These are the infamous gangster brothers? They seem surprisingly relaxed at this point in time.
The woman observed Garry and Jimmy as they stood, joy and relaxation in their postures betraying their otherwise composed demeanor. She recalled the chaos they had stirred up after Lucian’s passing in her previous life, events that had left an undeniable impression on her. What surprised her most, however, was discovering how early their connection with Lucian had formed long before she had ever suspected.
Her thoughts raced as she took mental notes, cataloging the scene before her. Garry and Jimmy, pillars of power, once wrapped in notoriety, now appeared almost… ordinary.
With calculated calm, the woman pulled out the chair across from Lucian, the seat Garry had just vacated. She sat down slowly, deliberately.
Lucian, still frozen in shock, gawked at her as though he were seeing a ghost. His wide eyes reflected a mix of confusion and disbelief, his body seemingly rooted to the spot. It was clear he hadn’t anticipated this moment.
For a long second, no one spoke, the silence stretching thick in the air. Finally, the woman leaned forward, her expression unreadable but her gaze sharp.
Correcting his shocked state, Lucian blinked, his throat dry as he fumbled for words. The room, once tense with the energy of Garry and Jimmy’s presence, seemed to shift entirely under the weight of this unexpected meeting.
Lucian stared in stunned silence at the woman sitting across from him, his mind racing as if trying to solve an impossible puzzle. She had appeared out of nowhere, taken the seat Garry had vacated, and now sat before him with an air of confidence that made his pulse quicken. Her sharp, piercing eyes seemed to look straight through him, reading his every thought and unraveling his carefully guarded secrets.
She leaned back slightly in the chair, her demeanor relaxed but her gaze calculating. A faint smirk played on her lips, one that spoke of amusement and an unshakable confidence. Lucian, meanwhile, felt like his world was tilting. How the hell is she here? And why is she sitting in front of me?
His thoughts raced. Does she know? No… it’s impossible. Even with next 20 no 30 years, she couldn’t have pieced everything together. But why does she appeared in front of me? What’s her angle did she got it …or just a little coincidence? Lucian’s mind buzzed with anxiety, but he tried to keep his face neutral.
Behind her, Garry and Jimmy stood a good distance away, but their presence was impossible to miss. Their mischievous grins and exaggerated thumbs-up gestures directed toward Lucian made his lips twitch in irritation. The two looked like they were silently cheering him on, as though this were some romantic moment. Lucian wanted to scream. Idiots. This is not what you think it is.
The woman broke the silence, her voice laced with a playful sharpness.
“Close your mouth, will you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Lucian blinked and quickly shut his gaping mouth, straightening in his chair. His words stumbled out awkwardly, “I… I…” He froze, his throat dry as he tried to maintain some semblance of composure.
Her smirk widened. “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”
Lucian’s pulse raced as he attempted to regain control of the situation. Act normal. She might not know. This could just be a coincidence.
“Um… excuse me, miss. Do I know you? If not, can you tell me what you wanted to talk about?” He injected as much confusion into his tone as possible, hoping to feign ignorance.
The woman tilted her head, studying him like a predator toying with its prey. Her grin widened slightly, the amusement in her dark eyes deepening.
“You don’t know me?” she asked slowly, her tone mockingly skeptical.
Lucian swallowed hard. Why is she looking at me like that? “No, I don’t think we’ve ever met before,” he replied, forcing a smile and hoping it looked convincing.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, the playfulness in her demeanor shifting into something sharper. “Hmm. That’s funny.” She tapped a finger against the table as if pondering something. “You’re the infamous ‘stupid son’ of the Kane family, right? Everyone says you’re useless and untalented.”
Lucian flinched inwardly at her words but kept his expression blank.
She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping into a lower, more dangerous tone. “Yet, somehow, you responded perfectly to the command I gave you in Spanish earlier. And now, when I asked you in german if you knew me, not only you understand if fully you even answered fluently in German. Quite a contradiction for someone who supposedly isn’t good at anything.”
Lucian’s heart sank. Dammit. She noticed. He cursed his reflexive responses. Why didn’t I think before speaking?
“I think you’re mistaken,” Lucian said with a nervous chuckle. “I only know English. That’s it.”
The woman’s grin turned positively wolfish. “Is that so?” she asked, her tone dripping with mockery. Then, with a flick of her tongue, she switched to Russian. “but i just explained that all in Russian.”
Lucian froze. His sweat trickled down his back as he tried to maintain his composure. He hesitated for half a second too long.
Her smirk widened triumphantly. “You trying to fain ignorance,” she said in perfect French. “That’s confirmation enough.”
Lucian clenched his fists under the table, his mind racing for an out. “No, I didn’t. You misunderstood,” he tried to argue weakly, but she cut him off.
“Don’t bother lying. Your reaction said it all,” she said with a chuckle. “And this confirmed that you understand French.”
Lucian’s jaw tightened, but before he could stop himself, his expression gave her the answer she wanted. He cursed internally.
“Impressive,” she said, sitting back with a satisfied look. “You speak five languages fluently Spanish, German, Russian, French, and, of course, English. Not bad for someone labeled as ‘untalented.'”
Lucian let out a long sigh, his frustration mingled with a hint of reluctant admiration. This woman, he realized, was undoubtedly the most cunning and intelligent person he had ever encountered. While he had always been aware of her sharp mind and calculating nature, he hadn’t anticipated her brilliance to operate on such an extraordinary level.
—-
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