelessly , digging deeper into Antonio's dealings. She found a few more leads, each one more incriminating than the last.

Determined to share her latest discovery with Lucas, Olivia gathered her notes and set out for his office. As she made her way through the corridors, the sound of gunshot reverberated through the hallway and Olivia gasped, stumbling back.

Olivia tiptoed to where the sound of the gun came from, she placed her ear close to the door, to hear the conversations.

“You think you can betray me?”, She heard Lucas' voice, filled with rage, “You think I wouldn't find out?”, She heard his voice again.

The man whimpered, “Please, Lucas don't kill me, I didn't…..” the man was saying , but Lucas shot at the man again.

Olivia's heart skipped, Suddenly she heard footsteps approaching. She quickly moved away from the door, just then she saw Lucas coming out of the room with his men behind him, his expression cold , Lucas stopped on his track, at the sight of Olivia, “What are you doing standing there?” Lucas asked with an expressionless face.

She swallowed hard, trying to steady her nerves “I found more evidence ,and I thought you should see it”.

Lucas studied her for a moment, then nodded, “very well, come with me”.

Olivia followed Lucas behind, as they got to Lucas office, “seat” ,Lucas gestured.

Olivia sat , but couldn't shake the feeling of unease, before Olivia could speak, the door burst open , and one of Lucas' men rushed in, “Boss,we've got a problem. Someone’s been tipped off about our investigation . They're making a move”.

Lucas’s eyes snapped to Olivia, then back to the man,”Who!!”.

“We're not sure yet, but they're after Miss Carter, we need to get her out of here”.

Olivia felt a cold chill run down her spine. The traitor had made a move , and now her life is in danger.

“Marco, take her to the safe house” Lucas ordered.

Marco nodded, grabbing Olivia's arm and heading her out of the room. As they hurried through the mansion , Olivia's mind raced. The danger was very close , she had no idea on the next move to take or who she could trust.

As they reached the exit,Olivia glanced back at Marco, “Marco, what's happening?”.

He looked at her, his eyes hard, “We’ve stirred up a hornet's nest, Olivia , And now we need to make sure you are safe, Just stay close, and don't trust anyone”.

The words sent shivers down her spines but she nodded , her resolve hardening.

“We need to move quickly, the traitor could be anywhere” Marco said, his voice urgent.

As they slipped out of the cold night air, Olivia's senses were on high alert. Every sound seemed amplified ,she stood close to Marco , trusting him to lead her to safety.

But as they walked through the crowd, Olivia couldn't shake the feeling of herself in danger . She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows, but there was no one.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness ahead, blocking their path. Olivia's heart sank as she recognized the silhouette of a man. Marco tensed beside her , his hand instinctively going to his sidearm to reach for his gun.

But before either of them could react the figure stepped forward into the dim light of a nearby streetlight , revealing himself to be Lucas.

“Lucas” Olivia exclaimed, relief flooding through her, cause honestly , she doesn't trust Marco hundred percent, “You came for us”.

Lucas' expression was grim as he surveyed them both, “I couldn't let anything happen to you Olivia, you’re too important to me”, he said , his voice low.

Before Olivia could respond, a sudden movement caught her eyes without a warning , a gunshot ran out, and Olivia felt herself, being shoved to the ground, as Lucas shields her with his body.