Chapter 152: Chapter 152

Brianna did not say anything. Her poker-faced look did not reveal whatever reaction, impression, or thoughts were playing in her mind. She did not show any cautiousness, but she was not showing signs of familiarity or any sort of comfortability. But the woman in the wheelchair was so carefree and confident that no harm was being brought to her by the guests she was somehow warmly welcoming.

Lucien quietly observed the flow of the conversation between the two ladies. He was also observant of the atmosphere and mood of the surroundings. In Lucien's understanding and observations, the lady of the house was somehow confident that he and Anna were not going to do anything violent or anything she won't be able to defend herself with, despite the fact that she was in a wheelchair.

He looked around the study room. Nothing but a few portraits of paintings in different sizes were hanging on the wall. No matter how Lucien checked the place for anything unusual, he could not find one. But he could tell this person was not ordinary; based on her confidence, she was someone who knew well what she was doing.

"I am glad you found me first," the lady moved to a table nearby and elegantly poured three cups of tea.

Silence filled the whole place.

"I used to work with Marine Colonel Leith Peters," she started as she gently placed the cups of tea in front of Lucien and Brianna. The two did not move to drink the offered tea, but the lady took a sip of hers. "But I got injured during a mission, and I was sent to an indefinite leave. Colonel wanted to take me back in his team as he believed I could help him gather information through the internet from one place and be his eye from the dark. But the higher authorities strongly disapproved of our appeals. His requests were denied, and my disposition got even worse. I was forced to retire. But after a few days, I realized I was being hunted. Colonel Peters sent men to guard and keep me safe from the shadow, and they helped fake my death. Not long after, Colonel got married and made it an excuse to request for early retirement. I was one of his informants. I lived as a ghost, and my enemies took the bait that I was dead along with the assassins they sent to finish me."

Lucien was bewildered to realize he was right to think that this lady was not as simple and fragile as she looked. He could see a refined similarity between her and Anna. Then a thought came to his mind; he took a deep breath and cautiously asked.

"Do you mind telling us your name?"

The lady took another sip of her tea before responding to Lucien's question.

"I better not. Just call me what you think is my name or nothing at all," the lady declined.

"Why is that?" Lucien asked again. He glanced at Anna to check how she was reacting in his conversation with the woman of the house.

"Because walls have eyes and ears, I better stay unknown, unnoticed, or they won't stop until I am erased from the face of the earth. They don't want people like me alive, especially kicking back their asses," the lady replied.

"We found the name "Sam" on the note that concealed your information. Can we call you "Sam"?" Lucien asked again.

The lady smiled as she shook her head. Then she nodded. "Sam…" she mumbled. "Okay."

"Now, let me tell you everything I know before we run out of time," Sam cleared her throat.

"The person behind your parents' death, as well as your grandparents', is the same. His name is Terrence Clayton. Does the name ring a bell?"

"Are we talking about the Terrence Clayton, like the Terrence Clayton that everyone in the country would not miss to know and identify as who?" Lucien asked in bedazzlement.

"The one and only," Sam nodded, looking at Brianna instead of Lucien, who seemed to be punching in the questions while the girl was casually quiet. "This man is from the marine as well. He retired from duty to pursue politics, but we found out he was connected to huge firearm dealers in the black market behind the face of the government military supply. Colonel Peters connected the dots and decided to deepen the investigations, but we were suddenly shut off. Orders from the top were to submit all our files, and another special force would continue where we left off. It was fishy, so we moved without orders, compromising our positions, but we were able to bring home the appointed head in that warehouse. We intentionally leaked the images and reports to the internet through a unanimous concerned citizen. The government had no choice but to acknowledge us as heroes, but it was all for a show. I was injured, and they dismissed me from duty for good by issuing a forced retirement. Colonel Peters was threatened that if he did not apply for early retirement, none of his subordinates would get any benefit from all the years they have served because we disobeyed a direct order. He had no choice but to comply, but he pursued digging by opening a Private Investigating Services. He did not call anyone from his men except for me to work with him. I was already dead in the eyes and knowledge of many, so I was fit for the job."

Brianna and Lucien listened attentively. Sam was clearly and fluently sharing the information without fear. The man she was talking about was now a prominent personality in the world of politics. Terrence Clayton is presently the country's vice president. He is said to have started as a governor on the state after claiming the applause of people from the successful mission Colonel Peters and his team worked on despite orders to abort. Since the news spread on the internet, Terrence Clayton, who was already a Major during that time, came forward to claim that he organized the mission for the security of every citizen. And it has been a loud rumor that he will run for Presidency in the next Presidential elections.

"I have been looking for you for years, but I couldn't find you no matter how I tried," Sam stared at Brianna. "I could not go out to look for you on my own feet, so I have tried to dig through every means that chances had presented me with, but I have failed. Imagine my surprise when you said you were Colonel's daughter. I had a hard time looking for you in the crowd at lunch today, but I still found you," Sam chuckled softly.

Brianna was not fazed, but Lucien could not hold his curiosity.

"How..?"

"Because she distinctively yet subtly stands out. In all my life, I have mastered being observant to detect the threats that may come around and greet my way," Sam replied. "Only very few would have noticed her actions. I bet you were not aware when she found me among the people in the food court. Who would have thought a woman in a wheelchair would be the person you came all the way there for?" She asked, squinting her eyes as she gazed at Lucien as if checking his facial expressions for the honesty of whatever answer he would give.