Chapter 255: The Wrong Man in Vanessa's Bed

“What’s going on?” Sienna’s brow furrowed. Why were her people so jumpy lately?

Miles blurted out, “You won’t believe who Vanessa slept with! It was Harrison—Derek’s personal assistant!” Sienna’s eyes narrowed. Harrison? Now that was interesting. She had sent the message to Derek, but he sent his assistant instead? And Vanessa wanted Lucas, but ended up with Harrison? Miles asked, “Should we leak this? Or let Derek handle it himself?” If this got out, Vanessa’s reputation would be ruined.

“No. We watch. Where’s the fun in ending her too quickly?” A cold smile touched her lips, beautiful and dangerous.

A thought struck her. She glanced toward Lucas’s room and stepped back into her own. Closing the door, she asked, “What about the task I gave you earlier?”

“I looked into the Nightfall Syndicate immediately. They’ve had a strong underground presence in Kingsport for over a century. Their profits come from assassinations, mercenary work, and similar operations. They use low-level thugs for collections and fights. Essentially, they’re task-for-hire. My findings confirm Vanessa had contact with them five years ago,” Miles reported.

Sienna’s expression darkened. Knowing it was the Blackthorns simplified things. But Miles wasn’t finished. “They have roughly ten thousand members in Kingsport. Causing them trouble is one thing, but capturing every single member is impossible. Most are rarely at their main base.” Sienna frowned. Without a full capture, a complete investigation was off the table. They didn’t even know which branch Vanessa had dealt with. Miles added, “If you want everyone, Boss, we must strike during their annual gathering. That happens at year’s end.”

The Syndicate’s annual dinner was at the end of the year. It was only June. A plan began to form in her mind.

“Understood. I’ll handle the arrangements. Stand down for now and await my orders.” She ended the call and gazed out the window, deep in thought.

She had a mission tonight. Since they’d identified the Blackthorns, she might as well pay their base a visit later.

Meanwhile…

Vanessa awoke filled with anticipation, only to find Harrison lying beside her.

“Ahhh!” A piercing scream tore from her throat. She bolted upright, clutching the sheets to her chest.

Harrison jolted awake. Taking in the scene, his eyes widened in horror. What had happened? Derek had sent him to fetch Vanessa. How did he end up in bed with her? She was his boss’s woman!

“Why are you here?!” Vanessa snarled, her voice tight with rage. “When did you get here? What did you do?!”

“Ms. Bennett, I’m sorry! I… I don’t know what happened! Mr. Prescott sent me to get you. I came into the room and then…” He trailed off, too terrified to continue.

Vanessa’s fists clenched. Was it the perfume? Had Harrison come in and been affected by its scent? She could have sworn it was Lucas! The perfume’s label mentioned hallucinations, including mistaking one person for another. Had she been under its influence, thinking he was Lucas? That meant Lucas never came. It was Harrison all along. She had slept with an assistant! Seeing the murderous look in her eyes, Harrison scrambled off the bed and dropped to his knees, begging.