CHAPTER 2

Olivia was a lady of character and everyone at the office knew her bitter spot for Jessica. 

She was a bright lady as well. Smart and audacious in a way that makes her daring. 

Jessica on the other hand had her own simple qualities but Olivia wasn't going to let her have her place in the agency. 

And luckily for her, she's witnessing her leave the organization due to failure to prove herself worthy of being a detective. 

“You look pathetic.” Olivia continued. 

“I mean, who could have thought that those little cases that even a janitor in this organization could have solved would cost you a dismissal.” Olivia continued coldly, noticing what her hurtful words were doing to Jessica's expression.

“You should have stayed with your father, that way—” Olivia continued but Jessica cut her. 

“That's enough Olivia.”

“I get it! I get it!”

“You wanted me gone. Here I am, leaving!”

“I guess that's enough for your fill!”

Jessica summoned her speech out even though she would have preferred to be quiet to Olivia, but she wasn't going to stop. 

Olivia laughs softly with a smirk by the corner of her face. 

“You know you weren't even a competition, right?”

“You thought you could be here. But I'm glad to see you out!” 

“Maybe Mike would fix up now that you'd become penniless!”

Olivia added coldly. 

Mike again!

Was he really her problem?

She always wondered why everything roped back to Mike. 

Jessica stood there being ripped off her confidence when Mr Troy opened the door of the planning room. 

“Jessica?” Mr. Troy called. 

“Yes sir.”Jessica responded.

“Please come in.” Mr Troy replied. 

Jessica didn't care if she was about to hear the news of her dismissal. But just being saved from Olivia right now was more than she could ask for. 

“And you too Olivia.” Mr Troy added. 

Jessica and Olivia took a glance at each other and entered the board room. 

There, the head of the agency and other trusted board members sat quietly. Some with their nerdy glasses and some with eyes sharp as an eagle's. 

Mr Troy stood beside the round table while he looked at the girls to begin speaking. 

“The board has decided on your case, Miss Jessica.”

Jessica looked at Olivia, her heart racing, knowing she was about to be served like a hot breakfast to Olivia. 

“We think you deserve another chance!” Mr Troy said. 

Jessica could swear she didn't hear well. Mr Troy was probably talking to Olivia and not her. 

He was definitely mistaken. 

“Miss Jessica?” Mr Troy called out. 

“Miss Jessica, I said —”

“I'm — appalled.” Jessica stuttered.

“Thank you Mr Troy — and members of the board” Jessica added quickly.

“I'm sorry but did I hear you well?” Olivia started.

“Did you say she has been given another chance?” Olivia questioned, looking directly at Mr Troy, demanding quick answers.

“... I thought. I thought her case was reviewed for proper dismissal!” Olivia added furiously. 

“Well Olivia, she found favor in the meeting with the board. She has come close to solving cases and has never been cut short off duty. That's something.” He responded.

“This is a clear case of favoritism and you know it!” Olivia said and walked out of the board room. 

The board room was quiet for at least 30 seconds before Mr Troy broke the silence. Only then did Jessica understand why Olivia was about to cause a commotion. 

Although she would have expected her to be spiteful but not in front of the board members. 

Apparently, there was a challenging case at hand and mostly, the most challenging case would be given to the detective to be tested, which was Jessica. 

Olivia wanted that particular case and she knew what giving Jessica a second chance would cost her. 

The case was about a billionaire family, philanthropist and benefactor of the great city. But the radar has always had them on because other known suspects are in business with the family. 

The board dispersed and Mr Troy headed to his office with Jessica following behind him. Upon getting to his office, Mr Troy sat while Jessica stood staring at her boss, still in surprise of what just happened. 

Mr. Troy sighed heavily!

“You have this last case to prove yourself, Miss!" Mr Troy said with a fixed cold stare at Jessica. 

“I spoke to the board members about your records even if you've never closed a case and somehow, they saw you worthy of a second chance!” He added.

“I promise to bring this case closed up sir.” Jessica said blankly. 

“That's a promise Miss!”

“It must be kept!” Mr Troy said. 

“The case as you've been made to know involves a billionaire family, owners of the TRIX company and the biggest philanthropist in this part of the world. 

The CEO - Phillip Thorne.” Mr Troy said handing over the case file to Jessica. 

She stretched out and got the file to read properly and understand the case. 

“It says here he's married and with a child.”

“Are they also targets?” Jessica asked.

“A grown up son — not just a child”

“As for targets… you'd have to find that out yourself.” Mr Troy replied. 

“Okay sir.” Jessica concurred.

“Welcome back detective Jessica!” Mr Troy said with a beaming smile.

“Thank you sir” Jessica responded and headed to her office. 

The news of her no dismissal had spread round the office and she could see the cheers from the expressions on the faces of her colleagues. 

As she enters her office, she starts to offload her personal belongings back in the places they were taken from. She finished that and opened her new case file to read about it. 

Olivia walks right into her office with the sternest of looks. 

“You think you deserve that, huh?” She asked coldly, pointing at the file.

 Jessica was quiet.

“You think you're some sort of lucky princess always having the most prestigious cases, right?”

“That case file belongs to me and you know it!” Olivia continued raving.

“Can you just stop?” Jessica asks. 

“You said I was pathetic. Well, look at you. You look worse.” Jessica continued. 

“I know you're going to fail. As you always do.” Olivia added 

“... And I'd be here to witness another board meeting to send you out!” Olivia said bitterly. 

“That's not going to happen Olivia.” Jessica said even if she was yet to read the case file or even know her way to go about solving it. 

“I'd see to it myself. That's a promise!” Olivia said and walked out of her office leaving Jessica in another dilemma.

First, she was made to know that the case was a high profile one,

not sure of even a first step to action.

Now, Jessica was about to make things worse. 

Was this a blessing or more trouble in disguise?