Chapter 42: Help.

The living room was filled with tension, each person in his world of thoughts. Sandra sat, her whole being drenched in panic. "Do you think she'll come, it's almost sunset?" She asked Mark who was sitting across her, wearing a tired and frustrating look on his face.

"At this point, I don't think she will." Mark replied. He clearly had given up, and just at this moment, Dua walked in.

"I'm here," she made her presence known to them and they turned to her in shock.

Her appearance gave them a bit of hope, but they weren't completely hopeful as they can't predict her actions.

She strode to a couch and settled on it. "Make it quick, I don't have much time to spare," she said.

"Thanks for coming, Di." Mark smiled at her but received a poker look.

"Where is he?" She asked, looking around the room.

"Who?" Mark asked.

"Who asked to see me?" She said and Mark finally understood.

"I'll go call him," he replied, standing up from where he was seated.

"He has only two minutes to get here, otherwise I'll leave," she said and Mark hurried away.

Dua looked around, and her eyes settled on Sandra whose eyes were brimming with tears. Dua felt bad, seeing her on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry, I have to act this way to save myself and my husband," she said to Sandra whose tears finally fell and Dua sighed.

Bob entered the living room with Mark and Dua changed the look on her face to a hard one. Her legs crossed, and her hands crossed and with haughtiness she spoke, "why did you ask to see me?"

"Is this how you speak to your father?" Bob sneered.

"Is this how you speak to your Mafia Queen?" Dua retorted.

Bob began raging up, but he managed to keep his cool and strode to the couch Sandra was sitting. "I need you to get something done for me," he spoke with his gaze fixed in Dua.

"If it involves harming my husband in any way, count me out," she warned.

"No, it doesn't." Mark quickly assured her.

"All you need to do is help us get some cash," he began and Dua raised a brow.

"Please, Di. We need this money, we're going bankrupt." Mark pleaded, a sense of urgency in his voice.

"How much are we talking about here?" Dua asked.

"One trillion dollars." Mark replied.

"What?! That much money?!" Dua exclaimed.

"That's to us. To your husband that money is a drop in the bucket for your husband and you know it." Mark responded.

Dua's heart raced as she processed Mark's words. One trillion dollars was incomprehensible to her, a staggering weight that hung in the air like the thick atmosphere of impending storms. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to reclaim her composure. "You think this is a joke? My husband runs an empire, but that doesn't mean he has cash just lying around!"

"Then help us find a way to get it from him," Bob interjected, his voice dripping with condescension. "You know the ins and outs of his operation. You can help us navigate it."

"And what makes you think I know that much about his deeds?" She laughed.

"Because you're his wife." Bob replied.

"Does your wife know everything about you and your deeds?" Dua smirked and Bob glared at her.

"You have to get me that money, no matter what." Bob gave her a fierce look.

Dua shot him an icy glare, her brows furrowing in defiance. "And why should I do that? This is your mess, not mine."

Mark stepped forward earnestly, desperation in his eyes. "Because we're your family, Di...you have to help us."

"Family?" Dua scoffed. "Unfortunately for you all, I'm not your family. And moreover this man here," she pointed at Bob. "This man disowned Diane who's your family so you're all hopeless now.

"I told you, Di, dad didn't mean it that day. Why would he disown you over a trivial issue?" Mark said.

Sandra finally spoke up, her voice trembling but resolute. "Diane, think about it. This is your chance to help us. You might save our lives in the process... please, help us," she pleaded.

After a little thought, Dua finally agreed. "Fine! I'll help you all." But only because she had a hidden plan cooked up in her head.

Sandra's face lit up and Mark breathed in relief as Dua agreed to help them. "I know you're not gonna let us down," Mark smiled.

"Thank you," Sandra was grateful.

"There's also a file you have to bring to me." Bob said.

"It's called Cores. Bring it to me as soon as possible," he added and Dua simply nodded.

She rose from the couch, and picked up her bag. "I'll give you a call when the job is done," she said.

"We'll be expecting your call." Mark said, expectantly.

As Dua moved her legs to leave the house, Sandra pulled her into a hug. "I know he's your husband and you love him and trust him, but don't forget that he's a dangerous man. You can't fully trust a Mafia King and to couple it up, he's referred as 'The Devil'...please be careful, Diane." Sandra said, her tone worried.

"Alright," Dua nodded and broke the hug. She looked at Sandra one last time and left the house.

As Dua returned home, her mind was in panic as she prayed that Steven wasn't home yet. She's violated the curfew Steven set for her. It's passed sunset already, and night was drawing in. It'd be disastrous if he got home before her.

Soon she arrived home and she breathed in relief seeing Steven wasn't back yet.

She sank tiredly onto the plush couch in the dimly lit living room, the soft cushions enveloping her exhausted body. Her mind riled to her conversation with Diane's family, "I have to tell knucklehead about this," she whispered to herself. "But before then..." she rose up from the couch.

She made her way to Steven's study, the door creaking softly as she pushed it open. The room was dimly lit, with only a single desk lamp casting a warm glow over the rows of tall bookshelves and the massive wooden desk.

She sighed looking at the tall shelves packed with loads of files. "How the hell do I find that file in these before knucklehead returns?"

She began searching through the loads of files, her heart beating fast at each passing second in panic. It'd be terrible if Steven caught her in this act.

An hour of searching finally paid off as she stumbled upon the Cores file. She sighed, her frustration momentarily alleviated, and a wave of relief washed over her. But just as she thought she was safe, the door opened and Steven walked in. "What are you doing here?" His deep voice rang, startling her.

She turned to face him, the file concealed behind her back. "Hi," she gave an awkward smile.

Noticing her two hands behind her, Steven asked, "what do you have in your hands?"

"Huh?" She responded, while stuffing the file in her skirt.

"Nothing," she laughed, showing him her empty hands while he gave her a careful look.

"I'll let you be now," she smiled and began walking out of the room.

But as she reached the door, the file slipped out from her skirt to the floor. Her eyes widening in fear, she turned slowly to find Steven's raged eyes on her. "Oh, no," she swallowed, he definitely saw the file.