Thirty Six

After halfway through their journey from Maria's house, Alexander felt his stomach growling. In a casual tone, he said, "Cassandra, how about we stop for lunch?"

Cassandra, who had been staring out the window, nodded. "Alright, maybe having something to eat can help clear our minds," she said with a faint smile.

Alexander pulled the car into an area with several fast-food restaurants. They chose one of the busier outlets, went inside, and ordered burgers and cold drinks. Alexander took a seat in a corner of the room, looking for a quieter area to avoid attracting attention.

As they enjoyed their meal, Cassandra appeared more relaxed, although her mind was still busy processing what had happened at Maria's house. "Alex," she began, "do you think Maria will really stop there?"

Alexander chewed his food calmly before answering, "No. Someone like Maria won't stop easily. But we won't stop seeking the truth either." His tone was filled with determination.

Unbeknownst to them, a few tables away, Ben, Antonio's secretary, sat in a strategic position. His phone camera discreetly clicked under the table, capturing several photos of Cassandra and Alexander. One photo showed them having a serious conversation, while another caught Alexander laughing softly, perhaps at one of Cassandra's jokes.

Ben quickly sent the photos to Antonio with a short message: "They seem to be getting closer, Boss. This might be something you need to know."

Meanwhile, in a grand office in the city center, Antonio was sitting behind his large desk. Marcus, one of his trusted bodyguards, stood in front of the desk in an alert posture. They were discussing one of Antonio's business partners, Andrew.

"Sir, Andrew has contacted us again," Marcus said. "He's asking for a reduction in loan interest. He claims his company's financial situation is difficult."

Antonio smirked slightly, his expression calculating. "Andrew might be struggling, but don't forget, he has strong market connections. I don't want to make an enemy of someone like him. Reduce the interest, but only slightly. Don't be too generous."

Marcus nodded, taking note of the instructions. "Understood, Sir. I'll take care of it."

At that moment, Antonio's phone buzzed. He looked at Ben's message, opened the photo attachment, and stared at the screen with a neutral expression. Slowly, he turned his phone toward Marcus.

"Look at this," Antonio said coldly. Marcus stepped closer, examining the photo of Alexander and Cassandra at the fast-food restaurant. "What do you want to do, Sir?" Marcus asked, his eyes still on the screen.

Antonio leaned back in his chair, staring at Marcus with a piercing gaze. "I want Alexander taught a lesson. Make sure he ends up battered. But leave no traces whatsoever."

Marcus straightened, understanding the command. "I understand, Sir. I will arrange it immediately."

Antonio nodded, a faint smile returning to his face. "Make sure it's clean, Marcus. I don't want a minor issue like this to escalate into a major problem."

Marcus sat with his men in an old warehouse they often used as a gathering place. Cigarette smoke filled the air, mingling with the smell of alcohol from bottles scattered on a rickety wooden table. Marcus took a bottle of beer, sipping it slowly while listening to the casual banter of his men.

"So, what's the plan after this, Boss?" asked one of them, a burly man with tattoos on his arms.

Marcus lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply before answering, "I need to find someone."

Another of his men, a thin man with a mischievous grin, chimed in, "Are we going to rough up another bankrupt businessman?" His laughter echoed in the room but stopped when Marcus shook his head slowly.

Marcus exhaled a plume of smoke, his eyes narrowing. "Not a businessman this time. We need to teach a cop a lesson."

Silence immediately enveloped the room. All of Marcus's men exchanged worried glances. Teaching a cop a lesson was clearly no ordinary task. Marcus observed them one by one, ensuring his message was understood.

He pulled another cigarette from his pocket, gazing out the grimy warehouse window. "This is a direct order from Boss Antonio," he said coldly. "And remember, no traces whatsoever."

Marcus crushed his cigarette underfoot, the sound of smoldering ash crackling in the quiet. He stood, grabbed his jacket, and walked out of the warehouse without looking back. One by one, his men followed, leaving behind empty bottles and lingering smoke in a room that now felt more ominous than ever.

At the restaurant, Alexander glanced at Cassandra as she ate her meal. He chuckled softly when he noticed a smudge of sauce under her lip. Reflexively, he grabbed a napkin and gently wiped it away. "You've got something right here," he said lightly.

Cassandra froze, her face suddenly flushing as the proximity between their faces felt far too close. Alexander seemed oblivious to her nervousness and returned to enjoying his meal. However, Cassandra felt her heart pounding rapidly.

"Let's go," she said abruptly, trying to break the awkwardness. Alexander looked at her briefly, raising an eyebrow, but he merely nodded and began tidying up his belongings.

In the car, silence initially dominated the atmosphere. Alexander finally broke it with a question that made Cassandra tense.

"Cassandra, have you ever known Antonio Franches personally?"

Cassandra turned to him quickly but said nothing. Panic surged through her mind as she tried to formulate a suitable response. The silence between them grew heavier, and Alexander stared at the road with a serious expression, waiting for an answer that never came.

Cassandra finally diverted her gaze to the window, watching the passing scenery. "Yeah, I know Antonio," she replied softly. "His face is everywhere, Alex. Who doesn't know him?"

Alexander glanced at her briefly, feeling her answer was too simplistic for someone who had seemed so tense earlier. However, he chose not to press Cassandra further. The atmosphere in the car returned to silence, awkwardness filling the space between them.