Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Kael

I savored a good wine while reflecting on the satisfaction of closing a successful deal and the even more gratifying feeling of seeking revenge in the process. It seemed perfect, but the truth was that the taste of victory wasn't as expected; it was bitter.

Rachel had acted exactly as I had planned, offering herself as payment and declaring that she would do anything I desired. The moment I had envisioned, along with the realization of the deal, was overshadowed by Sarah's presence. The fact that it had been her on the yacht, her beauty, and the way she behaved had caught me to the point of forgetting the main objective of the business and everything that was at stake.

Despite her sexual inexperience, Sarah's sensuality awakened something in me that had seemed dormant for a long time, something I didn't even know existed. However, I didn't let my emotions completely take over and used my moment of weakness as an opportunity to accomplish what I truly desired ever since I found out that my mother and Patrick Mitchell's separation had been solely caused by Rachel.

Despite the difficult situations Rachel had already gone through, all caused by me, it wasn't enough. I wanted to see her kneeling, not before me, but before the person she had harmed the most in this whole story: my mother.

The day was approaching rapidly, and I knew Rachel would beg for mercy when I wanted her to. The fact that she readily accepted the bargain I offered, trading her sister for money, didn't surprise me.

After all, Rachel had already shown her dark side and complete egocentrism. It was evident that she only cared about her interests, completely disregarding the well-being of others, including her twin sister. Given that, I expected nothing but negative actions from her.

I recalled her justifications upon accepting my offer.

"I love my sister. But I need to take care of myself, as no one else will do it for me," she said arrogantly. "And you'd make a better deal by choosing me, I guarantee it."

"I'm dismissing your offer," I said dismissively, looking at her body and letting my expression show all the disgust she caused me. "You may know how to pleasure a man, but I'd be crazy to trust someone of your kind to share a bed with me."

She didn't seem fazed by my statements and simply walked to the door of my office, stopping with her hand on the doorknob, and staring at me with her mix of arrogance and cynicism.

"Arrange the visit to your mother, and I'll arrange for Sarah to be with you whenever you desire," she stated.

"As soon as you've fulfilled your part of the deal, the money will be in your bank account," I replied.

She nodded with a slight head gesture and left my office, leaving behind the trail of her strong perfume, which left me with an unpleasant feeling that persisted even hours later, leaving me unsatisfied.

"I heard that Rachel was at the office today," Ryan commented, entering the living room of my private wing on the top floor of the building where Anglo-X offices were located.

"I see you're well-informed," I responded sarcastically. "But considering I pay you for that, I can only assume the money is well spent."

"I imagined that now, on the brink of having your revenge fulfilled, you'd be in a better mood," Ryan said.

Ryan was not intimidated when talking to me, and I appreciated that he was the only one who acted this way in my presence. Having him as my assistant and the person closest to me, after my mother, was something that satisfied me fully.

"When Rachel is kneeling in front of my mother, I'll be able to say that my thirst for revenge has finally been quenched," I explained.

"And then?" he asked.

"After that, I'll occupy myself with fucking Sarah until I'm satisfied."

I assumed Ryan was already aware of my conditions for giving the money to the sisters, which was why he asked the question.

"You know my opinion about involving Sarah in this story," he persisted.

"I don't care about your opinion on this matter," I replied harshly.

"I'll express it anyway," Ryan insisted. "Have a good night's sleep, boss."

Ryan used a sarcastic tone when he said the word "boss," but it didn't bother me, and I wished him a "good night" as he turned to leave the room, to which he responded with notable reluctance. I didn't care. What I want, I achieve.

The afternoon after Rachel visited my office, I found myself in her unpleasant presence again, as she needed to fulfill the first part of our agreement, and there was no reason to postpone the meeting between her and my mother.

"You must think you're very clever, Rachel," I commented, looking at her by my side. "But don't think for a second that I believe you don't have a Machiavellian plan in mind."

We were on our way to my house, located in a residential area of Seattle, where my mother spent all her days and nights, secluded and not going anywhere else except the garden I had specially built for her, which had become her favorite place in the huge mansion.

"How can I be planning something when everything is already lost?" She tried to deceive me. "You have a terrible impression of me, Kael."

"You must be plotting some way to get revenge for what I'm putting you through," I pointed out directly. "I know the kind of person you are. You don't believe it's over."

She let out a laugh full of scorn, which disgusted me a bit, but I maintained my façade of indifference. I didn't want her to realize that just being in the same car as she made me sick, as that would give her a sense of power over me.

"Let's say I have the right to dream of better days, don't you agree?" She suggested ironically.

"People like you don't have dreams, Rachel," I stated in a monotone. "Only petty and selfish plans."

With a cynical smile on her face, she glanced at me. I decided not to say anything more, as there was no reason to continue the conversation. This visit was not a courtesy.

"Mr. Graham, we have arrived at your house," my driver announced, circling the car to open the door for Rachel.