Chapter 5

Elena’s POV

I knew Gabrielle was reading a text, but I was on edge myself.

I couldn’t risk blowing my cover so soon.

What was Adrian coming here for?

He was in New York and I was in California so why did the thought bother me so much?

My company was discreet. No appointments. No entry. Yet even so, my chest tightened at the mere idea of seeing him.

Gabrielle was still muttering to herself.

“Good… I’ve left town. Just leave me alone and stop stalking me,” she hissed, before switching off her phone.

I needed no one to tell me they were both having issues.

And for some strange reason I didn’t understand, it excited me… more than it should have.

Gabrielle shot up from her seat.

“I’ll take my money elsewhere,” she snapped. “I’m very sure there are people better than you. Rubbish!”

She yelled angrily, her hand gripping the back of the chair.

“Then you’ll continue living in hiding,” I said coolly, “looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life. Unable to attend events, unable to move freely, unable to breathe without fear while I continue doing what I do best… repairing ruined lives.”

Slowly, Gabrielle’s shoulders sagged.

The fight drained from her posture as reality settled in.

She exhaled sharply and dropped back into the chair.

“I don’t like you,” she muttered. “You have a terrible attitude.”

I picked up her file, unbothered.

“Good,” I said flatly. “You didn’t come here to like me.”

She scoffed. “Just because you’re good at what you do doesn’t mean…”

“That’s exactly why you’re here,” I cut in, skimming the pages. “And according to this… you’re a drug dealer and a money launderer.”

Her eyes widened instantly.

“Shh!” she hissed, leaning forward. “Lower your voice!”

I looked up slowly, unimpressed.

“This is my office,” I said coldly. “No one is listening.”

“You don’t know that,” she whispered. “The world has ears. You already know why I’m here, so just do your job and get me out of this mess.”

I closed the file with a soft thud.

“It’s not as automatic as you think,” I said evenly. “This takes time. And first, you’ll release a public statement. My team will guide you through every step.”

Her brows furrowed. “A statement? That’s suicide.”

“No,” I corrected. “Hiding is. Fear gives your enemies the upper hand. You face them calmly and strategically… then you offer a deal they can’t refuse.”

She stared at me for a long moment, then let out a slow breath.

“Damn,” she murmured. “I don’t like you… but you’re smart.” Her eyes narrowed. “The kind of woman I need in my circle.”

I didn’t respond.

I closed the file and leaned back in my chair.

“My professional f*e is not cheap,” I said calmly. “This case will cost you ten million dollars.”

Her head snapped up. “Ten…”

“Non‑negotiable,” I cut in smoothly. “You’ll make an initial deposit today. Fifty percent upfront. The remaining fifty percent will be paid the moment the job is completed.”

Gabrielle stared at me, her jaw tightening. For a second, I thought she might explode again but then she burst into laughter.

“I wasn’t going to complain about the price,” she said. “Money isn’t my problem.”

I was about to respond when her phone rang again.

This time, she didn’t hesitate. She snatched it up, fury blazing across her face.

“What do you want now?” she snapped. “Adrian, can you just let me be?”

She stood, pacing a step away from my desk as she listened, her voice rising with every word.

“I signed up for a marriage, not a death contract!” she hissed. “You know exactly what I want.”

My fingers stilled on the folder. Her next words froze me in my chair.

“Send that little brat to the orphanage,” she spat, venom dripping from every syllable, “or we get a divorce. If you haven’t done what I want, we have nothing to talk about.”

She ended the call and tossed her phone onto the desk like it meant nothing.

I froze as my hands began to shake.

So this wicked witch sitting across from me was trying to dump my own child in an orphanage.

Gabrielle waved a dismissive hand, smirking.

“Sorry for the interruption. That stupid husband of mine is disturbing me again. He wouldn’t do what I want… and now he wants me to come back.”

She laughed, leaning back in her chair, her eyes glinting with wicked amusement.

“Not when I’ve tasted better cocks here, you know.”

I cringed, clearing my throat quickly.

“No… no, it’s fine. I understand,” I said, forcing calm into my voice.

I hesitated, then added, “Sorry, if you don’t mind me asking… with everything going on now, don’t you think a divorce would bring too much attention…attention you’re trying to avoid?”

Gabrielle hissed, frustration flashing across her face.

“I’m tired. I’ve had it up to here. I told Adrian I never insisted on marriage, but he forced me because he still had that stupid illusion of love from when we were younger.”

My voice stammered slightly, disbelief creeping in. “Oh… is that so?”

“Yes,” she snapped. “Can you imagine? I married him for his family wealth! And he knew my stance on marriage. He didn’t stop there, he also forced me to be a mother to that stupid brat of a daughter. I hate that little girl so much.”

My chest tightened, my heart hammering as I imagined how much my little girl must have suffered in Gabrielle’s hands.

Gabrielle leaned forward, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper.

“I know how much Adrian loves his child, so I knew he wouldn’t choose the orphanage option. That way, I get the divorce, the alimony, and the opportunity to be with my new man.”

Wow. This bitch really had everything planned out.

“But… hold on a minute,” she said softly. “Do you handle… private jobs?”

I lifted my gaze slowly. “What do you mean by private?”

She hesitated, then whispered, “You know… taking someone out.”

My expression didn’t change. “Can you elaborate?”

Her lips pressed together, her eyes darting briefly to the door before locking back onto mine.

“How much would it cost,” she asked quietly, “to help me kill my husband?”