Chapter 45
She tucked away that flicker of sorrow, replacing it with the gentle, intellectual mask she wore so well.
"Ms. Windsor," she said, her tone sincere, "I don't mean anything by this. It's just as one woman to another, seeing you so young and about to step into this vortex, I feel compelled to offer a word of caution."
"The title of Mrs. Smith is glamorous, but behind the sparkle, you'll need a heart stronger than any man's to endure what comes with it. That includes the other women who will likely always be by your husband's side. You need to be prepared."
She patted Elizabeth's arm, a soft, maternal gesture. To an outsider, it would have looked like a tender moment between a caring mother and her daughter.
Of course, Elizabeth didn't believe a word of Michelle's feigned concern, but she wasn't foolish enough to call her out or make an enemy of her.
A polite smile touched her lips. "Thank you for the warning. I'll keep that in mind."
Her response was a little too dismissive. Michelle seemed disappointed by her reaction but didn't press the matter. After a few more pleasantries, she turned and walked away with practiced elegance.
Watching her retreat, Elizabeth felt a renewed urgency to establish her own network of power and information.
The Smith Manor, seemingly an impenetrable fortress, was in reality a web of competing interests, with Jacob's control extending everywhere. Contacting Nightfall directly was far too risky. The close call at the internet café had proven that.
Luckily, she and Lynx had already established a backup communication plan. Today was the day for their next rendezvous.
Before heading out, she informed Tina of her plans.
Tina didn't try to stop her, simply arranging for a driver and a bodyguard to accompany her.
Elizabeth gave an address, and the car pulled up in front of an old-world European-style villa. It was well-maintained, complete with a private garden, and looked incredibly valuable.
"This was a property my groundfather left me. I haven't been here in a while, just wanted to check on it," Elizabeth explained casually to the driver and bodyguard.
It was the truth. The villa was indeed one of the assets Hughes had bequeathed to her. Its secluded location, visited only by a maintenance crew, made it the perfect backup contact point for her and Nightfall.
The bodyguard remained outside, standing guard, while Elizabeth unlocked the heavy front door and went in alone.
The interior was spotless, clearly cleaned regularly, but it lacked the warmth of being lived in, feeling spacious and cold.
She had just settled onto the living room sofa when the doorbell rang.
Elizabeth walked to the door and peered through the peephole. A capable-looking middle-aged woman stood on the porch. She carried a briefcase, projecting the air of a consummate professional.
It was Lynx.
Her talent for disguise and role-playing had always been exceptional.
Elizabeth opened the door.
"Ms. Windsor." Lynx gave a slight bow, her voice altered to sound steady and professional. "I'm Erin, the agent managing this property for you. I received your notification and came to report on recent maintenance and have you sign off on a few documents." She offered a file folder, her eyes meeting Elizabeth's in a quick, hidden exchange.
"Please, come in," Elizabeth said, her voice even as she stepped aside.
The two women entered the living room, one after the other.
Elizabeth casually switched on an old record player in the corner. The melodious strains of classical music filled the air, providing enough cover to mask their conversation.
"Is it secure?" Elizabeth asked in a low voice, her gaze sweeping the room.
"Checked. It's clean. The bodyguard and driver are within normal parameters," Lynx answered swiftly, placing her briefcase on the coffee table. She pulled out several genuine property documents and spread them out, keeping up the pretense of a business meeting.
"Boss, your last directive has been carried out."
Elizabeth signed the documents with a distracted air, as if her mind were elsewhere. "Report."
Lynx lowered her voice. "The target was Vivian. The operation was executed yesterday evening. The operative, disguised as a motorcycle mugger, targeted her on a secluded road as she was walking to a beauty salon alone. It was staged to look like a random street crime. During the struggle for her purse, her long hair was 'accidentally' snagged."
Elizabeth's pen paused, her eyes hardening slightly.
Lynx continued, "The force was significant, tearing away a large patch of scalp along with the hair roots. The target screamed and fainted on the spot. She was taken to the hospital. The initial diagnosis is severe follicle damage to that area, which will result in a permanent bald scar. Her life is not in danger, but her appearance is severely compromised, and the psychological trauma is profound."
Elizabeth gently set down the pen.
Permanent hair loss, right in a visible spot on her head.
For a woman as vain and obsessed with her appearance as Vivian, this was a punishment far more agonizing and unbearable than a few broken bones.
"How was the scene handled?" Elizabeth asked.
"Our people exfiltrated via the planned route and disposed of all related items. No incriminating evidence was left at the scene. The police are currently classifying it as a violent robbery and are searching for an untraceable motorcycle," Lynx reported.
"Furthermore, subsequent surveillance indicates the target had a complete breakdown upon waking in the hospital. She made several attempts at self-harm and had to be restrained. Henry visited her once, but he didn't stay long and seemed extremely impatient."
A scornful smile played on Elizabeth's lips.
All Henry had ever loved was Vivian's youthful, vibrant body and the façade of gentle devotion she created for him. Once that perfect illusion was shattered, revealing the ugliness beneath, what would be left of his shallow affection?
"Good," Elizabeth stated simply.
This was just a small lesson.
"Boss, there's one more thing." Lynx slid a photograph from beneath the documents. It looked like a close-up of a part of the house needing repairs, but it was actually the profile of a man.
"Richard has been active lately. Several of his covert channels have been trying to make contact with our peripheral information brokers, digging for news about Noel. Our people have deflected them, but it's clear he hasn't given up. Also, he's had recent secret meetings with members of the Moretti family."
Was Richard making a play for Nightfall and colluding with the Morettis?
He was an ambitious man, likely unwilling to let Jacob have total control of the Smith family. And, as she knew from the future, he would eventually turn on Jacob completely.
"Continue surveillance. Be discreet, don't alert him," Elizabeth instructed. "If necessary, you can feed them some misinformation to throw them off the scent."
"Understood." Lynx made a mental note, then hesitated. "Boss, the situation inside the Smith Manor is complex. Your contact with the outside world is inconvenient and high-risk. Considering you need reliable personnel at your side to handle daily matters and serve as an emergency communication channel, I have a proposal. Let me stay by your side in an official capacity."
Elizabeth looked at her. "In what capacity?"