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12.82% Transmigrated Into The True Heiress / Chapter 19: Ragtag

Chapter 19: Ragtag

Elliot frowned, setting his fork down with a soft clink. "This late? Didn't she know I was coming back today?"

Myra, sitting across the table, was quick to jump in. "Well, Mom told her the last time she came home, and we've been trying to reach her, but she won't pick up. I even reminded her at school today, and she said she knew you were coming."

Elliot's frown deepened, his brows knitting together in a way that made the atmosphere in the room turn heavy. His voice lowered, but the sharp edge was unmistakable. "The last time she came home? What do you mean by that, Myra?"

Myra froze, the casual confidence she had shown just moments ago dissipating in an instant. She swallowed, her voice faltering as she spoke. "Uh, I… S-she…"

She trailed off, avoiding her father's gaze, her fingers fidgeting with the napkin in her lap.

Elliot's eyes bore into her, his patience wearing thin. "Do you want me to repeat my question, Myra?" His voice was calm, but the warning was clear.

Myra glanced quickly toward Marianna, who was silent, her face a perfect mask of composure, though her eyes flashed with a warning of their own—Myra needed to handle this carefully. 

The lie had to be perfect. 

"I-I just meant," Myra stammered, "that she hasn't been around much lately, both at home and at school. She's been spending more time with her new friends, who are mostly guys, and, well, she's been staying out later than usual. Sometimes, she doesn't come home. She's also been failing in school…" Myra finished weakly, her voice trailing off as her father's expression darkened.

Elliot sat back in his chair, his jaw tightening. He looked from Myra to Marianna, as if trying to gauge whether they were telling him the truth.

"When did this start?"

Marianna took a sip of her wine, her voice calm as she answered. "A few weeks ago, right after you left for your business trip. We didn't think much of it at first, considering her age. We thought it was just a rebellious phase, but then it became more frequent."

Elliot's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. His gaze shifted back to Myra, who sat nervously, fidgeting under his scrutiny.

"So," he said, his voice dangerously quiet, "you're telling me that Ephyra has been staying out late, skipping school, and associating with unsavory people, yet neither of you thought to inform me? You let her continue this rotten behavior?"

Marianna leaned forward, her tone soothing as she attempted to ease the tension. "Darling, we didn't want to bother you while you were away. We believed we could handle it. We've tried speaking to her, but you know how stubborn she can be."

Elliot's jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around the stem of his wine glass. "Handle it? Clearly, you haven't handled anything."

Myra swallowed hard, her heart racing. She wasn't used to seeing her father so angry—not directed at her, at least. The mother and daughter exchanged a glance, their calm facade barely hiding the panic simmering beneath the surface.

Marianna reached out to touch Elliot's arm gently. "Let's not ruin your first night home with this, darling. We'll talk to her when she comes back. We can discipline her together."

Elliot glanced at his wife, his expression softening only slightly. "Fine," he muttered. "But when she gets home, we're going to have a serious conversation. I won't have this kind of behavior tolerated in my house."

Marianna nodded, relief washing over her. "Of course, dear."

The dinner continued in silence, the lighthearted atmosphere from earlier completely gone. Myra stared down at her plate, her appetite lost as dread gnawed at her insides. She could only hope that Ephyra wouldn't return tonight—or worse, that the call her mother was waiting for would never come.

As Elliot stood from the table, excusing himself for the night, Marianna exchanged a quick, worried glance with Myra. They both knew that if Ephyra walked through those doors, there would be no more lies to cover up the truth.

|An Hour And Half Earlier|

As soon as Jania was done with Lyle's orders, she went to the underground dungeon where her colleagues had taken the men from the earlier fight. She stepped out of the large elevator, which went back up as soon as she walked out of it.

The grand estate was a stark contrast to the cold, dimly lit dungeon beneath it. Jania, already accustomed to the cold, made her way down, her heels clicking on the stone steps. The air was damp, and the faint echo of her steps only heightened the eeriness.

When she reached the bottom, two guards stood at attention, flanking a large iron door. They stepped aside as she approached, allowing her entry.

Inside, the room was dimly lit, casting long shadows against the cold stone walls. The men who had been captured during the earlier fight were chained to the far wall, their expressions a mix of fear and defiance. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the air carried a faint metallic scent of blood.

Jania surveyed the room, her eyes narrowing as she assessed each of the prisoners. They were a ragtag group, none of them particularly remarkable at first glance. It was a pity they took the wrong job.

She approached one of the men, a large, muscular brute who had been the most resistant during the fight. His lip was split, and a bruise darkened one of his eyes, but he still glared at her with defiance.

"Start talking," Jania said calmly, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Who hired you?"

The man spat blood onto the floor and sneered. "Go to hell."

Jania's expression didn't change. She had expected resistance. "Do you know me?"

"Fuck whoever—" Before he could finish speaking, he choked and gasped, fervently trying to get the cuffs off his hands and pry off the slender fingers tightening around his throat with each second.

"Uh-uh," Jania shook her head, her grip tightening. "I'm the one asking questions." Her voice remained calm, almost conversational, as if she weren't choking the life out of him.

The man's eyes widened in panic as he tugged at his chain, his bravado quickly evaporating under the weight of his impending suffocation. Jania leaned in closer, her lips near his ear, her tone cold and menacing.

"You should know, I don't have the patience for stubborn fools. So, you either start talking, or I'll make sure the last thing you see is my hand crushing your windpipe."

She released him abruptly, letting him collapse back against the wall, gasping for breath, his chest heaving. The other prisoners watched in silent horror, realizing now that this woman was far more dangerous than they had anticipated.

"I—I don't know his name," he finally choked out. "We were paid through a middleman. We were just supposed to... to kill the girl."

Jania's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"I don't know," the man gasped, "All we were told... was that she needed to die... before she... reached the estate."

Jania stood up straight, adjusting the cuff of her sleeve, her eyes scanning the room. She knew better than to believe him fully, but his fear was genuine enough. Still, she wasn't going to let him off that easily.

"I'll ask one more time," she said, her voice soft but filled with a chilling promise. "Who hired you? Give me a name."

The man hesitated, eyes flicking to his fellow captives as if seeking some kind of solidarity. But none of them spoke, their faces pale with fear.

With a sigh, she reached into her coat and pulled out a slim, silver syringe, holding it up for the man to see. His eyes widened, and a flicker of fear crossed his face.

"This will make you talk," she said softly, stepping closer. "And trust me, you won't like it."

The man's bravado faltered, and he tugged at his chains, trying to pull away from her. "Wait, wait—"

But Jania wasn't interested in his pleas. She injected the serum into his neck with practiced precision, and within seconds, the man's body went rigid. His breathing quickened, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.

The man's jaw clenched as he fought against the effects of the serum, but his body betrayed him. His muscles twitched, and he let out a strained gasp.

Finally, he whispered, "Marcellus." His face contorted in pain as the serum continued to work its way through his system. "That's the name I heard from my boss when he was speaking to someone on the phone."

Jania nodded slowly, her suspicions confirmed. "Good." She turned on her heel and made her way to the door, her heels echoing once more in the cold chamber.

"Make sure they don't leave here alive," she instructed the guards without so much as a backward glance.

At the entrance, a man in a suit with striking Asian features and sleek, slicked-back dark hair was waiting for her, and when she reached him, he bowed slightly and fixed his glasses.

"What are your orders?"

"Find everything you can on the girl."

"More than a background check?"

"Yes," Jania replied, her tone sharp. "The Master would want to know everything, especially why someone like Marcellus would want her dead. Nothing is off-limits."

The man adjusted his glasses, scribbling notes into a sleek tablet. "Understood. And what about Marcellus?"

Jania paused, her expression darkening at the mention of the name. "Call Alessandro, tell him to gather his men and bring Marcellus here."

The man paused, displeasure flickering in his eyes at the mention of the name. "Alessandro?"

Jania glanced at him and smiled. She was one of the few who knew the history between Han and Alessandro.

She sighed and nodded. "Yes, Alessandro. Call him and tell him it's a direct order from the boss."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, if you don't want to face the Master's wrath tomorrow."

Han gave a slow nod, his face betraying no further emotion. "Understood," he said, though there was a noticeable tightness in his tone.

Jania smirked, clearly enjoying the small discomfort she had caused. "Good. Now, I'm going to get some sleep before I pick up Doctor Liam from the airport. Make sure Marcellus is here by dawn."


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Ella_Estrella23 Ella_Estrella23

Please support the book! And I'm sorry for not updating!

next chapter

Chapter 20: Partner

[Warning: Mention of Relationship Between Two Males]

Without waiting for a response, she strode past him, prompting a sigh from him.

He walked into the second elevator and took out his phone as the elevator descended. His fingers moved on the screen as he dialed a number and brought the phone to his ear, counting the seconds until he heard that deep, aggravating voice.

However, no one picked up the call, even after he called four more times.

"So irresponsible. Where did he drop his damn phone this time?" Han muttered under his breath, glaring at the phone in frustration. He stared at the unresponsive screen for a few moments longer, then sighed, knowing he'd have to go and inform the jerk in person.

Han's distaste for the man was no secret, which worsened after what happened between them a year ago. But orders were orders. He only hoped Alessandro wouldn't cause more trouble than the task required.

Han straightened his suit jacket as the elevator came to a stop, and he stepped out and walked to the awaiting sleek car.

He got into the back seat. "To El Barrio," Han instructed the driver without hesitation.

The car smoothly pulled away from the underground parking area and sped through the dark, winding roads leading away from the main estate. Han stared out of the window, his fingers tapping impatiently on his knee as the lights of the city flickered in the distance. The drive was quiet, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the space.

Though Alessandro wasn't the leader, his cousin was. But he might as well be the leader because his cousin had transferred almost all the power to him in the guise of assisting. Ever since the gang's control had been taken over by Master Lyle, Alfred didn't have the desire to run it anymore. He had asked Master Aelion to take it, but he didn't care about it, so he'd asked Alfred to choose someone to take over from him. Since Alfred didn't want to give the position to an outsider, he chose his cousin, who was a mercenary.

A year ago, they'd gone on a mission together, but something went wrong, and Han was injected with a deadly aphrodisiac that even drugs couldn't suppress. So Alessandro did what he thought was right.

Just remembering the scene he saw the morning he woke up two days later in a bed with that bastard made his temple throb, but he forced himself to calm down.

Moments later, the car stopped, and Han stepped out.

He stood in front of a modern, unassuming building that blended seamlessly with the upscale neighborhood of El Barrio. The facade was striking yet understated, made of smooth concrete and glass that reflected the city lights, giving it an air of sophistication. As he approached the entrance, the doorman nodded respectfully, recognizing Han from previous visits.

Inside, the lobby was elegantly decorated, featuring minimalist art pieces and a soft ambient glow. Plush seating areas lined the walls, creating a comfortable yet discreet atmosphere. Han strode to the sleek elevator at the back, tapping the button for the penthouse level.

As the elevator doors slid open, he stepped into a private lounge area, rich with dark woods and contemporary furnishings. Large windows overlooked the city skyline, offering a breathtaking view of the shimmering lights below. A bar lined one wall, stocked with an impressive array of spirits, and the scent of high-end cigars lingered in the air.

He walked through the living room and toward the door before knocking.

The door swung open to reveal Alessandro himself, leaning against the doorframe with a lazy smirk. His dark hair was tousled, and his shirt hung open slightly at the collar. The man exuded a natural, almost irritating confidence that Han had always found grating.

"Han," Alessandro drawled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?"

"Your phone," Han said curtly, not bothering with pleasantries. "Answer it next time."

Alessandro raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "And miss the chance for a personal visit from you? That would be tragic."

Han's jaw clenched, but he forced himself to remain professional. "There is a job for you. Jania's orders. You're to gather your men and bring Marcellus in by dawn."

At the mention of Marcellus, Alessandro's playful expression changed into a curious one. His eyes narrowed, though his smile remained. "Marcellus, huh? And why, pray tell, does Jania want the dipshit?"

"That's not your concern," Han replied, his tone icy. "Just do as you're told. The boss wants results, and Jania doesn't want any more delays."

Alessandro pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer to Han, his presence suddenly more imposing. "I'll do it," he said quietly, "but it's not my fault if something happens while we're bringing him in. Don't you think it would be better if there was someone to supervise us? What do you say, Han?"

Han didn't flinch, though the tension between the two was palpable. "I'm sure you're not a kid who needs supervision to get the job done," he said, turning on his heel to leave.

Before he could walk away, Alessandro grabbed his hand and pulled him back, their faces inches away from each other.

"Come on, or are you scared?"

Han felt the warmth of Alessandro's breath against his skin, and for a moment, he was caught off guard by the proximity. He quickly regained his composure, pulling his hand free from Alessandro's grasp. "Don't get ahead of yourself," he snapped, forcing a veneer of bravado over the unease brewing within him. "I'm not scared of you."

Alessandro's smirk deepened, a playful glint in his eyes. "Then?"

"Let's go and get this over with."

---

The tension between Han and Alessandro simmered as they left the penthouse, Alessandro gathering his men for the raid on Marcellus—Rico, as they now knew him. The ride to East Village was a mixture of uneasy silence and occasional banter from Alessandro, who couldn't resist throwing quips at Han.

"Still tense, Han? You know, I thought we'd be past this by now," Alessandro said, leaning back in his seat as their convoy sped through the dark streets.

Han shot him a cold glance, jaw clenched. "This isn't the time for your nonsense, Alessandro."

"Always so serious," Alessandro teased. "Loosen up a little. You're going to get wrinkles."

Han ignored him, staring out the window at the passing city lights. Alessandro's casual arrogance grated on him, but he wouldn't let it get in the way of their mission.

Their convoy finally pulled up a block from Marcellus's lair, a dilapidated building hidden among the other run-down warehouses in East Village. Han was the first to step out, followed closely by Alessandro, whose smirk remained firmly in place.

"Remember," Han said, his tone firm as he adjusted his suit, "this isn't a free-for-all. We need him alive."

Alessandro rolled his eyes but nodded. "Yeah, yeah. Just like old times, right? Except this time, try not to fall into any traps."

Han shot him a sharp look. "Just focus."

They approached the warehouse in silence, Alessandro's men flanking them as they moved in. Two of the guards at the entrance were swiftly taken out by Alessandro's silenced pistol before they even had the chance to react. Han signaled for the rest of the team to move into position as they advanced deeper into the lair.

Inside, the air was thick with the stench of cigarettes and stale beer. Rico's men lounged around, clearly not expecting any visitors. Alessandro grinned at the sight.

"This is going to be too easy," he whispered, motioning for his men to take their positions around the perimeter.

Han nodded. As they moved further into the warehouse, the sounds of casual conversation and clinking bottles grew louder. They were close.

Suddenly, one of Rico's men noticed the movement. "Intruders!"

Gunfire erupted, the sharp sound ricocheting off the walls. Alessandro was already on the move, diving behind a stack of crates and firing off shots with deadly precision. Han followed suit, darting behind cover and using the chaos to neutralize two more guards.

"Getting sloppy," Alessandro called out over the noise, flashing Han a grin as he reloaded his weapon. "You used to be faster."

"Shut up and focus," Han snapped back, his eyes scanning the room for Rico.

Alessandro laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "You wound me, Han. I thought we were a team."

Han ignored the comment, pushing forward through the chaos. The guards were no match for Alessandro's men, who moved with efficiency, cutting down Rico's defenses one by one.

As the last of the resistance fell, Han spotted Rico slipping through a back door. He gave Alessandro a quick nod, and they both sprinted after him.

The chase led them to a small, dingy office at the back of the warehouse. Rico was cornered, breathing heavily, his eyes wide with fear as Alessandro and Han approached.

"Going somewhere?" Alessandro asked, his voice dripping with mockery.

Rico glared at them, but the fear was evident in his eyes. He raised his hands in surrender. "Look, I don't know who you are or what you want, but you've got the wrong guy—"

Alessandro cut him off with a swift punch to the gut, doubling Rico over. "We know exactly who you are, Marcellus," he said, the mockery gone from his voice now. "The real question is, who hired you to kill a girl named—" he turned to Han— "what's her name?"

"Ephyra Allen."

Rico gasped for breath, clutching his stomach. "I—I don't know the name of the person," he wheezed. "It was a middleman. We were just hired to kill the girl."

Han's expression remained cold as he stepped forward. "Why?"

Rico glanced between them, his face pale. "I don't know why! We were just supposed to make sure she didn't make it home from school. That's all they told us!"

Alessandro glanced at Han, his eyes narrowing. "Well, you took the wrong job."

Han nodded, his voice calm but with an edge of menace. "Someone has a couple of questions to ask you."

"I already told you everything I know!" Rico protested, his voice rising in desperation. "I swear, I don't know anything else!"

Alessandro sighed dramatically. "Why do they always say that?"

Han pulled out his phone, typing a quick message to Jania to let her know they had Rico. "Let's get him back to the estate. Jania will take it from here."

Alessandro smiled wickedly as he hoisted Rico to his feet. "See, Rico? You're going to get a lovely little visit with Jania. She's much less patient than I am."

As they dragged Rico toward the exit, Han and Alessandro exchanged a look.

"Think Jania will be pleased?" Alessandro asked, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

"Not with you," Han deadpanned, shoving Rico into the back of the SUV. "Let's just get this done."

"Whatever you say, partner," Alessandro said with a smirk, climbing in after him.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Ella_Estrella23 Ella_Estrella23

Today is my birthday! And this is the second chapter!

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