Chapter 64
The moment the door clicked shut, the rigid, professional mask on Lynx's face dissolved. The familiar sharpness and intelligence returned to her eyes. She did a quick sweep of the room, confirming there were no listening devices, before lowering her voice. "Boss, my apologies for the delay. The Smith family's security is tighter than a drum. It took longer than expected to fabricate a clean identity."
Elizabeth, seated behind the desk, waved a dismissive hand. "It's not your fault. After what happened to Dave, Jacob has been on high alert. The timing is actually perfect." She paused. "In front of everyone else, you're Erin."
"Understood, Boss," Lynx nodded, her tone shifting to one of genuine concern. "Have you been alright? The atmosphere in the Smith family seems tense."
Elizabeth gave her the short version of the dinner party fire and Dave's hospitalization, but she strategically omitted any mention of Jack's potential involvement, framing it as a simple accident.
She did, however, fill her in on Lilith Moretti's provocations and the ugly scene during afternoon tea.
When Lynx heard that Lilith had not only dared to sic a dog on Elizabeth within the castle walls but had also verbally assaulted her and tried to humiliate her with superglue, a cold, murderous intent flashed in her eyes. It was the dangerous aura of a top-tier assassin.
"Lilith Moretti." Lynx's voice dropped even lower, laced with undisguised disgust and ruthlessness. "Boss, do you need me to arrange a lesson for her? Or perhaps make her disappear entirely. The Moretti family is powerful, but our organization is clean. We leave no trace."
Took out Lilith directly? Elizabeth immediately shook her head. "No."
"Why not?" Lynx was baffled. "She's insulted you like this. Keeping her around is just asking for trouble. The Moretti family's influence has been on the decline for years. We could absolutely do it without anyone ever knowing."
Elizabeth looked at Lynx, knowing her subordinate was acting out of pure loyalty. She also knew this was the organization's standard operating procedure—eliminate any and all threats to the boss, regardless of their background.
But she had her own calculus.
"Lilith isn't some minor character," Elizabeth analyzed calmly. "She's the sole direct heir of her generation in the Moretti family, spoiled rotten since birth, and their most valuable asset for a future strategic marriage to consolidate power. If she suddenly dies under mysterious circumstances, the Moretti family will not let it go. They will mobilize every resource to investigate. Even if they can't trace it back to us, it will stir up a massive storm and draw everyone's attention."
She rose from her chair and walked to the window, gazing out at the impeccably manicured gardens. "What we need right now is to lay low, build our strength, not get into a direct conflict with an old-money family and become the center of a media frenzy. My relationship with Jacob has also just stabilized. This isn't the time to introduce new complications."
As Lynx listened, the killing intent in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by cool-headed reason. "You've thought this through completely, Boss. I was being impulsive."
"I understand your loyalty," Elizabeth said, turning back, her tone softening slightly. "For now, leave Lilith alone. With her personality, it's only a matter of time before she gets her comeuppance. Our priority is to consolidate the organization's power and get to the bottom of my grandfather's death and what happened to my child. Also, keep a close eye on the internal dynamics of the Smith family, especially Richard and Dave's activities."
At the mention of official business, Lynx's expression turned serious. "Yes, Boss. We've already found some leads regarding the past and are digging deeper. Richard has been particularly active recently, with suspicious fund transfers to several overseas accounts. Our people are on it. And while Dave is laid up in the hospital, a few of his key lieutenants are still active, seemingly investigating the cause of the fire on their own."
Elizabeth's eyes grew a fraction colder. "Let them investigate. As long as they don't find their way to Jack, let them be. If necessary, you can plant some other clues to divert their attention."
"Understood," Lynx noted, then asked, "And Jacob? His attitude toward you seems to have shifted subtly. Should we adjust our strategy with him?"
A memory of the previous night sent a faint, almost imperceptible warmth to Elizabeth's ears, but her expression remained placid. "Maintain the status quo. He's still useful to me, and our partnership must be preserved. Your current identity is perfect for helping me handle matters he doesn't know about, or that I don't want him to know about."
"Yes, Boss," Lynx answered respectfully, then seamlessly slipped back into the persona of the professional assistant. "Well then, Ms. Windsor, if there are no other instructions, I will go and familiarize myself with the estate and the daily work routines."
Elizabeth nodded. "Go. And be careful. Tina is no simpleton."
Erin gave a slight bow and exited the study.
Elizabeth settled back behind the desk, her fingers tapping a light rhythm on the polished wood.
Lynx's arrival meant she finally had a completely trustworthy ally by her side. It would make handling so many things infinitely easier.
As for Lilith, a glint of ice flashed in Elizabeth's eyes.
For a woman like that, letting her die would be too easy.
What she wanted was for Lilith to watch, powerless, as everything she cared about was stripped away, piece by piece. To watch her fall from her pedestal into the abyss and experience what true despair felt like.
Just like Vivian and Henry had done to her in her past life.
But now was not the time.
She needed patience. She would wait for the perfect moment.
Lynx integrated herself into Smith Manor with frightening efficiency.
Her demeanor was impeccable, her work swift and precise. She quickly won over a portion of the staff, and even Tina, after several days of close observation, couldn't find a single fault.
Samantha, however, was bored and looking for trouble. While wandering the grounds, she spotted Erin emerging from a study in the main wing, carrying a stack of documents for Elizabeth to sign.
Samantha had known Elizabeth brought one of her own people into the manor, and it had been grating on her ever since.
She changed her course, planting herself directly in Erin's path.
"You're the new?" Samantha tilted her chin up, her tone dripping with condescension as she gave Erin a critical once-over.
Erin stopped, dipping into a slight curtsy, her face a mask of flawless, deferential politeness. "Yes, Ms. Smith. I am Ms. Windsor's personal assistant, Erin."
"Personal assistant?" Samantha scoffed, circling Erin as if inspecting a piece of merchandise. "Elizabeth certainly puts on airs. Living in our Smith family home, and she need to bring a private assistant? What, is our head housekeeper, Tina, not providing good enough service? Or are the Smith family's staff not professional enough for her?"
The words were a clear provocation, designed to stir up conflict.
Lynx's expression didn't flicker. Her voice remained steady. "You misunderstand, Ms. Smith. Tina is exceptionally capable and manages the estate beautifully. I am merely here to handle some of Ms. Windsor's minor personal affairs; my role is in no way comparable to Tina's. The Smith family has been incredibly hospitable, and Ms. Windsor is deeply grateful."
She was neither servile nor defiant, artfully defending Elizabeth without offending Tina and neutralizing Samantha's jab all at once.
Finding her response so perfectly poised only irritated Samantha more.
She deliberately reached out, her finger jabbing toward the top document in Lynx's arms. "What's this you're carrying? Let me see."