Chapter 188: Foiled Plans
The last gangster standing—or rather sitting now—on the floor of the elevator, whom Athena didn’t bother to get
the nof, gazed in admiration at his captors, marveling at their speed and expertise as he recalled again the
gun battle that had unfolded between them in mere seconds.
The air was still heavy with the scent of gunpowder, mixing with the sharp tang of fear that gripped him. Then,
he glanced at his fellow gang members, sprawled lifelessly in a pool of their own blood, their eyes open and
staring vacantly into the void.
He would close their eyes, but he feared that any movement from him might warrant a gunshot. So, he remained
sitting, nerves racking his fras the elevator continued its ascent, the numbers flickering by in a relentless
countdown.
Would they keep their word and let him go? That kind of mercy was unheard of in his circles, and the fear
tightened its grip around his chest like a vice. He didn’t want to die.
Just then, the elevator dinged, the sound echoing ominously in the small space, and the man, overwhelmed with
anxiety, urinated on his pants.
The warmth spread, mingling with the cold sweat of panic. Athena tweaked her nostrils and glared at him with a
mix of disgust and annoyance.
"You know what, just stay here. You will follow the elevator down," She said, covering her nose, mirroring Aiden’s
actions.
The two of them stepped out into their lobby, their senses, should the remaining gangster decide on revenge.
"Thank you!" They heard the gangster call out just before the elevator doors closed, sealing him off from their
sight.
"What are we going to do about the mess in the elevator? It's possible that the guy will run once the door dings
open..." Athena asked, as they moved into their VIP suite, which boasted three lavish bedrooms, each more
extravagant than the last.
"That's if the hotel security doesn’t catch him first," Aiden murmured, removing his coat and tossing it onto a
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plush chair. He felt a sense of relief wash over him as he shed the tension of the moment.
Athena sighed, running a hand through her hair, tiredness etched across her features.
"I hope he runs away first. | don’t have the strength for questioning and answers from the police."
Just then, Aiden’s phone started ringing, shattering the silence of the suite. He glanced at the screen and
shrugged his shoulders at Athena, who was now removing her coat.
"I guess your wish isn’t riding this taround," He said as he answered the phone, noting the nflashing on
the screen. It was his manager friend.
"Hello, Sunny, what's happening..." He began in a jovial tone, after hearing his friend's gruff "hello’
"What's happening? Aiden, my security detail caught a man with blood-soaked hands running out of elevator
seven! And when they caught him and retraced their steps, they discovered four dead bodies in the elevator. |
thought you weren't working, Aiden... at least that’s what you told me."
"It just happened. They were assassins. It was an impromptu incident," Aiden replied, putting the phone on
loudspeaker.
"So, why didn’t you do away with the fifth? You left him forto handle?" Sunny pressed incredulously.
"We promised to let him go." Aiden darted an amused glance at Athena as she raised an eyebrow, her interest
piqued.
Sunny chuckled in disbelief. "You gotta be kidding me. I'm handing him over to the police. No way am I inviting
interrogations to my staff and all, and | am sure you don’t want that for yourself..."
"No, | don’t. Thank you, Sunny. | owe you one."
"That's a wrong calculation, Aiden. You oweten."
Before Aiden could ask what the latter was talking about, the manager hung up, leaving Aiden staring at the
phone in disbelief.
"So, | take it that he is not going free?" Athena asked, settling on a sofa.
Aiden shook his head, plopping into one of the comfortable seats too. "So, what are we going to do about Bolin?"
Athena sighed, leaning back as she contemplated their next move. "No matter what, he is Master Shen's son. |
just can’t take revenge or something. This is his first strike, so | will pardon his stupidity, but | won't be lenient
the second time. As a matter of fact..."
She brought out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she scrolled to Bolin’s contact. In moments,
she dispatched a message, a direct line to the man who'd underestimated her.
"I got your message, Bo. This is your first strike, so | will pardon you. But if you dare the nonsense again, | will
make sure you join your father in his grave. I'm sure your other siblings will have better use of your inheritance."
"There, done," Athena stated, dropping her phone onto the space next to her with a soft thud. "Let's see his next
step."
"I hope he takes the hint, though. | don’t want his blood on my hands," Aiden remarked, his voice serious.
Athena nodded. "Word."
However, their conversation was interrupted as her phone buzzed once more. Thinking it was Bolin, she squinted
at the screen until she saw Sandro’s nflashing across.
"Hello, Sandro..." She answered, causing Aiden to pique his right eyebrow in curiosity.
"He is awake now? Can he talk and walk?"
Aiden gestured that Athena should put the call on loudspeaker. She complied immediately.
"...he might be around for the shareholder's meeting tomorrow," Sandro’s voice cthrough, his tone infused
with relief and gratitude.
Tomorrow? Aiden and Athena exchanged knowing glances, urgency overtaking them. They had to devise a new
plan and return to their city now.
"I will see you tomorrow then, Athena. Thank you for your help. | really appreciate it."
"You're welcome, Sandro," Athena replied, right before the call ended abruptly.
"We have to go," She stated, pushing herself to her feet with determination. "I am sure Old Mr. Thorne has some
things to share withconcerning the meeting tomorrow. | missed two calls from him when we were back at the
headquarters."
Meanwhile, in the Shen's residence, Bolin was fuming, having just received Athena's message a few minutes
ago.
The text carried an unmistakable air of superiority; it was clear she had done away with the men he had sent to
kill her so that her inheritance would fall to him.
"What the hell?" He hollered, throwing his phone in a fit of rage. It struck the wall and shattered into pieces.
"What is the problem, Bo?" His sister's voice cut through his anger.
Hearing her call him "Bo" reminded him of the nicknAthena had used for him, and he shot her a hot glare.
The first daughter of late Master Shen shrank under his searing gaze, looking away in swift submission.
"What's the problem, Bolin?"
"She escaped the attacks. Senta warning message to watch my back." He answered, frustration lacing his
voice as he spoke to his brother, who sneered in anger.
"Threatening us, is she? We will have to deal with her properly then," The brother said, a dark smirk forming on
his lips.
"But how?" Bolin asked, anxiety creeping into his voice as he began tapping frantically on his thighs, seeking a
solution.
His brother smiled cunningly. "What other way than the twins?"
"lI am not in for that," The first daughter protested immediately, rising to her feet. "The twins are innocent in all
of this!"
"You are really stupid. No wonder Hua wouldn't listen to you at all. Get out of here! And if you spit a word of this
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