Chapter 46
"As the estate manager for this villa, and as your privately hired personal assistant or butler," Lynx proposed, his plan clearly well-thought-out.
"I've already arranged a cover story that will stand up to routine background checks. I can manage parts of your external schedule, handle certain private affairs, and, most importantly, receive your orders and relay information more directly and securely. Tina works for the Smith family. I can work exclusively for you."
It was a bold proposition, but it landed squarely on Elizabeth's most pressing needs.
Having someone utterly loyal, exceptionally competent, and with a legitimate reason to be by her side would streamline countless things.
"And the risk?" Elizabeth asked. "With Jacob..."
"I'll be careful. Day-to-day tasks won't arouse suspicion. Besides, as the heiress of the Windsor family, it's perfectly normal for you to own property and employ a private butler. As for Tina, as long as it doesn't touch the Smith family's core interests or Mr. Smith's direct commands, she generally won't interfere excessively," Lynx analyzed.
Elizabeth mulled it over.
Lynx's capabilities were beyond question. His loyalty was still a variable, but Elizabeth had no immediate way to test it, and for now, he seemed reliable.
The plan itself was sound. It solved her communication problem while embedding a capable operative right beside her.
"Alright," she finally nodded. "Set it up. As soon as possible. The background check has to be flawless."
"Yes, Chief," Lynx said with a subtle smile. "I'll have everything sorted within three days. Then, I will report to you, officially, as Erin."
Returning from the villa, Elizabeth had barely set foot inside the main house of Smith Manor when Tina materialized before her, silent and punctual as ever.
"Ms. Windsor, an invitation for you," Tina said, presenting a beautifully crafted lavender envelope that carried the faint scent of roses.
Elizabeth took it and slid it open.
The cardstock was thick, the wording polite and reserved. It was an invitation to an afternoon tea party at the Moretti estate the following day, hosted by Lilith.
Lilith's name was signed in a flamboyant, unrestrained cursive at the bottom.
Elizabeth had heard of her. The woman who was, by all accounts, the frontrunner to be Jacob's fiancée before she had swooped in.
Ms. Moretti clearly saw her as a threat. This invitation was, almost certainly, a trap.
She closed the card, her expression calm as she looked at Tina. "Please decline for me, Tina. Just say that I'm new here and not well acquainted with Ms. Moretti. Attending a private tea party might be inappropriate."
Tina didn't seem surprised by the response, but she didn't immediately agree. Instead, she gave a slight bow, her tone a note of professional caution. "Ms. Windsor, Ms. Moretti is quite influential in the social circuit. An invitation from her is rarely refused outright." Tina paused. "A direct refusal could be perceived as impolite, even provocative."
Elizabeth understood the subtext.
Lilith had the Moretti family backing her.
A blunt rejection could escalate a personal squabble between two women into a conflict between two powerful families. At the very least, it would make her look clueless and like she was causing trouble for Jacob.
And Jacob wasn't about to burn bridges with the Morettis for her sake. Not when they were, on the surface, still valuable partners.
"Then what do you suggest I do?" Elizabeth tossed the problem back to Tina, curious to hear her advice.
Tina lowered her gaze. "Protocol suggests you could graciously accept the invitation first. As for whether you actually attend, or how to handle the situation, perhaps you could consult Mr. Smith for his opinion."
'Leave it to Jacob?' Elizabeth scoffed internally.
Never mind whether Jacob would even bother with such a trivial, womanly dispute. Even if he did, his solution would likely be blunt and heavy-handed, not necessarily aligned with her own interests.
More importantly, she had no desire to depend on Jacob for every single decision.
"There's no need to bother Mr. Smith," Elizabeth said, handing the invitation back to Tina. "Reply for me. Thank Ms. Moretti for the kind invitation, and inform her that I will be there on time tomorrow."
If she couldn't avoid it, she might as well face it. It was time to see what this "unofficial fiancée" Samantha had described, Ms. Moretti, really was.
Besides, it was a rare opportunity to get a look inside the Moretti family's inner sanctum. Most people never got that chance.
Tina accepted the invitation, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes, as if she hadn't expected Elizabeth to agree so readily. This party was so obviously a setup. Why wouldn't Ms. Windsor seek Mr. Smith's protection?
But she quickly regained her composure. It wasn't her place to question, and she was, at the end of the day, merely a high-level servant.
Tina curtsied slightly. "Of course, Ms. Windsor. I will arrange for the car and gift for tomorrow. Will you require assistance in selecting a dress and accessories?"
"Nothing special. Something simple and appropriate will be fine," Elizabeth said. She didn't want to show up looking too flashy, giving them more ammunition.
"Very well." Tina confirmed, then added, "Ms. Moretti has a rather direct personality, and her tastes are quite pronounced. I would advise caution tomorrow, Ms. Windsor."
It was the most explicit warning Tina could offer.
"Thank you," Elizabeth nodded, turning to walk toward her room.
The next afternoon, sunlight slanted through the grand foyer of Smith Manor, casting long shadows across the polished floor.
A black SUV, lightly dusted with dirt, pulled up silently to the main entrance.
The door opened, and Jacob stepped out.
He was still in the same black shirt and trousers from the day before, though the fabric now bore a few subtle scuffs and the faint, metallic tang of blood. A relentless fatigue and a chilling aura clung to him, remnants of a sleepless night. His stride, however, remained steady and powerful.
Clearly, last night had involved another dangerous confrontation. And, unsurprisingly, he had emerged the victor.
He had just started up the steps when Richard, as if on cue, emerged from the living room, beaming. Dressed in a cream-colored casual suit, he looked exceptionally gentle and refined, a stark contrast to the cold, hard edge Jacob carried.
"Jacob, welcome back! Rough night?" Richard threw his arms open in an exaggerated gesture of welcome, his face plastered with a smug grin. "Heard things got a little loud on the West Side last night. But seeing you like this, I know it's all been handled perfectly! Truly the pillar of our Smith family!"
Jacob ignored the offered hug, brushing past him with nothing more than a glance as acknowledgment. He shrugged off his dusty jacket, handing it to a nearby servant.
Completely unfazed, Richard followed him into the living room. "Good thing you're back. There's something I need to tell you."