"Did you wait for too long?" A question announced Lucy's arrival.

Zaria offered a polite smile. She had been unable to see the content of the text message before Lucy arrived, but she saw that the sender was Zeus. It made her all the more curious but she could only mind her own business for now.

"Set up a meeting with the Qins as soon as possible. Zaria, are you even listening to me?" Lucy shook the latter when she realized that the latter didn't seem to have heard a word of her instructions.

"I will." Zaria sighed as they arrived at their destination. "Imperium Sparks Hotel?" She was surprised when she realized where they were.

"Let's have breakfast here." Lucy got down from the car, not giving Zaria the chance to say that she was already full. She could only follow her into the restaurant and have a seat opposite her.

"Take note of everything you like about this place as well as everything you dislike." Lucy instructed her before waving a waitress over.

"Good morning," the waitress offered them a smile.

"Your uniform is ugly." Lucy commented after looking her up and down. The young woman was obviously stunned.

"I understand that everyone has their own tastes." She smiled even though Lucy was glaring at her. "What would you like to have for breakfast? We have several specialties today."

"I want nothing but to fire you." Lucy rested her chin on her hand as she looked up at the beautiful young woman.

Zaria had already caught on what Lucy was trying to do, but the young woman almost couldn't hide her confusion. She glanced at the two of them and once again smiled. "I don't think you are having a good morning, ma'am. Would you like a cup of hot chocolate? It will make you feel better."

"Are you saying that I'm crazy?" Lucy narrowed her eyes, to which the young woman's eyes widened.

"Just unhappy. How about tiramisu? It works like a charm." She went on to the next offer while ignoring Lucy's uncalled for comments.

"Don't bother coming to work tomorrow. I will have your manager fire you." Lucy threatened.

"Ma'am, did I do something to upset you?" The waitress finally couldn't take it anymore. She didn't want to lose her job!

"Yes. You look like my husband's mistress! Can't I hate you?" Lucy looked so serious that Zaria almost burst into laughter.

It took a while for the young woman to process the words. When she did, she turned to leave but as though she had a better idea, she turned resolutely and faced Lucy. "You cannot hate me for things no one can control like my appearance. If I see your husband's mistress, I will scold her and help you fire her from her job. Do you still want your breakfast?"

Zaria placed their orders and quickly sent the waitress away before Lucy could continue scolding her. She could clearly see the latter fight back her anger after being picked on.

"Why would you do that?" Zaria asked for confirmation once they were on their own.

"She should expect to meet unreasonable patrons once in a while. If she meets an aggressive patron, will she break down in tears?" Lucy explained.

"All you want to know is whether or not the staff here are well trained." Zaria shook her head.

When their orders arrived, Lucy called back the waitress before she could rush away.

"Did I breathe like your husband's mistress this time?" She asked, upset about Lucy's behaviour.

Lucy laughed. "I'm single."

The waitress was confused. If she was single, then what was all that about her looking like her husband's mistress which deserved her hatred?

When the manager contacted her later and said that she had been promoted to a higher position, she was even more confused. Working in such grand hotels paid a lot but serving those billionaires was really not a walk in the park.

…

Zaria followed Lucy to inspect all the resorts and hotels owned by the Sparks family. By the time they were done, she felt as though she could drop down and fall into slumber.

"Why are all these details needed? Did you finally decide to collaborate with the Sparks?" Zaria asked as they returned to Preston and Fort Group.

"Don't be silly. I only want to know how to topple them." Lucy snickered.

Zaria had nothing more to say. "I see."

In the past, she would have been amazed by Lucy's way of thinking, keeping the enemy close in order to find the best way to destroy them. However, all she could think of now was that she was the enemy Lucy wanted to keep close.

"Are you alright? You have been out of it the whole day." Lucy reached to pat her head, only for Zaria to avoid her touch.

"I'm okay. Just tired." She left the car and walked into the elevator in large strides, leaving Lucy behind.

Lucy absent-mindedly went to her office. Something had changed. Zaria no longer trusted her, which was obvious from her behaviour. Just as she sat down behind the desk, Zeus arrived.

"I thought you wouldn't come." She looked up at him.

"You thought wrong." Zeus crossed his arms. "I'm here for work. Why would you be certain that I'm not coming?"

"Just get out of my sight." She was in no mood to deal with her son right now.

_

When Zaria got back to her office, the first thing that crossed her mind was the search she had been doing this morning.

If she were to ask Skeleton for help…

She shook her head as soon as the thought crossed her mind. The last time she asked Skeleton to challenge Zeus, the latter rejected the idea even without trying and conceded defeat. It was impossible even before she asked.

The door opened and she quickly exited the window, looking behind her.

"It's you." She smiled when she saw Desmond walk in.

He pressed a kiss on her cheek. "Are you not happy to see me, my love?"

"What if I'm not?" She teased. It was refreshing to finally see a face that brightened her day after hours of being beside the person she no longer trusted.

"Then I'll make you happy." He ran his thumb down her cheek and cupped her face. "First, let's get rid of all the trouble."

"What trouble?" She looked up into his eyes.

He tapped her nose. "The one on your mind. Are you still upset about what happened at the banquet?"

She shook her head and rested her head on his chest. "Desmond, I'm just so confused."

"You can tell me anything." He patted her back.

She looked back at the door and couldn't bring herself to speak with the possibility that Lucy could be listening in on them. It was creepy to think that there could be a bug in her office, so she pulled his hand. "Let's talk about it somewhere else."

"My place?" He asked and she nodded.

…

"Would you like something to drink? Black coffee?" He offered as he gently placed her on the couch.

"I'm alright." She curled on the couch comfortably.

He smiled down at her. "How about something sweet—like my lips?" He offered. When she didn't respond, he leaned over.

She pecked him on the lips and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Just hold me."

He sat on the couch and took her onto his lap, holding her tightly.

"Des, even with all these bodyguards around me, it still feels like danger lurks." She looked up at him as she swallowed.

"Did something happen?" He asked gently.

She sighed, torn in between telling him and not wanting to worry him. In the end, she gripped his hand. "I'm starting to think that my mother isn't really as good as she seems."

"What did she do?" He didn't rush into a conclusion before assessing the origin of her thoughts.

"My father's accident…" She paused when she heard a bang followed by the shrill yell of a woman.

She slid off Desmond's lap to check what was happening.

Alyssa was here, which was not a good sign.

"You bitch!" She threw her bag at Zaria, which the latter blocked.

"Alyssa Fort!" Desmond glared at her.

It took both women by surprise, and it was apparent that he had had enough of his mother's tantrums.

"What did you call me?" She paused in her drama and looked at her son in disbelief.

"Is that not your name? Get lost if you have nothing better than to cause trouble here." He demanded.

Tears immediately flooded Alyssa's face as she laughed in disbelief. "How great. First, my daughter dies and the day after the death of my first son, my second son is trying to denounce me."

"What did you say?" Zaria was shocked.

Alyssa burst into a rage and lurched at Zaria. "It was you! You and your mother, you murdered my son!"

"Mother!" Desmond grabbed her and pulled her away from Zaria.