After she finished cleaning out all five targets. Cassie went with Jessica to meet up with Alta one last time before heading back.
Once everyone left the room, Cassie sat across from Alta, smiling deeply, showing her dimples. After going through some pleasantries, the two talked quietly.
“I must admit, I didn’t think it would be so easy. It isn’t that I am looking down on non-graded beings. Unfortunately, it is just too easy to use methods using mana to cheat, especially when things aren’t going your way.”
Cassie’s smile didn’t falter, “That is why I had you leak news. Since I am who I am, alongside a non-graded being. Combine that with my Grade E guards, it fills idiots with false bravado. Intelligent people would understand that there is someone they can’t see, or I have other means to protect myself.”
Looking down a bit, “It is far too common that a person dies for stupid things, easily overlooking the obvious. Since news was leaked about the investigation, I came and started winning. Before anyone could lose patience, I won back the amounts they failed to pay. These people weren’t idiots to begin with, they wouldn’t have made it as far if they had.”
Alta had a complicated expression on her face, “Did you notice anything about that?”
Cassie suppressed her smile, she had come for more than just this. Yet, her pride and a little bit of fear for the rumor being true, she dared not say it. Almost as if she said it, that would make it true.
Touching her chin, “I originally believed the one, and the most troublesome person, would be Charlton Griffin. Only he didn’t give me any trouble. He was so willing to win back his money, he allowed me to take everything he owed. To push him a bit further, I took everything he had.”
Seeing her stop, Alta couldn’t help but ask, “And? Did he show any signs or show any hints?”
Shaking her head, “No, he was very furious. This led me to believe he would try something later. Then a thought appeared in my head. What if he was the idiot he appeared to be, only with someone behind him.”
Pausing for a moment, she didn’t hide her thoughts, “I originally believed he had someone behind him, allowing him to be the way he was. I believed this was because he had someone outside the tribe. Only for an instant, the thought that maybe he was just a pawn. After meeting him, this became more thought-provoking.”
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Alta thought differently, “He appears too obvious to be the one. The possibility he was using this as cover also played through my head. Who do you think is behind him?”
“Paloma Walker.”
Showing a look of uncertainty, Alta questioned, “Reason?”
“She was the hardest to get to, like she was purposely avoiding me. As the person running the casino, she never touched anything related to gambling. It is clear it was only a means to make money. She was also the person that stole the least. To the point, it appears almost stupid to steal from the tribe.”
“It wasn’t as if she didn’t skim a lot. She was doing it long term, so a large amount would be suspicious.” Seeing her not saying anything else, Alta paused for a moment before asking with a bit of worry, “Do you need additional security?”
“No, if I take additional security. Then, if there really is truth to the rumor, it would be obvious. They will instead hide. There is no way a high graded being will be able to leave the tribe. It will point obviously to them. This was again a reason I only brought along Grade E security.”
Letting out a sigh, “I bet your mother left you some items too, didn’t she? Otherwise, you wouldn’t allow yourself to walk around so unguarded during all this.”
Cassie just smiled mysteriously, without confirming or denying her statement. Alta could feel her keeping her at a distance. Clearly not trusting her at all. Not being offended, that was the way people from Mercury City were. Even the non-graded beings.
They chatted a bit more. Mostly about things to keep up a good relationship between the two powers. Necessities that were a part of both their job descriptions. This continued for a while before Cassie finally stood up.
“It is time, I should be off. We can’t have people believing there is more to this than there is.”
Alta couldn’t help but ask, “Isn’t that counterproductive after allowing them to know we were investigating them?”
Cassie flashed her trademark smile walking out, “Tax evasion isn’t a serious enough crime, for the powerful and useful people of the tribe. This is this, while that is that.”
Waving her hand, she walked out to meet up with Jessica waiting outside. She was not part of the tribe, nor was she someone that would poke her nose into her business. Thus allowing Cassie to meet with Alta without Jessica showing any signs, where Saleh could start to suspect something. She was not sure if he would be able to keep that information to himself without showing anything.
The servants returned to the room and stood silently to the side. Soon another figured appeared, “Was that her?”
Nodding her head, “Yeah.”
Having her face scanned, she could only give her grandfather an inquisitive face. Seeing this, he spoke once more, “What did you think of her?”
A strange but dashing smile appeared on her face, “Things are going to get very interesting soon.”
A smile came upon his face, “Oh, do you think so?”
“No, well, I don’t know. If she is correct, then things will only get more interesting. For us, it is a rather troublesome matter. However, for a non-graded being to expect a storm. She seems to like living dangerously.”
Waving out the servants, the two talked for a considerable amount of time. Alta reported everything about her meeting and dealings with Cassie Mercury.