Chapter 14 You Are the Driver
The auctioneer smiled, holding a small hammer.
"Next up is a public message: Phantom Crew will launch a crackdown on Faceless Ones and Shadow Syndicate, with major moves planned in Imperia City.
"Starting bid: three million dollars."
The public part of public messages was free, but details still required bidding.
Catherine wasn't interested in Phantom Crew targeting her organization. Let them try—who would take down whom was still up in the air.
She'd been busy with the jade market business these past two years, leaving the assassin organization to run itself, and somehow it had casually grown into one of the dark web's big three.
What interested her was Phantom Crew's moves in Imperia City. If she wasn't mistaken, it probably involved Marcus again.
She had to have this message!
If Phantom Crew went after Marcus right under her nose, her reputation would be ruined.
Catherine raised her paddle: "Three million and ten thousand dollars. I'm Blackfire."
Who did you say you are?
Three million and ten thousand wasn't much, but that last statement made everyone about to raise their paddles put them down!
The auctioneer was speechless too.
He'd planned to auction this message for tens of millions, but with Blackfire here, who would dare compete with her?
In VIP Room Nine, Alexander was somewhat surprised, then lowered his paddle as well.
Seems she was the one bidding against him for the previous message. Since she was interested in that one, his three million dollars wasn't wasted.
At this thought, Alexander leaned back slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
He'd searched through all companies and employee information at Serenity Heights without finding Catherine's. Blackfire probably wouldn't be so easily traced either.
With Blackfire's name out there, everyone at the venue fell silent, yielding the message to Catherine.
"Congratulations Blackfire, sold for three million and ten thousand dollars!"
The auctioneer's face was all smiles: "Next is a free message: Jade Oracle will team up with several families next month for a public jade auction. Everyone's welcome to attend."
Catherine was speechless.
Jade Oracle's reputation was quite impressive. Anyone in the jewelry business knew the name. Her identity was mysterious, her whereabouts unpredictable, and any stone she casually opened was top quality.
How come she didn't know about her own public schedule?
Catherine got up and went to the message room, swiped her card, and received her message.
"Phantom Crew will send assassins tomorrow to target Marcus again. Fee: one hundred million dollars."
Downstairs at Serenity Heights, a freshly washed Volkswagen sat there, low-key and shabby, its body showing its age.
As soon as Catherine walked out of Serenity Heights, she saw Alexander standing by the car.
He waved at her, his refined and handsome face full of delight, with an approachable warmth that felt like a spring breeze.
Catherine was somewhat surprised and walked up to ask: "Are you working as a driver?"
Alexander's smile froze for a moment, then meeting Catherine's somewhat doubtful gaze—those eyes were particularly beautiful, bright and dazzling.
Catherine looked at the car behind him, thinking of the information she'd just found about the village near Angel's Haven Orphanage.
Poor, extremely poor.
For Alexander to survive in the dark web was already quite an achievement.
"Do I have the honor of giving you a ride?"
Catherine figured she needed a cab anyway, and one ride was as good as another. Plus she could help Alexander's business, so she got in the car.
"To get you to join Shadow Syndicate, I'm giving you a welcome gift."
Catherine was speechless.
Who gives welcome gifts now? They'd already met several times!
Alexander took out the small box containing the message and handed it to Catherine. "Open it and see."
Catherine was somewhat surprised: "VIP Room Nine was you? Why did you spend so much money on this message? How long will you have to drive to make that back?"
Having stayed on the rich list for so long, this was the first time Alexander had been mistaken for a driver. His feelings were complicated as he hinted: "I have a main job too."
Catherine understood. He was the leader of Shadow Syndicate after all—he could make a fortune just taking any order on the dark web.
"You bought this message just to give to me? What if I don't want to join Shadow Syndicate?"
"No matter. A gift's value is in making someone happy. Making you happy is its greatest value. Any additional benefits are secondary."
Spending so much money on a message just to make her happy?
Catherine's hands holding the box suddenly felt hot.
"Do you give such expensive gifts to every girl?"
Alexander fell silent.
"You're the first. I never give gifts to ladies, except when my mother was alive—she loved flowers."
Catherine hadn't meant to bring up his painful memories and quickly said: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"It's fine. So, did my gift make you happy?"
Catherine was speechless.
Who asks such questions so directly!
When receiving gifts from Charles, George, Richard, and Philip, why hadn't she felt this awkward?
Or was it that people who grew up in poor areas didn't know what subtlety meant?
Did they have to express all their emotions directly?
Catherine had dealt with orphans on international missions before and knew they liked to express their thoughts directly—afraid there might not be a chance tomorrow.
At this thought, Catherine suppressed the strangely rapid heartbeat in her chest.
"Happy."
Alexander's smile deepened, making Catherine inexplicably feel her face heating up. She quickly turned her head away.
The temperature in this car was a bit too high!
Catherine thought for a moment, then opened the message box in front of Alexander.
"The director of Vinehill Hospital and the director of Angel's Haven Orphanage are the same person. Before disappearing, they had dealings with Serenitia City businessman Oliver."
Oliver?
How was he connected to this?
The Smith family was indeed involved in the switched babies case, so thinking about it, Oliver's involvement wasn't strange.
Catherine put away the note, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.
She was strikingly beautiful with expressive eyes, yet carried the cold aura unique to assassins, her features captivating.
This expression added a touch of everyday warmth, making her more like a teenage girl.
"Is the message useful?"
"Yes, thank you. What should I prepare as a return gift? Joining Shadow Syndicate is out—I won't give up Faceless Ones for now."
The assassins in Faceless Ones had followed Catherine for years. They had deep feelings for her and the organization. She wouldn't abandon her people.
Alexander's face showed a faint smile.
"Then tell me your name. I want to know your name—your name in the sunlight, outside the dark web."
Catherine was somewhat stunned. Her name was worth three million dollars?
Had Nightfall never been to school, so he couldn't do math?
"Catherine."
"Alexander."
Catherine nodded, making note of Alexander's name.
"Is it convenient to take me to Evergreen Mall?"
Quinn Couture's largest physical store in Imperia City was about to open. Simon had repeatedly insisted Catherine must attend. By the timing, it should be around now. If she didn't go, Simon would throw another tantrum.
"Of course."
Evergreen Mall was Imperia City's largest shopping center with many luxury brands. It was normal for Catherine, a young woman, to like going there.
After dropping Catherine off at the mall, Alexander turned the car around and drove into Evergreen Mall's parking garage, got out, and walked straight to a Maybach parked there.
Butler Ryan watched Alexander get out of that small car, his eyes nearly popping out.
What was going on with Alexander? Suddenly into being low-key?
Seeing Alexander look over, Ryan quickly said respectfully: "Mr. Howard, what you arranged is done. Mr. Felix Howard requests you visit the hospital tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?"
Ryan hesitated, knowing he couldn't hide it from Alexander, and stammered: "Mr. Windsor's granddaughter will be there."
Alexander closed his eyes and pressed his temples.
"I understand."