"I know."
I left before Daniel could question me further.
Inside the shower, I washed off the blood on my hands feeling slightly irritated.
The water ran red at first, going down the drain fast like diluted guilt.
I hated the very sight if blood yet I had to bathe in it every now and then just because of this fucked up mastermind.
I let the water flow down my head as several scenes kept replaying in my head.
"So don't let them win. Don't lose to them."
"Then don't lose to them."
"Just stay safe bro."
"Just stay safe son."
"He's name is Rucci Be-"
I punched my bathroom wall trying to get the lines out of my head, though I knew I couldn't.
I stared at the crack in the wall then at my injured hand.
More blood.
"Fuck!" I was really about to go nuts.
"Whenever you feel trapped just close your eyes, I will appear right I'm front of you."
My mom's words replayed in my head.
I closed my eyes, clenching my teeth together.
She lied to me.
I didn't see her.
"Rocco.." I called out.
He was going to pay, dearly at that.
I stepped out of the bathroom, got changed and took care of my wound.
By the time I composed myself fully and went back into my study, the area was already cleaned and Daniel was sitted waiting for me.
"Have you sent it?" I asked.
Daniel replied.
"Yes. But no reply."
"He'll come." I reassured him. "He'll come for his daughter."
If there was one thing men like Mr Voss treasured, it was the women around them.
Be it their mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins, or aunts.
"You sure?"
"I've heard she's the apple of his eye." I divulged.
Daniel smiled.
"Never realized you paid attention to gossip."
"You seem to have forgotten that I have A-class memory."
The atmosphere lightened a bit.
"I just hope this all goes smoothly." Daniel sighed.
"It will." I assured.
Night fell slower than usual or maybe it was just because I was anticipating it.
At exactly 9 PM, the gates opened.
"He's on time." Daniel said looking up from his watch.
Mr Voss was escorted to my terrace just outside my study.
He looked... different.
The usual cunning expression on his face was absent.
And that told me everything I needed to know.
"Mr Russo." He greeted me in a controlled tone.
"Mr Voss, have a sit." I said tilting my jaw to point to the sit in front of me.
He sat slowly like a man approaching his own execution.
"I assume you received my message?" I raised my brows.
"Is my daughter really d-"
I interrupted him.
"She's dead."
I saw his clench his jaw. "You-"
"I didn't kill her." I cut in rather smoothly. "If anything..."
I paused, leaning forward.
"She died because of you."
"Are trying to say I would kill my own daughter?" He asked.
"Oh you know what I'm talking about." I rolled my eyes.
"I have no idea about what you're saying." He said but the slight tremor in his voice betrayed him.
"Let me help you understand."
I made a signal to Mike and he passed me a brown envelope.
I took it from him and shoved it at Mr Voss.
His face turned white as a paper when he saw the content.
I knew he already realized at that moment that it was over for him.
It was his transaction history.
Proof of the money he sent to the media house that published the story.
"You funded the media to leak the story." I said calmly.
"I-"
"But I know you didn't plan it." I cut in. "You're not precise enough to do so."
He balled his palm into fists.
"So tell me...who sent you?" I finally asked the main question.
"I don't know." He answered almost immediately.
Wrong answer.
"Do you know what happens to people who lie to me?" I asked.
I leaned forward and whispered something into his hear.
He spoke only after I moved away from me.
He was looking at me like I was some kind of monster.
"I-I'm saying the truth." He stuttered a little.
"Speak now or forever stay silent Voss." I threatened.
"I only talked to him through a burner phone." He confessed.
"Funds?" I continued my questioning.
"An offshore account." He started cooperating.
"Try harder, that shouldn't be all you know." I didn't relent.
"He's telling the truth." Daniel butted in.
"I Know."
I already realized he had no idea who the actual boss was.
But why would he know nothing while his daughter knew virtually everything.
"Then why are you doing this?" He asked.
I shrugged.
"So your daughter's soul can rest in perfect peace."
He didn't respond.
"You used your daughter Voss." I said.
He shaked his head in denial.
"I didn't know it would get to this."
"That's belated, you already involved her and now she's gone." I threw the words straight at him.
"Please.." He begged. "Let me take my daughter's body."
"I'll give it to you." I said.
He sighed.
"Are you going to expose me?"
"Yes." I answered simply.
"I've told you all I am aware of, just spare me, I need to stay alive to avenge my daughter." Mr Voss pleaded.
I scoffed.
"You're getting useless."
"Please.." He bagged desperately.
"Get up." I instructed pulling out a gun from my pants pocket.
Mike approached him used a small brown sack to cover his face before moving away.
Mr Voss made muffled sounds from under the sack.
I cocked the gun and immediately shot him in the head.
From my years of experience, I knew that the head was a very fatal point.
One shot and the victim would be gone.
Mr Voss' body fell off the terrace and landed directly in the pool.
The next morning, the press conference hall was filled to the brim.
Everyone seemed to be over-curious about what he had to say.
All eyes were on me as I made my way into the small stage to take my seat next to my father, Belle, Adrian and
Gigi?
That was when I finally remembered that my engagement would be announced today.
I had totally forgotten.
My gaze swept the room trying to spot Daniel and Mike.
When I finally saw Daniel, he gave me a subtle nod, indicating that everything was set.
"Hope you have what it takes to prove yourself innocent?" My father whispered.
"You don't have anything to worry about." I answered.
"You can do this son." Gigi's encouraged in a low tone.
"You won't be disappointed." I said.
After some minutes, the press conference finally began.
"Mr Russo, why were you at the bar that night?" A reporter asked.
"I don't think it's a crime to go to a bar." I responded.
Murmurs rang across the room.
"For a man of your caliber, why would you stoop so low as to be involved in a one night stand?" The reporter continued.
I smirked.
"I think I'd prefer to answer that question once everyone has seen the video footage of the bar that night."
Once I said this, Daniel projected the footage we had recovered from the club.
The sound of music and voices echoed throughout the hall.
"Mr Russo."
"Didn't expect to see you here."
"Really?"
"Oh come on, loosen up."
"Let's just have fun."
"Enough."
"Mr Russo, you can't leave yet, the fun is yet to begin."
I saw the previous confidence in the reporter fade away when she heard my last statement.
"You should be thankful I don't hit women."
"You wrongly accused me, I can file a case against you." I said pointedly once the video stopped.
"I was just asking a question, I didn't say you did it." She sneered.
I raised my hand showing off the recorder in it.
I waved the recorder.
"You can deny it all you want, I have proof."
The smug look on her face fell.
Fortunately for her, she decided to exit the hall of her own accord before I could tell my bodyguards throw her out.
Another reported took over the questioning.
"Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, I would like to ask a question." The new reporter said.
"Go on." I responded.
"We are all curious, why is Mrs Belmont here today?" He asked.
I turned to face Gigi and nodded my head.
Taking my action as a go ahead, Gigi took the mic and stood.
"As you all know, I am Gigi Belmont, CEO of Belmont fashion empire."
She paused.
"I want to announce to you all present here that my daughter and Vincent Russo will be getting engaged soon."
The crowd went silent in shock.
They were never expecting such an alliance to happen, ever.
At this same moment, the double doors of the hall opened and Mayelle stepped in.
Her dark blue suit dress stuck to her body, bringing out her well carved curves.
It wasn't until she was standing right in front of me that I finally realized we were matching.
We were both wearing dark blue.
"Mom, uncle,aunt." She greeted.
"Hope I'm not late." She said to me.
"I wouldn't say you came late, but you're not early either."
"Boring." She said, taking her seat next to me.