Chapter 96 Risk Worth Taking?
Anna's POV
I shook my head. "I'm not betraying anyone." Serena folded her arms but didn't interrupt. "I just don't want Lucas to die."
I sighed. "Maybe if I speak to him, I can make him understand what he's done. We can still find a way out of all this."
Serena studied my face for a long moment. "You've already made up your mind."
"I have."
She nodded once. "Fine. Have it your way."
"But before you go playing peacemaker, you still have one problem."
"You need to get out of this house."
I smiled. "I've been thinking about that."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I know the neighborhood around my foster parents' apartment better than anyone."
I walked toward the window as the idea took shape in my mind. "Xavier owns businesses and has associates scattered all over the city."
"He definitely has people operating around that area."
Serena nodded slowly. "He does."
"I'll arrange a meeting with one of Xavier's associates near Parkview." I turned back to her. "While everyone is focused on the meeting..."
"I'll slip away."
"I'll meet Lucas."
Serena didn't look convinced. "You honestly think Xavier's associate will stay quiet after you disappear?"
I smiled wider. "No, I'm sure he won't, he would tell Xavier every chance he get."
Serena nodded. "So do you plan to kill him or something?"
"No, I can't kill him, that would be very suspicious and easy to track back to me. I'd something else entirely.
"Which is?" she asked.
"There won't be a real associate."
She frowned. "What?"
"You'll be the one to create one." She blinked. "You'll set up a fake associate. A fake meeting. It has to be someone working for the agency. So when I disappear, they'll have no one real to question."
Serena stared at me for several seconds before letting out a slow whistle. "I'll admit, I didn't see that coming." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "It's risky, very risky. But It could work."
I shrugged. "It only has to work once."
She sighed. "I hope this doesn't get you killed."
I forced a smile. "So do I."
She looked at me carefully. "And I hope Lucas is worth all this, because from the way I see it, he's just collateral."
I didn't answer. Because I wasn't sure anymore.
Serena reached into her handbag and pulled out her phone. "I'll set it up."
She stepped toward the corner of the room while scrolling through her contacts.
Within moments she was making calls.
I listened quietly.
"No," she said to the person on the other line. "Not there, closer."
"...Yes. Parkview, just two houses away."
She ended one call and immediately made another.
The process took less than ten minutes. When she finally lowered the phone, she smiled. "It's done."
I frowned. "Already?"
She nodded. "Our people move quickly."
"The meeting has been arranged. Two houses away from Lucas."
My eyes widened. "That's too close."
She shook her head. "No, It's perfect. The closer you are, the less time you're exposed."
"You'll leave the meeting, walk two houses. See Lucas. And return before anyone realizes you've been gone."
I thought about it. She was right.
The shorter the distance, the safer it would be "Thank you."
She smiled. "Don't thank me yet. You still have to leave the mansion."
I nodded. "I'll handle that."
Walking out of my room, I found one of Xavier's men standing at the end of the corridor.
He straightened immediately. "Mrs. Anna."
"I need Lilly," I demanded. "Tell her to come to my room right away."
He bowed. "Yes, ma'am." He hurried off without asking questions.
I returned to my room.
Serena was still checking messages on her phone. "They've confirmed everything." She looked up. "Your fake associate will be waiting."
"Good. I've sent for lilly, my assistant. She would get logistics rolling and we'd be there in no time."
A knock sounded on the door. I was sure it was Lilly. "Come in," I said.
The door opened and Lilly stepped inside.
She smiled politely. "You sent for me?"
"Yes, I did." I kept my expression calm. "I need to meet one of Xavier's associates."
She nodded. "Where?"
"A place called Parkview. It's an important meeting."
Lilly didn't hesitate for even a second. "Very well. I'll arrange transportation. And I'll also prepare your security detail."
I tried not to look too relieved. "Thank you."
She took out a small notebook. "What time would you like to leave?"
"As soon as possible," I answered quickly.
She wrote it down. "I'll notify the men."
"I'll also inform the drivers." She closed the notebook. "Once everything is ready... I'll come and get you personally."
"Perfect. I'd be waiting."
Lilly smiled. "Is there anything else you need?"
I shook my head. "No, that'll be all."
She bowed respectfully before leaving the room. The door clicked shut behind her.
Silence settled over the room.
Serena slowly turned toward me. "Well, that was easier than expected."
I nodded. "Too easy."
She slipped her phone back into her bag. "Now all that's left..."
"...is seeing whether your plan survives contact with Lucas."
I looked toward the closed door, my pulse already beginning to quicken.
In less than an hour...
I'd be standing face-to-face with the man who had drugged me, kidnapped me...
...and might still be the only person capable of stopping this war before it consumed everyone.