Chapter 139

As they drove, Latisha shivered, though she wasn't sure if it was from the open window or a sudden chill.

Zadok noticed and promptly closed the window and turned on the air conditioning.

"My apologies," he said. "I'm not a fan of the smell of air conditioning, so I forgot to turn it on."

Latisha shook her head to indicate it was fine.

They arrived at an electronics store, and Zadok led her confidently to a shop specializing in security systems. It was clear he was a regular customer.

Latisha watched him, impressed. He was a well-connected lawyer; he'd found Preston's address in minutes, and now he was buying a camera from an old acquaintance.

After a brief discussion with the owner, Zadok selected a model, and the owner arranged for a free installation.

As they left the store and headed for the parking lot, a fleet of luxury cars screeched to a halt, blocking their path.

Latisha's heart seized.

Several men in sharp suits emerged from the cars. Ziven stepped out of the lead Bentley, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door.

Latisha swallowed hard, her eyes glued to the opening.

A pair of long legs swung out, and a polished leather shoe hit the pavement. The sound seemed to land directly on her heart, and her fingers clenched into fists.

Clifford emerged from the car, a black overcoat draped over his shoulders. Surrounded by his bodyguards, he exuded an aura of power that instantly dominated the scene.

Zadok's expression hardened, and he instinctively glanced at Latisha.

Clifford strode toward them, his cold gaze sweeping over Latisha before landing on Zadok. "So this is the lawyer you found?"

Zadok stood tall. "And you are?"

"She hired you, and you don't know who I am?"

Zadok frowned, but before he could respond, Latisha stepped in front of him, desperate to explain.

Clifford grabbed her arm, pulled her back, and shoved her toward Ziven.

"Take her home."

Ziven caught her, his expression complicated. "Mrs. Lambert, let's go.”

Latisha shook her head, struggling to get back to Clifford, but Ziven held her firm.

"Don't make this worse," he

whispered. He signaled to the bodyguards, who moved in and escorted a struggling Latisha to one of the cars. She was no match for them and was half-dragged,O half-carried away, her eyes fixed on Zádok as a sense of dread washed over her.

Once her car had departed, Zadok turned his attention back to Clifford. "Sir, I believe there's been a misunderstanding. My relationship with Ms. Judd is strictly professional."

A humorless smile touched Clifford's lips. He stared at Zadok, his voice casual. "Then it seems there's no misunderstanding at all. Zadok, let's have a word."

Zadok glanced up at the security camera on the building above them and smiled politely. "Of course."

He willingly got into the car.

Though he was prepared for trouble,

nothing could have quite prepared

him for the remote villa on the mountainside. As they approached, the sounds of roaring beasts echoed through the air, and even Zadok couldn't hide his unease. But years of professional training allowed him to quickly regain his composure. He walked beside Clifford as if they were old friends taking a stroll, the only hint of menace being the silent bodyguards trailing behind them.

“How did you and my wife meet?" Clifford asked, breaking the silence.

"I believe that's a question you should ask Ms. Judd," Zadok replied smoothly. "She

was the one who contacted me."

He had his regular clients, so he

didn't know who had referred

Latisha. But the contact information she had used was known to only a select

ect few, which was why he had,

taken her case so seriously.

Normally, he wouldn't have bothered with such a minor case.