The Lotus And The Billionaire

Chapter 63: Behind His Back

I couldn’t accompany Alvarez to the airport because he said it might cause an uproar if both of us were in such a crowded place. Apparently, it’d make us easier targets because it’d be difficult to find anything suspicious.

Of course, I immediately understood what that meant. That’s why I didn’t insist on coming with him anymore. It’s not necessary anyway.

And now, I’m with Vin inside the penthouse, playing games we found in Alvarez’s office. We were worried that he’d left bugs or something inside the room behind my back, so we were being careful.

“Are you sure you’re doing this?” he whispered while holding up his Uno cards, looking concerned.

I nodded. “Why?”

He shook his head and continued to play with me. I had already told him the important details over the phone, and he immediately wanted to veto the idea. Damn, he was so quick to tell me off!

Of course, I had already anticipated such a response. Going up against an Alvarez is already one thing, but betraying them is another.

But I have to or I’ll be walking away with shards stuck in my skin. That’s the last thing I’d want to happen.

“Sha, you might regret it…” he whispered as he placed a card down.

“I might,” I admitted as I flashed a knowing grin. “Even so, I can’t back down.”

I have already started this, so I can’t just chicken out. After I’ve sworn to uphold the dignity of our family? Ha, no way! Besides, if there’s one thing I hate, it’s hypocrisy.

Now, all we have to do is check the house for bugs or anything that’ll give us away. I don’t want this opportunity to go to waste. I feel like this will be the first and last big opportunity I will ever find.

Vienna is an expert at detecting bugs, so I had her make a device that serves that kind of purpose. Unfortunately, I had no good use for it, so I gave it to Vin instead. It suited the kind of job he does, anyway.

And now, he’s still using it. That’s why I made sure he brought the things he often uses when he’s working. He wasn’t really supposed to bring such things because Alvarez made sure we’d have sufficient equipment here.

“I don’t know, Sha. I feel like—”

“Vin,” I cut him off as I flashed a sinister smile. Fear was evident on his face, but he continued to look me in the eye. “Nothing matters to me anymore. Just do as I say and we’ll be fine.”

Vin sighed and nodded. “Alright…”

This is what I’ve been suppressing whenever I am anywhere near Alvarez’s presence. All I need to do right now is make sure he doesn’t find out what I’m doing. I have two days to find something that’ll work to my advantage.

I won’t do anything that’ll cause damage to either of us. Instead, it’ll be leverage for me so that he wouldn’t be able to control me or anything like that. The last thing I want is for myself to be another piece of garbage he easily gets rid of.

Right, that’s what I’ve been aiming for since marrying him. I’ve almost forgotten about it after suppressing my diabolical desires to crush him and his ego into bits.

This opportunity allowed me to regain those ill feelings I harbored towards him. I know it seems very stupid, but I have to protect myself and my family for the end we’ll be meeting.

“It’s done scanning…” Vin muttered as he placed his last card down.

I cursed upon realizing I had lost to him again! This is already our second game, but I lost again! He’s too good at games like this that I already knew I’d lose, even if it’s a game of luck.

Excitement filled me as Vin discreetly navigated through the tiny device that was meant to find every single bug and camera inside the house. With this, he’d be able to manipulate them as he likes.

I have never used it at all, but I remember Vienna telling me about it. She said it might really come in handy at certain times. Well, that time’s now!

“There are…eight,” he told me as he stared at the small screen.

“There are actually eight. When did he find the time to plant those…?” I muttered as I pretended to be taking a look at the cards.

“Mm-hmm. I know what to do now.”

Alvarez would definitely have no time to check what’s going on inside his penthouse, that much I’m sure of. He’ll be occupied with the Levistes and the threat he received. That’s why it’ll be much easier for us to disable everything.

There’s one problem, though. He might find out about what we’re doing. I don’t want to get busted doing something I shouldn’t be doing!

“Sha, sit there,” Vin told me as he pointed at the couch.

“What? Why?”

“I want coffee.”

Is that it…?

I stared at him as I waited for him to elaborate. Vin doesn’t normally say such things as they’re mundane and announcing them is unnecessary. We used to make phrases as codes, but I can’t seem to remember them.

I stared at him in anticipation of what he was about to say, but he simply stared at me. Oh, it really is a code. But I really don’t remember what it’s supposed to mean! In my defense, we were kids!

“You should have been named Denise. Sounds the same as dense,” he insulted as he made his way to the kitchen.

“That was foul! And besides, you could have just told me without using the stupid codes we made as kids.” I glared at him and sat on the couch.

He sighed and stirred the coffee he made for himself. “Stay on the couch and relax while I go. That’s all there is to it,” he replied as he rolled his eyes at me.

Oh.

He meant he was going to handle everything, right? I think that’s what it’s supposed to mean. Well, he seemed really relaxed as he sat on the stool, so I just allowed him to do whatever he pleased.

I decided to watch something on the television as he moved to the kitchen with his iPad. He’s probably pretending to be busy with something while disabling the bugs in secret.

I just hope he won’t take long because Alvarez’s office might be a little dangerous to go to. I have to make sure there won't be unforeseen consequences after all this.

The laptop and computer concern me the most, though. It’d be bad if he got notified of its activity or if he saw everything I’ve done once he gets back. It’s not like I can reset them or anything because it will make me more suspicious.

If I recall correctly, Vienna knows how to check such things. But she told me she’d be busy with things that are personal, so I don’t think I should contact her. Maybe Vin knows?

And if he doesn’t…then I’d have to resort to calling Vienna. If she responds, then it’d be good. But if she doesn’t, then it’s also okay with me. I can’t bother her too much.

But if it all comes down to it, then I’ll just do whatever I can with the devices. Alvarez will be too busy to find out anyway. I just have to make sure I don’t get caught now or it’ll be over.

“Done,” Vin told me as he stood up from the stool, walking towards me with a cup of coffee in his hand. “I did as you told me.”

“Oh, thanks…” I replied as I stood up, still wary of my surroundings.

“It’s okay now, Sha. Just go and do your thing.”

“What if he gets notified?”

Vin shrugged, a grin plastered on his face. “I’d say I was just being careful.”

Oh, that’s a good excuse!

But we still can’t relax. Gray Alvarez isn’t that dense. If I am, then he’s not. He’d realize what’s going on in a matter of minutes, and things might get ugly if he finds out. Even so, I can just manipulate the situation to my liking.

What I’m doing…isn’t something I’m proud of. To be honest, I feel so dirty doing something so evil. This isn’t something the old me could have done.

Ha, I remember being so righteous that I was renowned for it. The ever-respectable and highly regarded black lotus of the Diaz family. Now, I’m just another woman within the Alvarez clan.

“Alright, let’s go to his office…” I muttered, trying to get rid of the unwanted thoughts that kept on creeping up on me.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Don’t worry about me. We just have to get this done with.”

We were both tense as we made our way to Alvarez’s office. I rarely go here alone without his permission because he often just springs up from behind.

To be honest, I’m afraid of how Alvarez would react if he found out about what I’m doing when he’s not here to keep an eye on me. It’s not like he can do anything about it, but I’d rather not stir chaos up.

Once I’m done with this, I’m going to transfer it to a device that I’ll entrust to Vin. This makes us partners in crime! Or is it more of an accomplice?

Either way, I’ll just copy the things that might prove to be of use to me later on. I can’t leave anything out!

“Make it quick,” Vin told me as he tried to check if Alvarez’s PC and MacBook recorded all the activity.

It took me quite a while because my hands were trembling. Vin was getting frustrated, but he was trying to monitor the bugs. Both of our hands were full, but it was fine.

“Just take it easy, Sha…” he told me when he noticed how much I was struggling.

“I know, I know.”

And that’s what I did. After I had checked everything, I immediately took the USB out. With that, Vin and I switched seats as he checked for the activity of the device.

He was shaking his head as his fingers aggressively pressed the keys. His expression seemed so tense as he deleted the traces on the PC. I simply watched him, mesmerized at how he was able to do it.

I never knew he was this knowledgeable. Sure, I’ve always known that he’s good at everything he does, but I didn’t know that included being techy.

“Wow, that’s cool…” I commented as I nodded my head, impressed.

“This is easy,” he replied with a smug tone.

I smiled. “Since you think it’s easy…you’ll have to do it again with his MacBook.”

As he pressed the last key, he turned to me with a nervous expression. “Excuse me?”

“His MacBook.”

“What…” he trailed off, his tone sounding betrayed. “What do you even need his MacBook for? You always use that, right?!”

“Yes, but I never really got the chance to dig through the files he’s keeping there. There’s this one folder I’ve always wanted to check.”

He sighed and stood up. “It’s in your bedroom, right? Go get it, then we’ll check it on the balcony.”

I nodded and immediately did as he told me. We didn’t want to take too long because we were afraid Alvarez might check his cameras. I remembered him lying about those, so I thought he might actually find time to check those.

By the time we were done, we cleaned up our tracks and made sure nothing would seem suspicious. It was around dinner, and Vin told me he was going to stay in the living room and drink.

I felt so exhausted after everything, so I took a shower first even though I already wanted to sleep. And as I fell into bed, my phone began to ring.

Alvarez wants to FaceTime…

I sighed and answered, greeting him with a grim expression. I feel so sleepy already! But as much as I wanted to ignore it, I also wanted to know how he is in Thailand.

“Hey…” I greeted him as his face popped on my screen.

“Hm, hey.”

What the…