Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

"B-Because... no one... got..." he stammered, still trying to crawl toward me.

No one else had been here except me, so he had every reason to believe the camera would remain undiscovered.

They showed conversations with various people-wealthy and influential figures-discussing illegal transactions. It seemed he kept these as leverage to blackmail them if they didn't comply with his demands. Tricky, but I had to admit, I liked it.

"Is this how you handled the situation five years ago?" I asked coldly, staring at him. My symptoms were worsening, but my anger overpowered the pain.

My vision darkened when I saw two specific videos. There was no audio, but I could clearly identify the people in them. One featured Silver, the other Simon. Was this why my father wanted him executed?

When he didn't answer, I removed the memory card from the camera and tucked it into the tip of my shoe.

"Johanson Windwood, a senator for almost a decade, soon to run for president... What do you think will happen when everyone finds out about your dirty secrets?"

I trusted Evangeline to extract more evidence against this scumbag, but what I held now was substantial enough to ruin his reputation and his illegal ventures. "W-Who are you?" he croaked.

"Oh, I'm Sapphire," I answered with a smirk. "Simon Parker's illegitimate daughter."

I noticed him attempting to press the red button under the table, but I swiftly pulled him away.

"This is for your own good, senator. You're going to get killed."

I wasn't lying. The contents of his camera would undoubtedly lead to his assassination if anyone else discovered them.

But I needed answers before the poison took me.

I drank the poison, but I had no intention of dying.

Just as to my bad luck, the antidote isn't in my bag. Where the fuck was it?

"To be honest, I came here to kill you, senator. But I'm curious about a few things," I said. My lips were parched, but I forced myself to stay strong. "If you answer my questions, maybe I'll spare your life." Yes, I'd bluff, even though I didn't have the antidote with me.

"See this? It's an antidote. Amazing, right?" I added, showing him a black box.

It was the same poison I'd put in the wine-the only thing I could show him.

"Beg, and I'll gladly save your life." My voice was soft, yet it echoed through the room, carrying an intensity that couldn't be ignored.

"Even... if you kill me now... I won't tell you anything," he replied. His lips were turning pale, and his breathing became more labored. "Does your father know about this? Out of everyone in the world, I'm the last person you should cross." I didn't answer him.

I took a deep breath, clenching my fists and biting my lower lip as my vision blurred and the room spun. I was running out of time.

Where's the signal, Evangeline? How would I know if everything was set and I could leave? I badly needed the antidote. Of all things to forget, why did it have to be the antidote?

"I'm not interested in you." I grabbed my bag and pulled out a crumpled photo. "But I am interested in him."

I threw the picture at him. It showed Ash, his face still recognizable despite the creases.

"I heard you've been working for Coleman Company. Tell me everything about that guy-where he's been and what he's been up to for the past five years." Don't die yet. I need answers first.

But instead of answering me, he vomited blood right in front of me. Some even splattered on me, but I paid no attention to it.

When I looked at his neck, the veins were bulging, and his skin was covered with rashes.

"He... he's not..." he muttered.

"He's not? He's not what?" I asked him in panic, but he could no longer speak.

His face turned red, and he started coughing more violently. I froze for a moment, unable to figure out my next move.

When I looked at my own skin, I didn't have the same symptoms. My heart ached, as if it were being crushed, but that was all.

This is only possible if... he drank another poison before I arrived. Then it must have mixed with the poison I gave him.

Maybe this is the effect of combining the two toxins in his system.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

"Damn it!" I turned on my mouthpiece and earpiece.

"S, finally!" Finnick and Kesha said in unison.

It seemed they'd been waiting for me for a while.

"He won't die because of the poison I gave him," my voice laced with panic. "Someone else wanted to kill him besides us. I don't even know why."

I suddenly remembered the videos from his hidden camera. Someone trusted by their clients wouldn't act like that. This only meant one thing-he employed such tactics because he didn't trust the people he was dealing with. It's his way of protecting himself.

"He's not just a lawyer between the two companies. He knows something, and they want to dispose of him. I need to find out what it is."

I need to save him... to uncover the information locked in his mind. It's not something we'll find here, and I'm certain Evangeline won't discover it in his hideout either.

It's because the answer I'm looking for is located between his ears-His brain.

"I'll save him. I don't have the antidote right now, but I'll save him," I declare, feeling determined.

I stood up, placing a hand under my chin. I needed to think of another solution. If my hunch was correct, that meant I was in danger too.

And if I dragged my team into this with a sudden, unplanned move, I might be putting them at risk as well.

"S, our mission was to kill him," Luna's sarcastic yet concerned voice came through the line.

"Turn a blind eye, everyone. If this goes south, just say that I acted on my own. Go back now," I commanded firmly. "I'm telling you this as your leader, and this is a command you must follow." "But-" Kesha began to protest, but Finnick cut her off.

"We understand," Finnick said over the line. "I trust you, L. Come back alive. I know you've got another plan."

Sadly, I didn't.

I wanted to tell them that, but I chose not to. I didn't want them to worry about me any more than they already did.

I turned off my earpiece and mouthpiece as I glanced at Senator Windwood. He was gasping for air, just as I was.

A moment later, I collapsed to the ground, struggling to breathe. My vision blurred, but I could still remember my mother waiting for me.

I promised her I'd save her. I'll do anything to free her from the devil.

No, I can't die.

As thoughts of my mom filled my mind, someone broke through the window. Even though my vision was blurry, I recognized who the person was because of the perfume. Ash.