Chapter 192: Kelvin’s message
Nathaniel’s cold stare lingered on the door long after it closed behind Riya, his thoughts circling back to her words. Now that he had seen her true face, trust was gone, replaced by a wary resolve. Still, a thin strand of hope remained: that fear of exposure would be enough to restrain her from troubling Zara again.
A firm knock snapped him out of his brooding.
"Come in," he called, shifting his posture, straightening as he refocused on the laptop glowing before him.
The secretary slipped in, her expression tense and apologetic. "I’m so sorry, sir," she said quickly. "I tried to stop her, but she ignored—"
Nathaniel raised a hand, cutting her off with quiet authority. "It’s okay. I don’t blame you."
Relief flooded her face. She exhaled shakily, as though she had been holding her breath all this time. "Thank you, sir. Thank you so much," she said softly, her shoulders loosening.
Gathering herself, she stepped forward and extended a folder. "Your meeting with the IT team is in an hour. This is the update I received from them."
Nathaniel accepted the file, his long fingers flipping it open. His eyes scanned the pages. A glint of satisfaction flickered in his gaze.
According to the report, the system was ready, developed, and tested, and now the team was ready for the trial.
For the first time that day, a genuine smile spread across his face. Excitement buzzed in his chest.
This wasn’t just another corporate tool—it was a leap. He couldn’t wait to see it unfold into reality at the launch.
"These are the applications for the assistant’s position," the secretary said, passing him another file. "The interviews are set for tomorrow."
Nathaniel’s eyes flickered down to the file, his smile disappearing. He didn’t want this replacement. Roberto had been more than just an assistant; he was reliable, efficient, and a man Nathaniel trusted without a doubt. He had been waiting for an update from him. But there was no news from him.
Working without an assistant wasn’t impossible, but it was a constant irritation. Small tasks piled up, details slipped through cracks. Besides, the work pressure on the poor secretary had increased immensely.
He knew her limits, and he wasn’t unkind. For her sake and for his own help, he’d have to consider these applications.
"I know." His voice was clipped. "I’ll check."
The secretary looked down at the envelope she carried. She placed it on the desk. "I received this a while ago. There is no sender’s name." Her curiosity was evident in her tone.
Nathaniel’s posture stiffened as he gazed down at the envelope. His mind raced as he wondered who could have sent it to him. Then he suddenly remembered about Kelvin.
’Did Kelvin send this to me?’ The question burned in his mind.
"Okay," he said coolly, with a flick of his fingers, dismissing her without looking up.
The secretary bowed her head and quietly left the office.
Nathaniel ripped open the envelope and discovered a photo of Jaxon stepping into a secluded house. Along with it was a short note: ’Meet me at Brew & Chew Café at exactly 6 p.m..’
The moment he read it, he knew Kelvin had dug up something on Jaxon. Crushing the note in his fist, his jaw tightened.
"Jaxon, your end has come."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the meeting, Nathaniel arrived at the address where Kelvin had asked him to come. The café was warm and lively. The air carried the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, blending with the faint sweetness of pastries.
Nathaniel stepped inside with measured strides, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. Unknown faces filled the space, couples leaning close, laughing over mugs, lone patrons lost in their laptops. But he didn’t see the face he was searching for.
He glanced at his wristwatch. Five minutes to six. A tight line formed on his lips.
Kelvin was known to be punctual. Surely, he would appear any moment now.
Choosing a quiet corner table, Nathaniel seated himself.
A waiter approached with a polite smile, pen poised over his notepad.
"One latte," Nathaniel ordered coolly.
"Of course, sir. It will be right out," the waiter replied before walking away.
Nathaniel’s eyes wandered across the café once more, watching the easy warmth of those around him. His restlessness grew with each passing second. He drummed his fingers lightly against the table, his mind ticking.
’Where are you, Kelvin?’
The waiter soon returned, setting a steaming cup before him.
"Your coffee."
"Thank you," Nathaniel replied, his lips quirking slightly.
As the waiter moved away, Nathaniel’s gaze dropped to the swirl of steam rising from his cup, but his mind was impatient.
His fingers curled around the cup as he lifted it, tasting the coffee in measured sips. He glanced at his watch—6:10 p.m. Kelvin hadn’t come yet.
A frown appeared on Nathaniel’s face as he wondered why Kelvin had not appeared yet. Had someone played a trick on him?
A voice cut through his thoughts from directly behind him. "Don’t look back. Just listen to me carefully."
The sound made him freeze. The cup trembled in his hand for a heartbeat before he forced himself to relax and lean back into his seat, keeping his expression neutral. He took a deliberate, tentative sip while his eyes scanned the room.
Kelvin lowered his voice. "I tracked down Jaxon. But getting to him is not easy. You have no idea how I managed to pin down that location."
Nathaniel’s calm hardened into cold resolve. "He wronged my wife," he hissed. "I won’t let him go unpunished."
"How are you going to get him? He is the one who killed that waitress. I’ve got proof." From behind Nathaniel’s chair, he slid an envelope.
"Don’t open it here," Kelvin warned in a low tone.
Nathaniel didn’t argue. He flicked the envelope into the inside pocket of his coat.
"He is under Zachary’s protection—hiding out in a safe house in the suburbs. No one can get there. Any suspicion and you are dead."
"I don’t care who is protecting him," Nathaniel replied. "I’ll get him out of that place." A dangerous, steady light burned behind his eyes.
"Don’t be rash. Keep your cool and let me watch for now. Start by watching Riya—she is deeply involved in this."
"I already know," Nathaniel snarled, anger tightening his voice, though he masked it and sipped his coffee.
"You do?" Kelvin sounded surprised.
"Yes. She bribed the waitress and contacted Jaxon."
"Good, you worked that out yourself," Kelvin teased. "I thought you were in the dark..."
"You think I’m useless?" Nathaniel muttered.
Kelvin chuckled softly. "I know you can handle it. Still, be careful. Don’t trust anyone blindly, not even your office staff or household help. If Riya was compromised, anyone could be."
Nathaniel felt the warning settle over him, and his concern for his family’s safety made him restless. "Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll watch closely. But I can’t just sit back while Jaxon stays hidden."
After a pause, Kelvin asked, "So what’s the plan?"
"His mother is his weakness," Nathaniel said. "If he believes I have her, he’ll come — that’s all I need."
Kelvin’s eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Wait...You have his mother?"