Seeing Angus had no intention of returning to his book, Sam stepped behind him and slowly pushed the wheelchair toward the bedroom.
Once inside, Sam closed the door gently behind them.
Angus pulled out his phone and opened an app with practiced ease. The screen lit up, showing it was connecting.
Sam leaned closer. "Miss Valtieri is wearing the brooch now," he said. "We should know her identity soon."
Angus didn't reply. His eyes stayed on the screen, unreadable.
Sam hesitated, then spoke again. "But we can't be certain right away," he added. "What if she has strong counter-surveillance skills?"
He lowered his voice. "If she realizes there's a listening device in the brooch, she might turn it against us."
The thought hung in the air, heavy and unsettling.
After all, no one could guarantee she didn't have that kind of ability.
Silence filled the room.
Sam glanced at Angus, frustration flickering across his face. "Sir, if Miss Valtieri doesn't slip up," he asked, "what should we do next?"
Angus didn't answer immediately.
His mind drifted back to that morning—Liesa stepping in front of him without hesitation, blocking the flying object.
He remembered the sharp cut on her ear. The blood staining her shirt.
Everyone thought he hadn't seen it.
But he had seen everything.
"If she doesn't make a mistake," Angus said at last, his voice calm, "leave her alone for now."
Sam blinked, caught off guard.
He studied Angus in silence, confusion settling in.
Sam understood one thing clearly—if Liesa could stay clean under constant surveillance, she might truly be innocent.
Still, hearing Angus sound so calm made something in his chest tighten.
He glanced at Angus, about to speak, when the phone suddenly buzzed. The connection went through.
The next second, Liesa's voice burst out from the device.
"You bastard, Angus Romano," she snapped, her voice full of anger. "Are you even human?"
"You know Richard Grayson hates me and looks down on me," she went on, pacing somewhere on the other end.
"And you still want me to walk right up to him?" she added bitterly. "What, you don't care if I get killed?"
Angus stared at the phone, silent.
Sam blinked. "…?"
He had expected something cautious, maybe guarded.
Instead, he got this. He'd heard Liesa's insults directed at Angus—then, in an unexpected turn, heard her venting her frustration at him too.
Sam's lips twitched as he listened. Within seconds, a conclusion formed in his mind.
This was the fastest anyone had ever cleared suspicion in his book.
Sam almost felt embarrassed for doubting her earlier.
"Sir?" Sam asked carefully, glancing at Angus.
Angus finally lifted his head. His expression hadn't changed at all—still cold, still distant.
"I'm firing her," Angus said flatly, as if it were the most natural conclusion.
Sam blinked again, completely thrown off. "…?"
After muttering a few quiet curses, Liesa finally felt a little better.
She glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then let out a small breath.
A bright, genuine smile returned to her face as she raised her hand and knocked on the door.
Back in the room, Sam fell silent.
He was just about to say something when the knocking sound came through the phone.
Sam straightened at once, focusing on the audio.
Outside, Liesa waited patiently.
A moment later, the door opened, revealing Nina.
Nina's gaze swept over Liesa from head to toe—the fitted dress, the delicate brooch.
A flicker of jealousy crossed her eyes.
"Hi, Miss Swanson," Liesa greeted with a cheerful smile.
Nina glanced back into the room before lowering her voice. "What are you doing here?" she asked, frowning.
"I came to check on Mr. Grayson," Liesa replied, her tone polite.
Nina let out a cold laugh. "Not necessary," she said sharply. "You're not welcome here. Leave."
She moved to shut the door immediately.
Liesa reacted fast. She grabbed the edge of the door before it could close.
Nina pushed. Liesa held firm.
The two fell into a quiet standoff.
Nina's strength couldn't compare. Her face quickly flushed red from the effort.
"I said you're not welcome," Nina snapped, glaring at her. "Do you have no shame?"
Liesa blinked innocently. "Miss Swanson, that's a bit harsh," she said mildly.
"I came to see Mr. Grayson, not Silas," she added. "How does that make me shameless?"
Nina froze for a second. Then her expression darkened further.
Anger flared in her chest.
"You think that gives you leverage?" Nina snapped. "Don't act like I don't know what kind of person you are. You're obviously—"
"Who's out there?" Silas's voice came from inside, calm but alert.
Nina stiffened instantly. A flash of panic crossed her face.
She had no intention of going through another round of scolding.
Liesa didn't care about Nina's reaction at all.
The moment she heard Silas's voice, she raised her own, clear and steady.
"Mr. Silas Grayson, it's Liesa Valtieri," she said. "I heard Mr. Grayson was injured, so Angus asked me to check on him."
"If it weren't for you people, Richard wouldn't have gotten hurt," Nina snapped loudly, deliberately raising her voice.
"And you still have the nerve to come here?" she added sharply.
A brief silence followed from inside.
Then Silas spoke again, calm as ever. "Come in."