Luisa felt her stomach churn, covering her mouth as though she was going to puke. "How much more despicable can that woman be? She's a woman herself. How could she get involved in something so horrific against other women?"

Thalassa's expression remained impassive. After all the things she knew Linda was capable of, this was just another one to add to the list.

"Do you have any evidence to back up these claims?" she asked.

Mr. Frey offered a regretful smile. "Yes, there is. Unfortunately, I don't have it with me. But I have reliable information that all the evidence is hidden by Linda Miller herself. I believe she keeps it in a place no one would suspect. And I bet that place is none other than her own home."

Luisa frowned in disbelief and confusion. "Why would she keep incriminating evidence against herself instead of destroying it?"

"To protect herself," Mr. Frey explained. "When she met James Miller, she realized she could have the wealth she craved without resorting to illegal dealings anymore. She wanted out. In case you didn't know, the only way to leave the underworld is by death. But Linda is a smart woman."

The PI smiled slightly, almost in admiration. "Over the years, she gathered a lot of dirt on the people connected to the underworld. Even though the evidence incriminates her too, if ever revealed to the public, a lot of powerful men will be going down as well. That's what she used to blackmail her way out of the underworld. She continues keeping those evidence because in case she gets into serious legal trouble, she can use it to blackmail her way out. If we can get our hands on even half of the evidence, that will be the end of Linda Miller as well as other powerful people. The question is, how?"

"I'll handle it," Thalassa declared suddenly, her voice calm but resolute. "Thank you for the valuable information, Mr. Frey. I'll pay you double for this one."

Mr. Frey grinned. "Thank you, Miss Thompson. I'll make sure to bring you any further updates."

After Mr. Frey had left, Luisa moved to stand in front of Thalassa's desk, her brows furrowed in confusion. "What did you mean you'll take care of it, Lassa? Do you know where Linda's keeping the evidence?" Her eyes narrowed, "What exactly are you planning?" A sly smile played on Thalassa's lips, but before she could answer, her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she immediately picked it up.noveldrama

"Betty, is everything alright? How's Al-"

Luisa watched in concern as Thalassa shot to her feet, her expression shifting from curiosity to alarm, and then to full-blown panic.

"Thank you for calling me, Betty. I'll be there in a few hours."

Hanging up the phone, Thalassa frantically grabbed her purse, prompting Luisa to ask worriedly, "What's going on, Lassa? What did Betty say?"

Thalassa exhaled sharply. "Something's happened, Luisa. I have to go to New York immediately."

"Mr. Miller, your ex-wife went to the airport this afternoon. She left the city in her private jet," the man Kris had assigned to watch over Thalassa reported over the phone.

Kris's heart skipped a beat. "The airport? What do you mean she's gone? Did she take luggage along?"

"I'm not sure, sir. She did go back to her house before heading to the airport, so she may have picked up her luggage then."

"So this happened in the afternoon, and you're just telling me now?" Kris hissed.

"Sorry, sir. You only told me to inform you if I sensed or saw her in any danger."

"You're a fucking idiot."

Kris hung up, gripping his phone tightly as his mind raced. Why had Thalassa left? Was her sole purpose in returning to destroy his mother's company, and now that she'd accomplished it, she was leaving for good? Would she ever come back? He needed answers before the uncertainty drove him insane.

A few minutes later, Kris was in his car, driving toward Luisa and Thalassa's house. He was driving with his good arm even though his good arm was no longer in a sling.

Thankfully, Thalassa hadn't blacklisted him from the house like she had from her office, so security let him in without any trouble.

On the porch, he rang the bell. A few seconds later, Luisa opened the door, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"Kris? What are you doing here?" Her eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you came to pick Thalassa up for the movie. You didn't actually think she'd go with you, did you?"

Kris wasn't delusional enough to believe Thalassa would accept his invitation. He'd sent the tickets purely to get a reaction from her. But now, it gave him a valid reason to ask Luisa about Thalassa's sudden departure to New York

"Call me a hopeless optimist, but a man can try his luck, can't he?" he said, forcing a smile. "So, is Thalassa home? Maybe I can still try to convince her."

Luisa shook her head. "No, she's not here. She went back to New York."

Kris's heart lurched, but he kept his voice casual. "Oh? Any particular reason?"

'Please tell me it's temporary, and she's planning to come back,' he thought anxiously.

Instead of answering, Luisa looked at his arm and observed. "You're not wearing your sling anymore."

Kris frowned, realising that she was trying to change the subject.

"The doctor cleared me. Said my shoulder could do without the sling, but I still need to be careful," he answered. " Luisa, you didn't answer my question. Why did Thalassa go to New York? Is something wrong?"

He didn't miss how Luisa tensed, her smile faltering. "Uh... no, no. She just... had some business to take care of at the New York branch of TT Fashion. She'll be back soon enough.'

“I

"I see." Kris said slowly, observing how she couldn't even look him in the face as she spoke.

As relieved as he was that Thalassa would be coming back, he couldn't help but feel that there was something else. Something Luisa wasn't telling him.

His mind flashed back to the phone call he'd overheard-Thalassa telling someone named Alex that she was going to see him soon. Was that what this trip was really about?

"Are you sure she only went to handle business?" Kris pressed.

"That's what I said, isn't it?" Luisa shot back, her voice tense.

"Alright, then. Thanks, Luisa. See you."

Luisa nodded curtly before closing the door. Kris headed back to his car, his mind still buzzing with doubt. Once inside, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Get the jet ready. I'm going to New York."