Chapter 86: A Risky Maneuver

Roseline was aware that time was running out.  Ronaldo would firmly establish his hold on her life if she didn't act quickly.  Every question was a trap, every look was a test, and every conversation felt like a tightrope walk.  

But if she had learnt anything from living under his rule, it was that authority could be used against her.  There were weaknesses in even the most vicious men.  She had also located Ronaldo's.  

His company.  

Ronaldo had been working in the background for years, accumulating his wealth through shaky but profitable alliances.  He depended on loyalty, loyalty forged via secrets and terror.  And the paranoia he so skilfully hid behind his composed exterior was the one thing she could use to weaken his grip.  

She approached him that evening as he was heading out to meet with Colton's men.  

She crept into his office and opened the drawer containing his private papers, her fingers shaking.  She only needed to know enough to sow doubt in the minds of people who trusted him, not all the answers.  

She might be planning something, based on a few carefully positioned papers and a message left on a burner phone that she knew his men kept an eye on.  

She wasn't careless enough to reveal it.  She didn't want Ronaldo to believe that she had completely betrayed him.  No, she desired for him to become introspective and begin to question people in his immediate vicinity.  He wouldn't anticipate her next move if he was combating his paranoia.  

Her pulse was pounding by the time she withdrew back to her chamber.  She didn't know how long the false information would take to spread, but she wouldn't have to wait long if she had done it correctly.  

She was also correct.  

The tension in the house was evident the following day.  When they believed she wasn't looking, Ronaldo's men glanced in her direction while whispering to one another.  

At breakfast, Ronaldo was unusually quiet. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he barely touched his meal, his eyes fixed on something far away.

Then, as if he felt her gaze on him, he suddenly turned around.

"Roseline," he said in an unclear voice. "Is there anything you’re not sharing with me? "

She made an effort to stay calm even though her heart raced.

Tilting her head in confusion, she echoed, "Hiding something? Why would I? "

He remained silent for a moment. Then he smiled. But it was not a warm smile.

"That’s what piques my interest. "

He tossed his napkin onto the table, pushed his chair back, and stood up. "I have something to attend to. Stay here. "

 Then he disappeared.  

Roseline let out a breath, but it wasn't long.  

Because Ronaldo's attitude had changed when he returned that evening.  

Something more dangerous took the place of the normal, controlled anger to which she had become accustomed.  

Be calm.  

Chilly.  

Calculated.  

He poured himself a drink while leaning against his desk.  He remarked, "You know, Roseline, I've always appreciated how intelligent you are."  

She remained silent, watching him carefully.  

Then he added, "But cleverness can be a double-edged sword," while swirling the amber liquid in his glass.  

She stiffened.  

He set down the glass with a soft clink and met her gaze.   "I had a really interesting conversation today.   Rumours about you have been circulating.  

Roseline was feeling nauseous.  

"Strums?" she repeated.  

After examining her for a while, Ronaldo chuckled.  "Yes.  There are rumours that you may be preparing something.  It would be incredibly foolish.  

She made herself look into his eyes.  "And do you believe them?"  

He approached her slowly at first, then again.  

He tilted his head a little and said, "I don't know yet."  "But, Roseline, you wouldn't lie to me, would you?"  

He had a smooth voice with a hint of menace.  

At her sides, her hands balled into fists.  "I'm not lying about anything."  

Ronaldo grinned broadly, but his eyes were not amused.  "Good."  

Suddenly, he took a step back and picked up his drink as though the conversation had never taken place.  

Roseline, however, was wiser.  

The game was far from over, but she had won this round.  

She came to a realisation that night while lying in bed and gazing up at the ceiling.  

Ronaldo had more than a suspicion of her.  

He waited.  

Waiting for her to do something inappropriate.  

And he would hit her when she did.

Long after Ronaldo had left the room, Roseline still felt the weight of his warning pressing down on her chest.  He was keeping a close eye on her every move because he knew something, maybe not everything.  

She made herself think as she lay in the dark.  Despite his suspicions, he had not yet taken any action.  He was therefore unsure.  He was putting her to the test. Waiting for her to make a mistake.  

She refused.  

She *couldn't*.  

A thought, however, that sent a chill down her spine, began to creep in.  

Had she exercised enough caution?  Had she completely hidden herself?  

Her breath caught.  

The phone that burns.  

She had removed all traces of her involvement by wiping her fingerprints, but what if something had gone wrong?  What if she had been spotted?  

Roseline's fists clenched.  No.  She couldn't afford to become overly suspicious.  She needed to maintain her composure.  

The escape route was still open.  

But she would need to move fast.  

---  

Roseline moved with deliberate precision the following morning, taking care to maintain the appearance of normalcy.  She went about her daily business, watching Ronaldo's every move and forcing herself to eat and engage in small talk when needed.  

He was preoccupied.  

Tense.  

Whatever it was that had thrown him off balance, she could tell.  However, that only increased his danger.  

Sam needed to give her an update.  

But since she was positive Ronaldo had someone watching her phone, she couldn't take the chance of calling him.  

She therefore took the only action she could.  

She sent a message.  

It wasn't straightforward, but it was sufficiently laced with coded language for Sam to comprehend.  

She knew Sam had access to the book she always left in the library, so she tucked the note inside.  He would find it if he stopped by.  

She had no choice but to wait now.  

---  

Roseline walked back and forth in her bedroom that night, waiting for any sign that something had gone awry as the walls seemed to close in on her.

Then she caught it just as she was about to give up hope.

There was a faint rustle outside her window.

She hurried over and pressed her face against the glass. Sam was standing in the shadows, barely visible in the moonlight.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She carefully opened the window, allowing their voices to fill the room.

"You’re taking too many risks," he said in a concerned whisper.

"I have no other choices," she replied. "Sam, Ronaldo *knows*. He may not be observing me in every way.

Sam exhaled deeply. "Therefore, we need to act more quickly. "

"I need more time," she murmured. He'll know if we hurry this. He’ll catch me before I can escape.

Sam nodded but looked frustrated. "I’ll find a way to get you out. Please hold on.

She swallowed hard. "What if I can’t? "

He hesitated before answering. "I’ll come to get you myself then. "

Before she could respond, a voice shattered the silence, causing a lump to rise in her throat.

"What in the world are you doing? "

Roseline's blood ran cold as she turned around.

Ronaldo stood in the doorway, fury apparent on his face.

Her heart stopped.

He knew.

And there was no turning back now.