"Boss, everything has been handled as you instructed," a man dressed in black said respectfully.
"Great job, Tiger," the man in brown casual but elegant clothes replied. He was sitting quietly at the corner of a cafe close to the Logan Hotel.
"What instructions?" another man asked as he approached their table carrying two cups of coffee. He wore gray casual clothes and sat down opposite the man in brown.
"You may leave, Tiger," the man in brown said casually.
"Yes, sir," Tiger replied before bowing slightly and leaving the cafe.
"Cain, what did you ask him to do?" the man in gray asked curiously.
"Nothing serious, Jade," Cain replied nonchalantly.
"Oh, if you say so." Jade shrugged. "But where did you disappear to after the party the other night?"
Cain looked at Jade calmly, but there was a trace of coldness in his eyes.
Noticing the look, Jade swallowed and looked away.
"You know… if you don't want to talk about it, you can just say so."
Cain finally looked away and spoke.
"That night, I was drugged. I ended up spending the night with someone. When I woke up, I thought she was one of the people who set me up so I just left without bothering to look at her face. But after investigating, I realized we had simply ended up in the same place by coincidence."
He paused slightly.
"By the time I figured that out, it was already too late because other problems came up. So I could only send a message with breakfast, promising that I would meet her again."
He leaned back in his chair.
"The problem is… I don't know who she is."
"You did what?!" Jade exclaimed, standing up suddenly.
"Cain, you know that if anyone finds out about this—especially those people—that girl is doomed. And anyone related to her too," Jade said with worry and frustration.
"I know," Cain replied calmly. "That's why I told Tiger to erase everything related to me from that day."
Jade stared at him in disbelief.
"You know why we're here," he said with a sigh. "We'll do what we came to do while cooperating with other companies as a disguise. Meanwhile, you can try to find that mysterious girl of yours."
He added teasingly, "Your mysterious one-night girl."
Cain simply looked at Jade before turning his gaze toward the window.
"So," Jade continued, "which company do you think we should cooperate with?"
"Logan Company," Cain replied without hesitation.
"Huh? Why them?" Jade asked, confused.
"At the party the other night, I noticed that the Logans have a very strong hold in this city. Their business constantly leads the market, and their stock prices are impressive. Moreover…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"While investigating my drugging, I discovered that the girl who was involved with me might have some connection with them."
"Oh, I see," Jade nodded. "You're right about the business part. I found the same information."
He leaned forward.
"But I also heard that the CEO is only twenty years old. People call her the Ice Queen because of how ruthlessly she dominates the business market."
Jade chuckled slightly.
"Honestly, I admire that."
Cain didn't respond. He continued watching the people passing outside the window.
"But I wonder if the Ice Queen is beautiful," Jade said thoughtfully while resting his chin on his hand.
Cain glanced at him and shook his head slightly.
Suddenly a woman approached their table.
"Hi, handsome. Do you mind if I get your contact?" she asked while looking at Cain.
Cain glanced at her briefly, then looked away without saying a word.
The woman looked embarrassed.
Jade quickly tried to ease the awkwardness.
"Don't mind him," Jade said with a smile. "He's just deep in thought. But if you want my contact, I'd be happy to give it to you."
The woman rolled her eyes and walked away.
"Huh. What an attitude," Jade muttered. "She acts like she's royalty."
Cain smirked slightly at Jade's comment.
Just then, the cafe door opened.
A woman in elegant formal work attire walked inside. Her outfit accentuated her figure, and her hair was tied neatly in a high bun with soft bangs framing her face. She carried nothing except her phone, yet her presence alone commanded attention.
She walked toward the counter.
"Oh, hello Miss Logan," one of the staff greeted warmly.
"Hello, Azan," she replied with a polite smile.
"What can I get for you today?" Azan asked cheerfully.
Tara pretended to think for a moment.
"Just give me the usual. But please make sure the food doesn't have too much sugar," she said with a soft laugh.
"It'll be ready soon. Please have a seat while you wait."
Tara nodded politely and walked to a table—the one right next to Cain and Jade.
As she waited for her order, she got busy with her phone when a shadow suddenly fell across the table.
She looked up.
Standing there was Cone Brade.
"Hello, Miss Logan."
Tara looked at him coldly.
"Mr. Brade. What can I do for you at this time?"
"I just wanted to check if you had thought about my offer," Brade said with a smug smile.
"Oh?" Tara said with fake curiosity. "Please sit and tell me more about this offer."
Brade smiled greedily and sat down.
"So… about the offer?" Tara prompted.
"Well," Brade said proudly, "you marry me as my second wife, and in return I'll make the Logan family even more powerful in this city. I can even create stronger connections outside the city."
Tara slowly looked at him.
Then she asked calmly,
"Is that all you can offer for such a bargain?"
Brade's smile began to fade.
"What do you mean?"
"I think the real question is whether you know who you're talking to," Tara replied calmly.
At that moment, Azan called out.
"Miss Logan, your order is ready."
"Coming," Tara replied as she stood.
Before leaving, she turned back to Brade.
"Mr. Cone Brade, the Logan family has three daughters. I don't know which Miss Logan that message was meant for."
Her eyes turned icy.
"But it definitely wasn't meant for me."
She leaned slightly closer. Looking coldly at Brade as she said,
"This Miss Logan happens to be the CEO of Logan Company."
"And I can guarantee you that I don't need your shady offer—nor will I ever need it."
She paused.
"Oh, and before I forget…"
Her voice became dangerously calm.
"The next time you come to me or my family with such an offer, I won't politely explain where you went wrong."
"I'll simply destroy that little thing you call power, status, and influence."
Without another word, Tara walked to the counter, collected her order, thanked the staff, and left the cafe with silent dominance.
Jade stared in amazement.
"Oh my… that woman has an aura almost like yours, Cain."
Cain didn't reply.
His eyes followed Tara until she disappeared into the Logan Hotel.
"Cain," Jade said thoughtfully, "if she really is the CEO of Logan Company, then this deal won't be easy. She doesn't look like someone you can manipulate."
Cain slowly smirked.
"That's the fun part."