Chapter 36 Something Illegal

• **Third person** Karen was alone in the bedroom, and so she picked up her phone and dialed Layla’s number. Layla was going to be the new department head of project design. “Hey, girl. What's up with you calling by this time?” Layla asked. Layla was a friend to both Ashley and Karen since they were teenagers. “Oh, it's nothing serious. I want you to handle something for me,” Karen stated, her voice lacking the cheerfulness that Layla's held. Layla sat up. “What's that?” “Make someone so frustrated with work that she decides to quit on her own.” Layla chuckled. “You've still not given up on this path. Why don't you deal with her directly or have her fired already?” Karen scoffed. “She's dating Lucas Stone.” “The Lucas Stone?” Layla repeated, shocked. “Well then, I hope I won't get into trouble for doing that?” “Why would you? She doesn't need to know that you're trying to make life difficult for her,” Karen clarified. “Ohhh…” Layla let out a giggle in understanding, and Karen followed suit, both of them laughing till their cheeks hurt. **Valerie** “Thank you so much, Val. We should do this again soon.” Mrs. Stone held my hands, a big grin plastered on her face. I returned her smile before replying, “Yes, mother.” Then I turned to look at Lucas, who just stood stiff, and then he led the way to the car. Since I woke up, he'd seemed... I don't know, angry? And he didn't even reply to my greeting this morning. Did I say something wrong last night? We entered his car, and he started the engine. The entire drive was silent except for the music playing in the background. We stopped in front of my apartment. Lucas turned to look at me. “I'll see you soon,” he muttered in that calm, manly voice that had me weak in the knees. “Sure,” I murmured and then got down. He watched me walk to my apartment until I was almost at the door before he drove off. I smiled, my mind shifting to the previous night, and I bit my lower lip. What would happen if we had to spend another night alone? I swallowed the lump in my throat. Dipping my hands into my bag, I fumbled for my keys. “You had a great night, right?” I clutched my hands to my chest, startled, as I turned to look at Matt, who was standing behind me. “You scared me,” I said. “Weren't you expecting me?” He asked with slightly furrowed brows, and then I glanced at my phone; it was 9:58 AM already. “Oh,” I chuckled nervously. “I didn't realize it was already 10.” Matt was supposed to come to the house at 10. And since I was awake till late, I ended up dozing off in the early hours of the morning. I mean, how was I supposed to get any sleep with Lucas in the same bed as me? After pushing open the door, we entered inside. I headed straight to my bedroom to drop off my bag and change. When I got out, Matt was already sitting on the chair in the study, a cup of coffee in his hand. My study... that's where we sat most of the time. Although I didn't really have guests at my place, so the living room would have worked just fine for our conversations, we chose to use the study. It was also where I listened to the recordings from the bug I'd left under Adam's office. Matt looked up as soon as he saw me, a hint of concern in his eyes. "So, you spent the night at the house of that guy you said you didn't like?" His voice was laced with an undertone of sarcasm. Yeah, I get how it looks. But I really had no choice. "Yeah, his mother insisted," I replied. Matt raised his brows, surprised. "His mother?" "It's nothing serious though," I said dismissively. Then he held my hand, his eyes trying to study my face. "If he's threatening you, let me know." Matt was just worried about me, and it's totally understandable. He knows the kind of hurt I went through, and quite frankly, I was scared. I was really scared... Scared of going through that hurt again. After my baby died, I'd even tried to take my life. I took a deep breath to stop the memories from flooding back, and then I forced a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, really. I was just helping him out," I said to Matt. My eyes squinted as I turned to the side. "What's that?" I asked, referring to the recording playing. Matt looked away from me and at the screen in front of us. I took a seat, and we plugged in our headphones and rewound it. "Listen, I've got a big one lined up. It's a windfall. Millions, I'm telling you. But we need to be discreet. No paper trail, no witnesses. Understand?" Matt and I exchanged surprised glances. I adjusted in my chair and leaned forward. It seems a lot of money is involved. "I've got everything under control. I've got a guy who can handle the transfers. It's all electronic. No risk." Adam seemed to be on the phone because we couldn't hear the other person. "That's settled; the shipment's going through tonight. I'll let you know when the funds are in." As I listened, my face grew increasingly grim. Adam was talking about a large sum of money, and the way he sounded suggested he was involved in something illegal. "He's embezzling or smuggling something," I murmured finally, as if it wasn't already obvious. "No doubt about it." Matt nodded. "Yup, and it looks like he's been doing it for a while." Then he paused and sighed before saying, "I'll have someone look into whatever this is, and also the anonymous person." Yes, the anonymous person. All Matt had sent to me was proof that whoever the person was, they were in Harrison's Enterprises. That only proves that whoever it is, is an employee, and that I already knew. "I have to find a way to get into their bedroom and bug it too." My lips curled into a sly smile. I probably have to seduce Adam and make him bring me home. "And how will you be able to do that?" Matt asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.