Free Web NovelChapter 14: Dangerous alliance II
Julian walked over to a sleek, integrated communication panel on the wall. He pressed a single button, his expression shifting into a cold, professional mask.
"Lily," he said, his voice dropping into an authoritative tone. "Send lunch for two up to the penthouse at The Royale. Something high-protein, light on the seasoning. And I want those antioxidant shots Dr. Aris mentioned. Have them here in fifteen minutes."
He paused, glancing over his shoulder at Lyvana, who was watching him with wary eyes.
"Also," he continued, "move all my afternoon meetings. Clear my schedule until three. I have a personal matter that requires my full attention."
He cut the connection before his assistant could utter a word of protest.
A few minutes later, a discreet knock sounded at the double doors. A young man in a crisp uniform entered, pushing a gold service trolley.
On it sat two tiers of white containers embossed with a minimalist silver logo: L’Oiseau Bleu.
The scent hit Lyvana before the waiter even set the table — the mouth-watering aroma of herb-crusted proteins and fresh, vibrant citrus.
As the waiter exited with a silent bow, Lyvana stared at the containers. They weren’t standard takeout boxes; they were elegant, and felt more like jewelry cases than food packaging.
"How is this even possible?" she asked getting up to touch the boxes. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "You hung up with whoever you called barely twenty minutes ago. We’re at the top of a skyscraper. Where did this come from?"
Julian casually flipped open the lid of the first container, revealing a perfectly sliced wagyu steak resting on a bed of greens.
"I don’t like waiting, Lyvana. Especially not for the things I pay for."
"But L’Oiseau Bleu is on the other side of the city," she persisted, her brow furrowed as she looked at the elegant script on the box. "People usually wait for a reservation there. Did you have a courier on a helicopter?"
Julian handed her a small chilled glass containing a deep purple liquid — the antioxidant shot.
"L’Oiseau Bleu isn’t just on the other side of the city. Their primary kitchen for private clients is on the twentieth floor of this building. Now drink the shot. Then eat. I wasn’t joking about your recovery. You’re currently too pale to be my girlfriend."
Lyvana took the shot. it was tart and icy. The food however was incredible, but her mind was elsewhere. She watched Julian as he ate with the same dangerous grace he did everything else.
Who exactly is he? she wondered.
"Do you have any idea what those men wanted with you?" Julian asked.
Ava nearly choked on the steak. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
A wave of nausea hit her as the memories from her past life surfaced but she cleared it off.
"No," she murmured.
He wiped his mouth with a linen napkin and stood up.
"Alright," he said. "Finish your lunch. I’ve had Lily send up a selection of clothes. Once you’ve rested, you can get dressed and the driver will take you wherever you want. I believe your fiancé is currently holding a press conference to ’mourn’ your disappearance. It would be a shame to keep him waiting."
Lyvana let out a soft, dry laugh.
"Mark is probably occupied right now," she said. "I doubt he’s given me a second thought."
She paused, her expression softening just a little.
"Emily, on the other hand... she’ll be worried sick. She knows my habits. If I disappear without a word, she’ll assume the worst."
He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a sleek, customized smartphone. He didn’t ask questions; he simply unlocked it and held it out to her.
"Call her," he said. "It’s a secure line."
She took it and dialed her number. Emily picked up on the first ring.
"Emy."
"Lyvana? Where the hell have you been? Your phone’s off and—"
"I’m fine," Lyvana said quickly, keeping her voice light. "I’m so sorry. I lost my phone earlier. I’m running an errand for Aurora."
There was a sharp inhale on the other end. "An errand? You scared me half to death." freēwebnovel.com
"I know. I’m okay, I promise," Lyvana said gently. "I’ll be home by evening."
Emily sighed. "Alright. Just, don’t do that again."
"I won’t," Lyvana said.
She ended the call and handed the phone back.
Julian slipped it into his pocket. "Crisis averted?"
She laughed at that. "Thank you for coming to my rescue, twice."
....
Julian stepped into the private elevator, the doors sliding shut. He pressed the button for his father’s penthouse.
His phone vibrated in his palm.
"Report."
"They don’t actually know the people who ordered the hit on Miss Montclair," the detective’s voice crackled through the line. "The two we picked up were low-level. They were only given her picture, a location, and a dead-drop payment for the job."
Julian’s jaw tightened. The image of an unconscious Lyvana still burned behind his eyes.
"What efforts are you making to find the leader who escaped?" Julian asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous, controlled calm.
"We’re scrubbing the street cams now, Mr. Grant and we have investigators on the ground."
"Find him," Julian said flatly. "And I want the names behind that payment."
"Yes, sir."
The elevator chimed, the display flashing P.
"And detective," Julian added, his eyes fixed on the doors as they began to open, "this just became your highest priority."
He ended the call and stepped onto the soft carpet of the executive floor. A vast marble lobby stretched ahead, ending at a pair of tall mahogany doors.
They opened smoothly, and he entered the penthouse. The air was cool and silent.
Behind a large obsidian desk, Julian Harrison Grant II sat, his eyes fixed on a glowing monitor. He didn’t look up, but the sharp clink of his ring against a crystal glass signaled he had noticed his son’s arrival.
"The banquet last night," Chairman Grant began, "I assume you met with the investors and they were suitably impressed?"
"The optics were perfect," Julian replied, leaning against the back of a leather armchair. "The merger talk has already stabilized the stock."
"Good. Now about the leak. The internal check found something this morning. The leak is coming from the logistics division. It’s being done carefully and professionally."
Julian didn’t blink. "I’m aware. I’ve already moved the servers to a private cloud."
The chairman nodded.
"But that’s not the only business we need to settle today. I’ve been speaking with Lord Windsor."
Julian stilled. A cold knot formed in his stomach.
