CHAPTER 97: ABSOLUTE COMMAND

Alice scoffed at Linda’s dramatics.

Alice tilted her head. "No, Rowan. It’s fine. If she’s courting death, let her come."

Even Rowan looked at her in surprise. Her tone was so level. So still. Like something deadly hidden beneath ice.

Rowan moved to the side hesitantly.

But...

Linda stopped. Just stopped. Her fists clenched and unclenched. Her nose flared. She could feel the weight of too many eyes watching. Waiting. The public humiliation, more stinging than the wine, held her back.

Also, the look in Alice’s eyes. She looked like a crazy wild dog on the loose.

"I’m... not done with you," Linda spat, her voice tight with venom.

Alice turned her back without a word. "I’ll be waiting." Her final words were a silent challenge, a promise of inevitable confrontation.

Eyes were peeled to her back as she exited, leaving Linda seething in the ruined tent.

Rowan’s brows were raised as he followed behind her, a newfound respect ans equal suspicion dawning in his eyes. But he didn’t say anything.

She kept walking, her stride purposefully even. But after a few more steps, her legs faltered. He caught her quickly, his hand steadying her arm.

"Miss Bos—"

"I’m fine," she muttered, but her voice was breathless, a thin thread.

He steadied her, walking slowly beside her. She looked even paler now, like her adrenaline had worn off, leaving her utterly drained. As they approached the parking area, a tall figure in a white vest emerged from the path ahead.

Hardy.

Alice froze.

Rowan noticed the change instantly. Her body language shifted from defiant strength to rigid tension.

"You okay?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

She swallowed. "Yes. Just... I’d like to speak with Mr. Cresswell. Alone."

Rowan looked at her, his curiosity piqued.

"It’s about the painting his sister left," she said to him, her voice carefully neutral, hoping he would buy it and stop giving her the suspicious look.

He nodded, though a faint wrinkle remained between his brows. "I’ll bring the car."

Alice gave a soft smile of thanks as he stepped away, leaving her utterly exposed.

Hardy approached with a calm, unreadable expression. His presence radiated a quiet authority.

"Mrs. Malay."

She met his gaze squarely, but her fingers trembled at her side, hidden from his view.

"Mr. Cresswell."

His voice soft, a gentle inquiry in his tone when he asked, "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yes. I’m fine."

He nodded slowly, his eyes sweeping over her, taking in her slightly pale complexion. "You ran well. Very impressive."

"Shouldn’t I have?" she asked, testing the waters.

"It shouldn’t matter either way," Hardy replied smoothly, his gaze thoughtful. His gaze settled on her lips.

"Are you sure everything is well?" He asked, his voice quieter now.

She realized where he was looking and nodded. The eyes and talks about her lip was endless. She had even heard some young men talking this morning about how Hades must have done that. Even Linda had looked like a delighted puppy when she saw it this morning.

"Does... does Aurora have a boyfriend?" Alice asked out of the blue.

Hardy’s brow raised slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "A boyfriend?"

"Yes," Alice said, trying to sound casual. "I heard from Suzy that there was a guy... but I don’t know anything about that. I haven’t been able to find anything."

"I’m not exactly sure," Hardy admitted, a rare note of uncertainty in his voice. "Aurora was... quite private about her personal life. Very private."

Alice guessed so too. Hardy wouldn’t know. Was she back to square one?

"If we meet him," Alice mused, almost to herself, "we might be able to learn a thing or two about Aurora. Because Priscilla isn’t saying anything, and it’s difficult for me to find things on my own without being... watched." The last word was a barely audible sigh, a hint of the suffocating scrutiny she felt.

Hardy’s expression hardened, a brief, sharp flash in his eyes. He understood. "Indeed," he murmured. Then, his gaze became piercing, almost direct. "I believe you must have no idea about Priscilla’s relationship with... drug cartel?"

"Drugs?" Alice repeated, her voice thin with surprise, a cold knot forming in her stomach as the news from this morning flashed in her memory.

He said nothing, his gaze unwavering, merely holding hers. "Nothing. It’s just... ongoing cases."

Alice hesitated, her mind racing. She really wanted to understand what that was about but she didn’t push. Also, Caroline. She wanted to ask. To know what was his sister’s deal with the painting.

But she thought better of it. The implications were too vast, too dangerous.

She had to really think about how to approach this. Not "Hey, Hardy. I think your sister is a thief. Why aren’t you doing anything when you are a prosecutor?"

While she was siding with Hardy now, she could never fully trust a human being.

After a long moment of internal struggle, she shook her head. "Nothing."

"What did you want to ask?" Hardy pressed gently, his tone insistent.

"Nothing," Alice repeated, firmer this time, forcing a smile.

Just then, Rowan brought the car around, its engine a low hum. Hardy nodded to him, then turned back to Alice. "Take care of yourself, Aurora." His words held a depth of sincerity that surprised her.

As he walked away, a warmth spread through Alice despite her lingering unease. He was kinda a great guy.

She wished Aurora had ended up with him instead.

---

Meanwhile, in his private room in Block C, Hades sat at a large, imposing desk. Across from him, Clarisse, her usual cool demeanor a shade more subdued, had just finished presenting a tablet.

Hades stared at the screen, his expression unreadable, a silent storm brewing behind his dark eyes. Information, meticulously gathered, flashed across the display. Details far more extensive, far more damning than he had anticipated when he’d simply asked her to "look into" some areas. He scrolled, his finger a slow, deliberate movement, each swipe revealing another layer of new information.

A slow, derisive snort escaped him. He lifted his gaze to meet Clarisse’s, his eyes burning with an intensity that would freeze lesser men in their tracks. "No one else should know any of this information," he stated, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. It wasn’t a request. It was an absolute command.

Clarisse, ever the professional, met his gaze, her spine ramrod straight. "Yes, boss." Her voice was quiet, respectful, acknowledging the immense weight of his words. She knew, better than anyone, the kind of absolute loyalty Hades demanded, and the swift, brutal repercussions for betrayal.