Chapter 52: Chapter 52

"So, what's the deal?" Kenzo crossed his legs. His gaze lingered on Jess longer than usual, the girl who always left notes for him to communicate. Annoying Jess, she looked like she wasn't happy with what he had just offered her. A job.

Kenzo had his own satisfaction when he told them about the kind of work for the both of them. Was it the same? Definitely not. Kenzo took advantage of this opportunity well and cleverly, even making Jess cast an unfriendly look at him.

Yeah, right. Who does he think he is? Just a close relative of a servant here, right? Why does he seem to look at her with a disapproving gaze? So different from Mr. Calm who had already caught his attention. Not because of his looks, really... that was way different from Jess. But his behavior and polite body language, along with how he kept his head down, made Kenzo feel sorry for him.

A note was received again by Kenzo as a response from Mr. Calm.

[We'll think about it thoroughly, Sir.]

Kenzo sighed softly, reluctantly looking at the two girls in front of him. "Don't take too long. I just feel sorry for you, that's why I want to help."

Fathia nodded slowly.

"Thank you, Sir." The gratitude was mostly represented by Jess. Even though a great storm was raging inside her. Her hand clenched tightly, and the sharp gaze in her eyes challenged the man in front of her. If she ever got the chance to curse him in the future, she would use her lips to unleash the most curses she could on this arrogant Kenzo.

Without much ado, Kenzo got up. He walked away from them with arrogance. Leaving behind a long sigh from Fathia, while Jess? She grabbed her hair tightly. Even though it hurt, she really needed an outlet. Before it's too late, Fathia pulled Jess into the room.

"For me, this is a chance, Jess," Fathia said shortly after they entered the room. She closed the door quickly and made sure to lock it. She didn't want excessive suspicion to point at her because Naomi told Kenzo that their room was in the small room in the corner of the right wing.

"I know, Fathia. I know. But... seriously! The job is like being an office girl, you know. You know, what's it even involves?"

Fathia nodded slightly. "I don't mind, really. I even get a chance to enter Uncle Alef's room."

Jess groaned in frustration. She knew the meaning behind Fathia's words without needing a lengthy explanation. But... oh God. Ever since she met Fathia, let alone doing rough work like that, she could hardly stand being out in the sun while taking care of her garden. It hurt her to think that her friend had to take on such a job.

"There must be another way."

"Like what?" Fathia asked softly, making herself comfortable by sitting on the edge of the bed. She extended her legs and placed her hands on her lap, signaling for Jess to elaborate more.

"Well... well... anything, really."

"Jess?"

Jess wanted to say a lot, but everything got stuck in her throat.

"So, you were the one who said that no matter what risks I take, you'd support me. Right?" Fathia asked in a soft but really unsettling voice. Like a chant where Jess was ordered to obey. To accompany her without exception.

There was nothing Jess could do except nod slowly.

"Why the change?"

"I... I..." Jess took in a deep breath for a fresh supply of air. Mixed with the scent of vanilla that always filled the room, Jess prepared herself to voice her concerns again. However, the carefully constructed words disappeared without a trace.

"I don't mind, Jess, about this job. If that's what you're worried about regarding the type of work. Just support me."

"I won't let you go through this alone, Fathia," Jess finally said. "I just didn't expect Kenzo to be so forward with me. Like, seriously, I'm designated to work in his office."

Fathia couldn't help but smile. Placing her hand on her chest, she lowered it. "So that's what you're worried about?"

Jess's shoulders slumped. "It's like your cousin has a grudge against me," she said weakly. "I can't believe I met a Cobra Snake like him."

"What? Cobra Snake?" Fathia wanted to laugh, but seeing Jess's distressed face, she held back her laughter and turned it into a small smile that she tried hard to suppress from turning into laughter.

"Just look at his attitude! Oh my God! He acts like he's the coolest of them all," Jess grumbled. "Okay, that's it. I want to sleep. Just remembering his face ruins this beautiful night. Seriously! Of all people, oh God! My life has been at a low point, I don't want anything bad to happen again."

Fathia couldn't take it anymore. Finally, the laughter that she had suppressed until her stomach hurt burst out uncontrollably. It had been a while since she laughed this freely. Thankfully, Fathia had Jess by her side. Besides being an endless source of entertainment, Jess never intended to leave her and always supported her.

"So?" Fathia held back her laughter a bit and averted her gaze from Jess, because if she didn't, she was sure her laughter would keep coming out. "Are you going to take Kenzo's offer? As for me... you know the answer."

Jess pouted. "Do I even have a choice?"

***

At the same time, on the balcony of Sebastian's luxurious apartment, the large curtains were pulled open on purpose. Revealing the New York City skyline pulsating at night. The surrounding buildings were illuminated with bright lights.

"So, how did it go?" the man who was Sebastian's guest tonight asked. In front of him, Sebastian let out a slow sigh, massaging his temples roughly.

"We have evidence of money laundering in our hands, Sir. Just hand it over to the police, I'm sure Mr. Alef won't be able to deny it anymore."

True, what Sebastian was saying was accurate. With the help of his assistant, Sebastian had been trying to uncover what Alef had been hiding. There were a lot of projects that were hindered, but the costs flowed heavily. Every time Sebastian started digging in, Alef immediately defended himself and spoke with a dismissive attitude as usual.

"Before you came, Alvin always approved things for me, Sebastian. Remember, you only work here. Don't think you have any power."

Sebastian wanted to dig deeper, but Alef was always good at hiding. And now? With all the evidence, tax reports, and numerous project proposals with marked-up funds that left Sebastian shaking his head in astonishment, they were in his hands.

"Tomorrow, we'll hand it over to the authorities."

The man still wearing his shirt but with his sleeves rolled up nodded slowly. "But, Sir, if Mr. Alef gets arrested, there'll be a big meeting again. And chances are, it'll fall into Mr. Akmal's hands."

"Do you trust him?"

"As long as I've been observing at Group Azure, Mr. Akmal works just normally. He handles his part well, though, well... I can say, he's the one who still doubts me. Supporting Alef, of course, but there's no evidence pointing to Mr. Akmal."

This time it's Ronald who nods. "Have you checked all the money flow?"

Sebastian seems to be thinking, flipping through the stack of reports he's managed to gather. In sections he's deliberately marked with post-its because, really, this money flow seems very suspicious. "I've noticed large withdrawals from this account. Normally, I've seen not many withdrawals, mostly for accounts of companies working with projects under Alef's supervision in Group Azure."

Ronald furrows his brow. "What do you mean?"

"Three days after the large withdrawal date, I remember this event." Sebastian points to a series of numbers listed there. "The night when Fathia was openly targeted at her house, in case you've forgotten, Mr. Ronald."

A horrified realization appears on Ronald's face that he can't hide. His eyes return to the row of numbers Sebastian is pointing at. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Sebastian hands over another stack. "From the same account, this withdrawal is twice the amount. Exactly a week before the incident at Fathia's campus."

Ronald is taken aback by the fact that Sebastian has just revealed.

"I don't know if these are related or not, but it's definitely suspicious."

"Try to backtrack after or before Alvin's accident?" Ronald urges. His old hands can't wait to flip through the thick reports to satisfy his curiosity.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing, Mr. Ronald." Sebastian lets out a long sigh. The money flow in question happened six months after he took over Group Azure. Under the pretext that these projects were approved by Alvin and there's plenty of evidence where Alvin's stamp of approval was placed.

Sebastian can't manipulate those reports since Alef has the approval from Alvin. It's not like Sebastian can question Alvin's grave, right?

"When it comes to corruption, Mr. Ronald, I believe Alef can still laugh. If our suspicions are true and combined with this speculation, it means, if Alef was targeting Alvin and his entire family."

"Once again, we're lacking evidence to uncover this, Mr. Ronald."

Ronald slumps onto the sofa behind him in frustration. Not far from Sebastian, who's rubbing his temples roughly. "Damn!"

Silence is the best thing they can do right now. Busy with their own thoughts and determining their next steps, where all these files will soon be handed over to the authorities. Their hard work finding evidence could be in vain if Sebastian's remaining working days, which are numbered, are cut short.

"Should we approach Alan?"

Sebastian chuckled softly. "Alan's like a very obedient guard dog, Mr. Ronald. It's really hard to pressure him."

Ronald nodded weakly. "Or... use Kenzo?"

Sebastian's eyebrows knitted together. His gaze puzzled by what the middle-aged man had just said. "Kenzo? Alef's son?"

"Who else?" Ronald snorted amusedly.

"I asked him to stay at Fathia's house because of Alef's insistence and his wife's. The reason being that Kenzo can oversee the workers there."

Ronald sat up straight. "Did you ask the workers there about Kenzo?"

Sebastian nodded. "He's like a well-trained bird. He only leaves for work and never steps into any other rooms in the house."

"At all?"

Sebastian's nod served as an answer.

"Are you serious? They're not lying, are they?"

Sebastian understood why Ronald was pushing him. Not without reason, because there are very few people they can trust while the veil hasn't been lifted from Group Azure yet. "Everyone there is Alvin's trusted people, Mr. Ronald."

Now Ronald nodded slowly. "So why should we place Kenzo there?"

This question is the one that, up to now, Sebastian hasn't understood the motive behind.

"Naomi said,"

"Who's Naomi?" Ronald cut him off mercilessly.

"The head of the servants there, Mr." Seeing a slight nod from his conversation partner, Sebastian continued. "Kenzo never leaves his room and often stands staring out the window when he's back from work. Everyone there is on alert, Mr., including Dennis and Jack."

"Who are they?"

Sebastian smiled a little. "Just like Naomi, they're Alvin's trusted people."

Feeling that his words were no longer interrupted, Sebastian spoke again. "But as long as Kenzo's been there, there hasn't been a single suspicious action."

Both Ronald and Sebastian fell silent again. Their silence was interrupted by Sebastian's phone ringing. He asked for a moment to answer it, seeing Vino's name displayed there.

"Yeah?"

"Sir, I got a report from the HR department. Mr. Kenzo requested a job slot for two office girls."

Sebastian's brow furrowed. "Two girls? That's unusual, Vino."

"Yes, sir. Ms. Yeni said it's for his aunt's helpers at home."

"At home? His house?"

"Mr. Alvin's house, sir."