I frowned, tilting my head. "Lopez… I've heard of them, but who exactly was Ryan Lopez?"
Jason's lips curved into a humorless smirk, his eyes darkening with something close to disdain. "Ryan was someone who decided he didn't want to touch grass," he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
I raised an eyebrow, trying to make sense of that. "Huh? What does that even mean?"
Vincent chimed in, leaning against the wall with a knowing look. "Means he was too busy building an empire from behind his computer screen to bother with reality. Medical tech, pharmaceuticals, investments—if it could make him a profit, he was there, usually in the most underhanded way possible."
Jason nodded, the edge in his voice hardening. "The Lopez family controls a huge chunk of the healthcare industry. Ryan took that influence and pushed it further—some would say far beyond where it should've gone."
"So, he was… ruthless?" I asked, trying to put the pieces together.
Jason's gaze turned cold, his jaw tightening as he stared at the floor, almost as if he were reliving some unpleasant memory. "That's one word for it. He made deals that ruined lives, all under the guise of 'innovation.' But his empire was built on secrets, and sometimes those secrets catch up."
My eyes widened as I took that in. "You knew him?"
Jason's expression darkened, his hand clenching briefly before he seemed to shake it off. "Our paths crossed. He was a friend once. But he chose his path, and I chose mine."
Vincent cleared his throat, the tension in the room growing heavier. "The details of his death haven't been released yet. But given his reputation, it's safe to say… it wasn't natural causes." He glanced at Jason meaningfully.
I glanced between the two of them, trying to wrap my mind around it. "So… this could be foul play?"
Jason met my eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "No, darling, this is just karma."
He winked, clearly relishing the mystery he'd left hanging. The look in his eyes was unreadable, making it impossible to tell if he was simply being evasive or if he knew something he wasn't about to share. Before I could push him for more details, his expression shifted as his phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with a call.
Jason frowned, checking the number before he answered. "Cole here." His voice dropped, his usual carefree tone replaced by something sharper, more businesslike. He turned away, his free hand stuffed into his pocket as he listened.
Vincent glanced at me, offering a subtle shrug.
It was clear that whatever was happening was serious, and Jason's response had him just as curious. I opened my mouth to ask Vincent what he knew, but Jason's sudden, clipped tone cut through the room.
"No, that's not acceptable," he said, his voice low, his posture rigid. "I don't care if it takes the whole night. Make sure it's handled."
He ended the call, his jaw set in frustration. His gaze flicked over to Vincent, who raised an eyebrow, as if to silently ask if he needed to step out.
"Vincent, we need a response team on standby," Jason said, his tone a quiet command. "Things are going to get… complicated."
Vincent straightened, his professional demeanor snapping back into place. "Understood, sir. I'll make the arrangements."
Before Vincent stepped out, Jason's gaze returned to me, his expression softening just a bit. "You stay out of trouble while I'm gone," he said, a hint of playfulness back in his voice, though his eyes held a shadow of something else.
I smirked, crossing my arms. "Trouble? Me? Never."
He chuckled, the tension from the call lingering in his eyes. "I'll hold you to that," he murmured before heading for the door, his focus shifting to whatever lay beyond this hospital room.
I watched as the door closed, my eyebrows dipping into a frown.
Who exactly are you Jason Cole?
***
Jason's smile dropped the moment he stepped out of the hospital room, his carefree expression replaced with a hardened focus.
The focus of a man who run a multi million business.
He rolled his shoulder, casting a quick glance down at the cast on his arm before unceremoniously slipping it off and handing it to Vincent.
Vincent's eyes widened in surprise. "Uh… sir, your hand—"
Jason cut him off, his voice steady and unbothered. "I can manage," he said briskly. "I need full use of my arm right now. My father called." He cast a glance over his shoulder as if considering the weight of what lay ahead. "There's no room for weakness tonight."
Vincent sighed, glancing at the discarded cast he held in his hands as if it were evidence of Jason's stubbornness. "I'll get a medical team ready for the hand," he muttered under his breath before adjusting his tone. "So, what do you need from me?"
"Handle the team," Jason replied, his gaze narrowing. "And get Anna—or Joselle if you can't reach her—on the line. I'm heading to the Lincoln estate."
Vincent's brow furrowed, concern flashing across his face. "The Lincoln estate? This isn't about… Ryan, is it?"
Jason's jaw tightened, but he didn't elaborate. "The details aren't important right now. Just get them on the line. I need everything in place before I arrive."
Vincent hesitated, clearly wanting to say something more, but he nodded and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts as they walked briskly toward the parking lot. The crisp evening air hit them as they stepped outside, Jason's gaze steely as he scanned the rows of cars.
By the time they reached Jason's black sedan, Vincent held out the phone, "Anne's on the line."
Jason took the phone, nodding his thanks as he leaned against the car, his voice dropping into a commanding tone. "Anne, listen carefully."
There was a brief silence on the other end, then Anne's voice replied, calm and professional. "Yes, Mr. Cole."
"I'm heading to the Lincoln estate. I need full access to their security feeds from tonight onward. Make sure there are no interruptions and that nothing, and I mean nothing, gets deleted or tampered with. Can you handle it?"
"Yes, sir. I'll have it arranged immediately," Anne replied, her efficiency a sharp contrast to the tension tightening around Jason.
Jason continued, "And one more thing—secure any communication records between the Lopez and Lincoln families from the past three months. Focus on encrypted channels. I want a full report by midnight. Then Vincent would send you a club name and an access which I need you to check as well."
A pause, then Anne's voice softened slightly. "Understood, Mr. Cole. Anything else?"
Jason's gaze flicked to Vincent, who was leaning against the car, his face carefully blank. Jason's jaw tightened. "No. That'll be all. Just make sure I don't find any gaps in the information."
He handed the phone back to Vincent, who pocketed it with a nod. "The estate isn't far, sir. Should I drive?"
Jason pushed himself away from the car, shaking his head. "No, I need you here coordinating things. Keep me updated if any… complications arise."
Vincent's brow furrowed, but he nodded, his gaze steady. "Understood, sir."