“I came here with good intention, to check on your condition because you are in danger of losing your job. But it turns out, you accuse me of being a bad guy?” Sebastian said disapprovingly.
“You’re inconsistent, Bas. You said you want to say congratulations. Then, you stated your intention to check my condition. Which one is true?”
A quick sigh escaped the secretary’s mouth. “This really doesn’t make sense,” he shook his head slowly.
“Which part doesn’t make sense? You are secretly aiming for my wife or you stabbed me from the back?”
Sebastian suddenly stood up until his chair almost toppled over.
“Stop your jokes! This isn’t funny, Max. All this time, I always try to keep your trust. Is this the reward you give to the person who has been loyal to you?”
“You’re too loyal, Bas, and I just realized that. You could have continued your father’s company. But, why did you choose to be my secretary instead? Isn’t that weird?” Max had succeeded in making his cousin’s fists grow harder.
“Your decision only makes sense if it is juxtaposed with ulterior motives,” the CEO concluded, letting his chin lift. He didn’t want to look weak in front of the person who was staring at him.
“No. My decision is purely because I want to learn a lot from you.”
Hearing the excuse that Sebastian had used so many times, the CEO arched an eyebrow higher. “Haven’t you learned a lot from me? But, why are you still faithfully clinging to my side?”
Another disbelieving sigh escaped from the secretary’s mouth. “You really disappoint me, Max.”
“So, what’s your reason for wanting to take me down?” Max interrupted as he changed the angle of his neck. “Are you secretly envious of me? Or were you sent by your father to take over my father’s assets?”
“Enough! Stop all your bullshit! If you keep accusing me recklessly, I could start hating you.”
“I’m not accusing recklessly,” the CEO exclaimed. The corners of his lips no longer showed friendliness. “If you’re not the mastermind, then why did you lure me to come to Gabriella’s house?”
“Of course for the Quebracha project. I know that no girl can ignore your charms. If you persuaded her, she would agree to sell the house.”
A grunt of disbelief suddenly wafted from the CEO’s mouth. “Is that so? Then, why do you keep telling me about the power of the Sharp Knife? For me to think about hiring his service?”
Sebastian was silent for a moment. After taking a very heavy breath, he gritted his teeth.
“Do you forget? I once questioned your decision to hire him. That’s because I also don’t agree with your idea, to take that vicious interrogator to Gaby.”
“No. You said that to get rid of my suspicions,” Max interrupted without the slightest bit of hesitation. “That way, you won’t be a suspect if one day, the hidden camera installed by the Sharp Knife in my room is revealed.”
“Why would I put a hidden camera in your room? It really doesn’t make sense, Max. I didn’t even know you were going to interrogate Gabriella in your room. You could have taken her somewhere else.”
Suddenly, the CEO stood up so he could level his piercing gaze with the secretary.
“Then how do you explain about the way you can access my e-mail?” he asked in a cold and testing tone.
“The IT team did it for me. I couldn’t take your position without the information and relationships I need,” Sebastian explained while furrowing his brows deeper.
“If the IT team can do such a great thing, then why did they fail to track down the person who sent the false order? Or maybe, you never asked them to look into it?”
Before the secretary could reply, Max’s index finger was raised to pick up an idea that seemed to have just popped up.
“Is it possible that you were the one who sent the message? Then, to cover the tracks, you cut off my coordination with the IT team. Or … you can also pay them to cover up the lie.”
Max grimaced as he shook his head in confusion. “There are too many scenarios in my brain. But the point is, everything points to you.”
Suddenly, Sebastian took a step forward, fixing his hateful gaze with the CEO. A second later, his voice sounded cold and emphatic.
“You will regret that you suspected me. I’m not the one behind all of this. Heed my words.
In just an instant, everyone’s attention was distracted by the sound of the CEO’s cell phone. When Gabriella examined the flickering screen, her eyes widened and her lips parted with a rush of air.
“Unknown number,” she sighed, successfully moving Max’s hand to reach for the phone on the table.
As soon as he saw the screen, the analysis that was neatly arranged was instantly dispersed. A big question mark had confounded his suspicions.
After glancing at Sebastian with a stiff blink, Max pressed the phone to his ear.
“Hello, Mr. CEO. I heard there was a small commotion in your dining room. Have you managed to turn your trusted secretary into the person who hates you the most?”
Max’s heart immediately exploded at a voice he shouldn’t hear. Wasn’t the mastermind standing in front of him? Then, who was the person who spoke with that haughty tone?
“Who are you?” the CEO asked while holding back a rumbling in his chest. Cold sweat had frozen all over his body, including the tightly clenched hands.
“Me? The person who want to see you broken.” A booming laugh suddenly rang out from the other end of the phone, making Max’s jaws clench even tighter. “And a little more, my goal will be achieved. You lost the trust of people, position, and also … your love?”
Max’s eyes immediately turned to Gabriella. The woman who furrowed her brows was looking at him questioningly.
“What do you mean?” the man replied with dry voice. He did not want anything bad to happen to his wife.
“I don’t know …. I’m still thinking about the final step to perfecting my achievements. Should I kidnap Gaby and throw her into the masher’s gang? Or drag her to my bed so she can’t wake up again?”
“Don’t you dare approach my wife!” the CEO rebuked as he could no longer contain his fury. His chest had been rising and falling rapidly, compensating for the rumbling in his lungs.
“You’re free to bluff. It’s just a waste of sound. You won’t be able to stop me. My eyes have locked on Gaby’s bloodstain on your bed. Tsk, I can’t wait to feel how warm it is to be between her legs.”
Max’s eyes were now closed with anger. He didn’t want to get out of control. Common sense was really needed to deal with a person as cunning as the mastermind.
“What are you doing in my office?” asked the CEO after swallowing dry saliva.
“Not in the office, but in your secret room. Do I need to be more specific? You like details, don’t you?”
After a moment of silence, the caller mumbled again. “Why do you keep the necklace from your mother in this box? Along with your album of memories as well as a diary?”
Spontaneous rapid exhalation was released in the air. Max didn’t expect the enemy to reveal such a deep secret. “Who are you? Why do you want to destroy me so much?” he asked with thinning patience.
“Are you that curious about me? Di you want us to meet? But…, I’m not sure you can stop me, even if it’s face to face. You are absolutely not comparable to me.”
“You’re the one who’s afraid of me. If not, why are you always hiding and acting behind my back?”
Laughter boomed again. “I like your bravery, Mr. CEO. It makes me even more challenged and excited to welcome your fall day. How about we meet now?”
Max was silent for a moment. His brain was busy processing the words, whether it was a genuine invitation or just a trick.
“Why are you silent, Mr. CEO? Are you scared? If so, how about I give a challenge to make it more exciting. If you don’t get here in 30 minutes, I’ll distribute the copy of-”
“My diary? Just do it. I won’t be provoked by your wits,” Max interrupted, showing strength.
Unexpectedly, the mastermind chuckled. “That’s not my weapon against you, Mr. CEO. I know you are no longer afraid of the past. What if I spread a video of your wife’s beautiful body? Or … should I share the moment when she vibrates beneath you with that ear-pleasing moan?”
Max’s patience no longer lasted. Without wasting any time, he put his phone in the pocket and hugged Gabriella.
“What’s the matter, Max?” the woman sighed with a deeper frown.
Instead of answering, the husband kissed her lips as if it was their last kiss.
“I have to go now. You wait here. Don’t leave the house. Understand?” Max said while stroking his wife’s hair.
“Where are you going?” Gabriella asked with eyes quivering faintly.
“Meet the real mastermind.”
“Should I come with you?” Sebastian asked, no longer clenching his jaw. His brows had furrowed too, understanding the CEO’s uneasiness.
Receiving that kind of attention, Max suddenly let out a heavy breath. “Sorry for accusing you. We will clear up this misunderstanding later. Now, please take care of my wife. I have to see the mastermind,” he replied before starting to move.
“Wait a minute. What if this is just a trap? You can’t be careless,” Sebastian shouted, successfully stopping his cousin’s footsteps.
“Then I’ll deal with it,” Max nodded with a sharp look. A second later, he turned his gaze to the woman who was biting her lip with fists clenched in front of her chest.
“Take it easy. I will defeat that person. Soon, I will return to you.”
Before Gabriella could speak, the CEO had already stepped out. As soon as the man’s back disappeared from the sight, a huge fear suddenly weighed on the woman’s heart.
“Be careful, Max,” she said belatedly.