Sam glanced at Angus's expression, then frowned. "I believe Ms. Valtieri isn't the type to do this. Perhaps she's just playing him. What do you think, though? After all, the salary we've been paying her is barely enough."
Angus didn't respond, his silence enough of an answer. Sam sighed quietly, returning his focus to his phone.
Silas narrowed his eyes. "Is Ms. Valtieri really so easy to deal with?"
Liesa raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp. "What else can I do? You've got your evidence now. If I don't agree, I'm sure you won't let me stay here any longer."
Silas smiled, his expression cold. "Your words don't sound too friendly, Ms. Valtieri. For a partnership to work, both parties have to be satisfied. Given your current stance, I don't think we have much more to discuss."
Liesa looked genuinely surprised, then let out a small laugh. "Mr. Silas Romano, you're quite the joker. Who in their right mind would get upset over something like this? I've told you—if you offer more money, I'm happy to work for you."
Silas stared at her, the wariness still in his eyes. "Really?"
"Of course, really," Liesa shot him a sideways glance. "You've probably already done your research. I need money—desperately. As long as you pay, I don't care who my employer is."
Hearing her so openly admit to her lack of loyalty, Sam couldn't help but feel disgusted. "Ms. Valtieri, how could you? You seemed like a decent person, but your standards are so low. You'll take anyone's money. Is it that we're not paying enough?"
Sam paused, thinking for a moment.
Sam cleared his throat, sensing the shift in the room. "Still, that doesn't mean she should betray us so quickly. Mr. Romano, Ms. Valtieri is young. She might be easily influenced by the wrong people. How about I go and bring her back?"
Angus's voice remained calm as he replied, "No need."
Sam hesitated, glancing at Angus for a moment, but seeing no change in his expression, he fell silent.
It seemed like a deal between Liesa and Silas was inevitable. Since Angus hadn't stopped her, Sam figured he had no intention of firing her just yet.
Silas tilted his head, his gaze thoughtful. "I believe you, but if one day, Angus offers you a higher price, would you switch sides again?"
Despite pursuing this partnership, Silas couldn't shake the unease at how easily she had agreed.
Liesa chuckled softly, her eyes glinting. "Do you really think someone like Angus would waste that much money on a traitor?"
He smiled, his tone warm but calculating. "Fifteen million for an informant is a bit much, but I do admire your character, Ms. Valtieri. Paying that amount for a chance to work with you? Worth it."
As he extended his hand to her, Liesa studied it for a long moment, her gaze sharp. Then she smiled, her eyes gleaming. "Though Angus doesn't visit the old mansion often, this is still his home. He probably has plenty of eyes and ears around here. We should be careful."
Silas quickly withdrew his hand. "Ms. Valtieri is right."
As soon as he spoke, a servant emerged from the warehouse with a box of Geisha Coffee. Liesa nodded at Silas, adding, "I'll send you my bank account details when I get back."
Silas acknowledged her quietly, their eyes meeting for a brief moment before they both turned and walked away in opposite directions.
Liesa walked gracefully, maintaining her smile and composure. But as soon as she rounded the corner, she let out a long breath and quickened her pace toward the bedroom.
Angus calmly switched off the listening device.
Sam, standing nearby, hesitated before speaking up. "Mr. Romano, what's the next move? Do we send her away immediately, or let her play along with our plan?" The decision rested with Angus.
It was a pity. The device had confirmed that Liesa wasn't working for either side, but it also showed that she wasn't someone with a strong will.
A little flattery from Silas had already swayed her. Someone like that could be useful to manipulate, but she couldn't be kept close to Angus for long.
Angus didn't immediately answer Sam's question. He seemed unfazed, almost detached. The two stood in silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken tension, before the door opened and Liesa walked back in, smiling. "Mr. Romano, your coffee."
Angus looked at her, his dark eyes seeming to pierce through her, reading her every thought.
Liesa paused, feeling an odd tension in the air. She walked over to him, unsure of what to make of his gaze.
"Let me handle it," Sam said, quickly taking the coffee from her hands and moving to prepare it.
Angus's eyes never left her, his gaze unwavering. Liesa blinked, offering a nervous laugh. "What's wrong?"
"You have something to say?" Angus's voice was low, calm, yet carrying a quiet intensity.
Liesa paused, confused by his tone. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, she could feel the change in Angus's energy. His presence had grown intense, almost threatening. The words she'd intended to say shifted. "Well, Mr. Romano, I just tricked Silas out of fifteen million!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, a glass cup clinked against the table beside her. She glanced over to see Sam, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Apologies, I'm getting a bit unsteady in my old age."
Liesa offered a smile of understanding, but when she turned back, she caught a small, fleeting smile tugging at Angus's lips—so brief it could've been a figment of her imagination. If that even counted as a smile.
"What happened?" Angus's voice cut through the silence, his gaze still sharp, waiting for an answer.
Liesa hesitated, then slowly recounted the entire conversation, telling the truth with the simplicity of a child explaining something innocent.
By the time she finished, her mouth had gone dry.
Sam, noticing, handed her a glass of water. She accepted it gratefully, drinking deeply.