Luciano nodded once.
"Our working theory is that he wasn't acting alone. He was hired. And whoever hired him is still operating locally."
Silence.
Luciano added:
"The employee involved in the sabotage may has become unstable . He was being watched."
Daniel's gaze darkened.
"Watched?"
"Yes, sir. Phone records suggest he was contacted repeatedly before his death."
"By the assassin?"
Luciano shook his head.
"By an intermediary."
"Surely he wanted to pay him. The employee couldn't do it without any recompense " Jade said.
Someone above.
Someone careful.
Jade's mind moved quickly.
"So the assassin is just a tool."
Daniel nodded slightly.
"And tools don't stay unless there's more work."
The implication hung in the room.
More work.
Luciano spoke again.
"We believe the person who hired him is still in the city. Monitoring. Waiting."
Daniel's voice dropped.
"For what?"
Luciano met his eyes.
"For your next move."
Silence.
This wasn't random violence.
This was pressure.
Jade felt it too.
"This isn't about Helix anymore," she murmured.
"No," Daniel replied calmly.
"It's about control."
He looked at Luciano.
"Double security. Quietly."
"Yes, sir."
"And don't let this leak."
Luciano nodded and left.
The door closed.
Jade turned slowly toward Daniel.
"So while we're arguing about Camilla and Ella…"
"Someone is testing me," Daniel finished.
His expression was no longer playful.
It was sharp.
Calculated.
Dangerous.
.
.
The silence after Luciano left felt heavier than before.
Jade was the first to speak.
"This is getting strange."
Daniel didn't respond immediately.
She stepped closer.
"No. Think about it. Whoever this is… they're not just sabotaging Helix. They're provoking you."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"They killed an employee."
"Yes," she insisted. "But they made sure you would trace it. They're still in the city. It's like they want you to know."
Daniel looked at her sharply.
"You're overanalyzing."
"No, I'm not."
Her voice lowered.
"This person wants to reach you. Not just hurt your company. You."
Silence.
And the truth was… she wasn't wrong.
She took a breath.
"Daniel, involve me."
His expression changed instantly.
"No."
Her eyebrows shot up.
"No?"
"No."
She crossed her arms.
"You think I can't handle it?"
"I think it's dangerous."
"And?"
"And I won't expose you to that."
Her eyes flashed.
"You don't get to decide that alone."
"I do," he said calmly. "When it concerns your safety."
She stepped closer.
"Stop trying to protect me by excluding me."
His voice dropped.
"If this person is bold enough to hire an assassin and stay in town… this isn't a game."
"Exactly. Which is why I need to know."
He shook his head slightly.
"No."
Her jaw tightened.
"You're making a mistake."
"And you're being reckless."
The tension shifted.
Sharp.
Frustrated.
She grabbed her bag.
"Fine."
"Jade."
"If you won't involve me, then don't expect me to stay blind."
She walked toward the door.
"Jade."
She didn't turn.
And she left.
.
.
The air outside felt colder than usual.
Her mind was racing.
Who is this person?
Why does he want to hurt Daniel?
She walked toward her car, distracted.
Jade was still distracted by her argument with Daniel when she nearly walked straight into someone.
"Oh— I'm sorry," she said automatically, not really looking up.
"It's my fault."
The voice was calm. Smooth.
She looked up.
And froze.
Wow.
The man standing in front of her looked… unreal.
White hair — not old, not grey — but a striking silver-white, slightly messy yet styled like it was intentional.
It suited him.
A dark fitted shirt, half unbuttoned at the top, revealing a glimpse of defined chest.
And tattoos.
From his left arm… climbing upward.
Intricate black ink that disappeared under his shirt, stretching toward his collarbone.
Her eyes lingered a second too long.
He noticed.
A slow smile curved his lips.
"You alright?" he asked.
She blinked, snapping back.
"Yes. I wasn't looking."
"I noticed
There was something teasing in his tone.
She cleared her throat slightly.
"You dropped this," she said, handing him a document.
"Thank you."
He glanced at the building behind her.
"We're at Ooman Construction, correct?"
She shook her head.
"No. This is Ooman Network."
He looked at the sign again.
Then back at her.
"Ah. I must have confused them."
"They're not the same company," she said lightly. "Ooman Construction is two blocks that way."
She pointed across the avenue.
"The dark building with the glass façade."
He followed her gesture, nodding.
"I see."
He looked mildly amused.
"First day in town. I suppose I should learn the geography before making assumptions."
She allowed a small smile.
"Probably."
"I'm looking for Riguel Ooman," he added.
Her expression shifted slightly.
"Oh. Then yes, definitely Ooman Construction."
He extended his hand politely.
"Liam de Gaulle."
She blinked.
The name sounded… European.
Old money.
She shook it.
"Jade."
Before either of them could say anything else, a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Well, I see you found the right building after all."
Jade turned.
Riguel was walking toward them, sunglasses in hand, looking amused.
Liam's lips curved into a grin.
"There you are."
Riguel stopped in front of them, glancing between Jade and Liam.
"For a second, I thought you were missing."
"I made a small geographical error," Liam replied calmly.
Riguel laughed.
"You went to Network first, didn't you?"
Jade blinked.
"You two know each other?"
Riguel smirked.
"Unfortunately."
Liam shook his head.
"Best friend, actually."
Riguel looked at Jade.
"And I see you've already met."
Jade nodded slowly.
"He was looking for Ooman Construction."
"And got lost," Riguel added.
"I wouldn't call it lost," Liam corrected smoothly. "Just… redirected."
Riguel's eyes flickered between them again, slightly amused.
"So you met Jade before meeting me?"
Liam looked at Riguel, eyebrow lifting slightly.
"You know her?"
Riguel crossed his arms casually.
"She's Daniel's fiancée."
There was a brief pause.
Liam glanced at Jade.
Then back at Riguel.
"Ah."
Not shocked.
Just registering information.
"Well," he said lightly, "then I suppose I should thank her properly for guiding me."
Riguel laughed.
"Careful."
Jade raised a brow.
"Careful?"
Riguel smirked.
"She bites."
Liam's gaze flicked back to Jade.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Jade rolled her eyes.
"You two are exhausting already."
Riguel clapped Liam lightly on the shoulder.
"Come on. Let's go inside before you wander into another company."
Liam stepped back slightly, but before following, he looked at Jade once more.
"Thanks again."
"Don't get lost," she replied calmly.
Riguel shook his head as they walked away.
"You always manage to create an entrance."
"I didn't create anything," Liam replied smoothly. "It just happened."
And Jade watched them enter Ooman Construction.
For some reason…
The day just got more interesting.