Roman Rossi’s POV
Chapter 123 - Manipulation and Mounting Frustrations
On my drive to the family compound, yesterday’s lunch with that bastard Caleb consud my thoughts. Every arrogant word from his mouth only deepened my loathing for that privileged fool. The condescending way he spoke to made my blood boil, but I had to swallow my pride. I needed him for my daughter, needed him to put a ring on her finger and give her children with his precious bloodline. The Thorne na was my golden ticket, guaranteeing that his entire empire would eventually flow to my daughter and grandson, and ultimately into my hands.
The most infuriating part was his audacity to push back the engagent ceremony by several months. Every delayed day ant my plans remained in limbo, but my darling Yara had to throw her tantrum about so ridiculous social event. Still, perhaps a grand, newspaper-worthy wedding would serve my purposes better. The whole underworld would witness my daughter becoming the legitimate Mrs. Thorne, mother to the next heir.
There was still the matter of that magnificent estate, his parents’ property. What a breathtaking fortress, sitting empty while that fool lived in his cramped penthouse. Now he wanted to stuff my Yara into so diocre safe house. But my clever girl assured she would handle that situation perfectly.
Another productive day awaited at what would soon beco my operation. My carefully laid plans were approaching fruition. That idiot believed himself so clever, yet he couldn’t identify who orchestrated Ivy’s downfall, even after discovering her innocence and bringing her back. He remained completely oblivious to the web spinning directly beneath his nose.
The endless renovation on my floor of the compound continued to irritate beyond asure. Weeks had passed since construction began, with no completion in sight. Sharing space with those low-level street soldiers severely hampered my operations. I had to exercise extre caution now, surrounded by unfamiliar faces from outside my crew. Caleb’s new security protocols, citing so mysterious system upgrade, had prompted Neil to temporarily halt our money laundering transactions. Well, he was the family accountant and my trusted ally, so I respected his judgnt.
Today I planned to pressure Caleb into clearing my floor and lifting that damned security restriction. His prohibition against evening and weekend compound access made docunt switching considerably more challenging.
Reflecting on recent weeks, nurous strange changes had occurred throughout the family operations. Perhaps he harbored suspicions, though if that were true, he would have eliminated imdiately given his obvious disdain. I would push him to restore our previous operational rhythm. The major downside was losing Monica as my intelligence source within his inner circle. That incompetent woman actually assaulted so newcor freak. Naturally, he wouldn’t tolerate such behavior. Now that useless Monica served no purpose beyond handling my daughter’s trivial requests, yet she persisted in calling constantly like so lovesick teenager.
I parked and walked from the lot toward the Thorne compound, another source of daily frustration. Since losing my family parking privileges, I had to use street parking a block away. What an inconvenient waste of ti and dignity.
Approaching the entrance, I spotted that fool waiting for . I had been successfully avoiding her since her expulsion from the inner circle, but today she appeared here like so desperate stalker. Monica truly lacked basic intelligence. Being seen together could completely destroy my carefully constructed plans.
"Roman, don’t you dare pretend you didn’t see . Move your ass over here. We need to talk imdiately."
"Monica, this location is completely inappropriate."
"I don’t give a damn about appropriate. We’re talking right now. That little coffee shop across the street, nobody frequents it at this hour. Move it."
"Fine." I sighed heavily and crossed the street with mounting irritation.
We entered the quaint coffee shop and ordered coffees. This discreet little establishnt had served as our ergency eting location for months. The elderly owner typically worked alone, completely absorbed in her crossword puzzles, often so distracted she barely acknowledged custors.
"Make this quick, Monica. We cannot be observed together now that you’re no longer part of the inner circle."
"Watch your tone with , Roman. I possess information that could obliterate you and your precious princess daughter."
"Don’t threaten , Monica."
"Then don’t abandon , Roman. If anyone notices us, simply claim I ca begging for help getting my position back and you felt charitable."
"Agreed. What do you want?"
"What do I want, Roman? Money, obviously. My position back. And an explanation for why you’ve been avoiding . It’s been far too long since we t, I miss you, tiger." Her syrupy, seductive voice made my skin crawl. This woman was absolutely pathetic.
"Monica, circumstances beca extrely complicated after your departure from Caleb’s circle. I’m uncertain about that bastard’s current sches. You must exercise patience."
"Roman, patience isn’t in my vocabulary. Figure sothing out imdiately, or I start talking. Don’t forget that I arranged for that drugged drink to be served to Caleb at the party. That’s the only reason your little princess could make him believe they slept together, though we both know he was unconscious the entire ti." Monica displayed that malicious smile I despised. "Besides, your daughter isn’t actually pregnant yet, and it was only through my connections that she managed to forge those test results at Caleb’s trusted doctor. I had to bribe the nurse who helped us, and you still haven’t reimbursed ."
"Alright, Monica." I sighed, calculating my options. This woman had beco a genuine liability. "et at the safe house during lunch. I’ll give you sothing special."
"Perfect. I’m heading there imdiately."
Monica departed abruptly. What a dangerous woman. I needed to keep her satisfied until my plan reached completion, or perhaps arrange for her permanent disappearance. She still possessed valuable contacts at Caleb’s frequent haunts. The underground club receptionist, for instance, always inford us of his presence, making Yara’s strategic appearances much easier.
I finished my coffee and headed to the compound. The cafe owner never even glanced up from her crossword puzzle. A rival family could execute a hit right here without her noticing.
Observing all these unfamiliar street soldiers patrolling my floor filled with rage. These people generated excessive noise, displayed too much eagerness, hardly resembled serious enforcers. I entered my pathetic temporary office, which imdiately darkened my mood further. This place was becoming absolute hell.
My phone vibrated with a ssage from Neil: "Do you know anything about the new security system being implented?"
Why this inquiry now? I had no knowledge of any system he referenced. Probably another worthless surveillance upgrade. I responded exactly that, and imdiately received his reply.
"Better be worthless. Had drinks with a financial contact who ntioned a new tracking system that monitors entire family operations and is completely fraud-proof. One suspicious transaction triggers flags and blocks all operations. The system’s developer is Caleb’s friend. I pray he hasn’t purchased this technology. It costs a fortune."
What the hell was this? I didn’t realize such technology existed. But it definitely wasn’t that system. I had reviewed the contract and paynt order from another source, relatively inexpensive. Neil was simply being paranoid. I ssaged him this assessnt and told him to relax.
Ti to pressure Caleb about my floor situation. I called his direct line and that mysterious secretary answered. After requesting to speak with the boss, she transferred following so delay.
"Caleb, we need to discuss sothing important." I snapped impatiently.
"What do you want, Roman?"
"In person. I’m coming upstairs."
"If you want conversation, it happens by phone. I’m not interested in looking at your face." This arrogant bastard would pay for every humiliation.
"Listen here, Caleb, I cannot remain on this temporary floor any longer. It’s like living in chaos with undisciplined soldiers. These people lack professionalism, respect for hierarchy. Too much noise, too much disruption. My floor renovation has dragged on excessively and must end imdiately."
"Listen here, Roman, show proper respect for MY family’s soldiers. MY floor will be completed when I decide, and I’m keeping you with the street crew precisely BECAUSE I WANT TO." This son of a bitch was actually yelling at . I wanted to put a bullet in his skull.
"Caleb, stop being childish. The underboss has always maintained separate quarters for legitimate reasons."
"Roman, it’s decided. You’ll permanently share quarters with the soldiers." He hung up on . I was going to destroy this worthless piece of garbage.
Imdiately afterward, my insufferable wife called demanding money for Yara’s engagent dress shopping, insisting I accompany them. Obviously I refused, but transferred money to that annoying woman’s account to end the conversation.
I spent the remaining morning in complete irritation. Ti to et that idiot Monica. What a miserable day. I left my temporary office and headed to the safe house. Upon arrival, I found that annoying woman waiting with takeout food.
"What the hell is this, Monica? You couldn’t possibly order sothing decent for my lunch?"
"Be grateful I ordered anything. I’m not your wife, Roman."
I sighed and consud that pathetic al. God, I appreciated fine dining, despised cheap food, and this idiot knew that perfectly. After eating, Monica began her performance.
"You seem extrely stressed, Roman. Co here, I’ll help you relax and forget your troubles."
"Excellent idea. I’ll work out my frustrations until I feel completely satisfied."
I proceeded to the bedroom and used that whore for the remainder of my lunch break. After dressing, I transferred money to her account via phone.
"I sent you sothing. Save it carefully because family finances are tight. Until the final takeover, everything remains complicated."
"Fine, it’s sufficient for now," she said, checking the amount. "But what about my position back?"
"That’s impossible currently, darling. Only after I assu control. You know we’re together, and you’ll beco my personal lieutenant."
"When are you leaving your wife, Roman? You promised to make your woman. I cannot tolerate my idiot husband any longer."
"Darling, we must endure this situation until everything concludes. I cannot stand that stupid wife of mine either. Once the family becos mine, we’ll be together. Just exercise a little more patience."
"Alright," she sighed. "Your daughter wants my assistance choosing her engagent dress."
"Perfect, select the most beautiful one. My stupid wife has absolutely terrible taste."
I left that whore in the safe house. Very soon, I would eliminate her permanently. I couldn’t tolerate her presence much longer.
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