Chapter 172

"Santino, I want to know your motive. What's your purpose for infiltrating the Lambert family?"

Santino lit his own cigarette, leaning back and gazing out at the city lights. "And if I don't tell you?"

"It doesn't matter," Clifford said flatly. "If you don't want to talk, don't. But the assets you moved... you'll find a way to return them yourself."

Santino actually laughed. "Clifford, do you really think that's appropriate, coming from you?"

"Santino, those aren't my words, and you know it. You don't need to play games with me. I'm not recording this."

The hand holding the cigarette paused mid-air. From the moment Santino'd gotten in the car, Santino had been carefully measuring his words, letting Clifford lead the conversation, afraid of giving anything away. He'd suspected Clifford was wearing a wire, that one slip-up would mean he wouldn't be leaving the Lambert estate tonight.

He hadn't expected Clifford to read his mind so easily. He had always known Clifford was a formidable opponent, which was why he'd been so careful at the company for the past two years. But this time, he had seized an opportunity, only to have it turned against him.

Now, Santino was forced to re-evaluate the man sitting beside him.

He turned to face Clifford, the smile finally gone from his face. His slightly curled hair cast shadows that made his expression unreadable.

"Clifford, I have one question for you."

"Ask."

"Do you, or do you not, know about Latisha's past?" Santino's voice was different now-less warmth, more steel.

Clifford's brow furrowed, but he didn't answer.

Santino waited a few seconds, then smiled, his old demeanor returning. Clifford's silence was answer enough for both of them.

He opened the car door. "Clifford,"

he said, looking back, "if you want to be a good man, be a good man all the way. If you want to be a villain, then be one completely. Otherwise... you'll end up with nothing."

With that, Santino got out of the car and walked away without looking back.

A fine mist was falling, turning the streetlights into hazy halos. The city skyline was shrouded, its edges

blurred and indistinct. Santino's net

shadow stretched long under the lights before he disappeared into the night.

Clifford stared in the direction he had gone, his expression unreadable.

The masks were off. The real battle was just beginning.

In the villa of Aqua Harmony Haven.

Clifford stood over the sofa, looking down at the woman curled up on it. She was in

a tight ball, her head buried in the cushions, her arms wrapped around herself like a stray puppy.

She was a light sleeper. The

moment the sofa cushion dipped

beside her, her eyes flew open.

Seeing Clifford, the initial panic in her eyes faded, replaced by familiar flicker of disappointment

“Why are you sleeping out here again?” he asked, reaching out to touch her cheek.

She stared at him, unmoving. His fingers were cool against her skin, and she flinched.

Clifford leaned closer and cupped her face. "Go sleep in the bed, okay?" he murmured, his voice soft, as if coaxing a child.