James pov (a few weeks earlier)
I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of our mansion, I couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. As the first son of the Smiths, I had always known that I would be expected to take over the family business one day.
My parents had always been clear about their expectations: I was to excel in school, build a successful career, and eventually take the reins of the family empire.
I had always tried to live up to those expectations, pouring myself into my studies and working tirelessly to prove myself. But sometimes, like now, I couldn't help but feel suffocated by the pressure.
I paced up and down, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. I began to go over the files my mother had given me, trying to make sense of the Richardson family's plans.
While gazing out at the city skyline to distract myself a little, My mother, entered the room, a calculating glint in her eye.
"Son, I have a task for you," she said, her voice dripping with sophistication.
I turned to face her, intrigued. "What is it, Mother?"
"We've discovered that the Richardson family is making a move to acquire a valuable business asset," she said, her eyes narrowing. "I want you to find out more about their plans and sabotage their efforts if necessary."
I raised an eyebrow. "And how do you propose I do that?"
Mrs. Smith smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "I've already taken care of that. You'll be working with...a new associate. Let's call her that."
I felt a spark of curiosity. "Who is it? Does she have any connections with the Richardson?"
Mrs. Smith's smile grew wider. "You'll meet her soon enough. Just remember, James, this is a high-stakes game. We can't afford to lose."
Days went by but my mind kept wandering back to the mysterious "associate" my mother had mentioned. Who was this person, and what was their connection to the Richardsons?
I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. I had a job to do, and I was determined to see it through.
One evening my phone buzzed and my assistant told me that my mother had explicitly asked that I come home for dinner that day. She does it from time to time and it was no surprise so I packed up and headed home.
I walked into the dining room, greeted by the familiar sight of our family's evening dinner. My father was not yet at the table, it was just my mom and Aria. My mother, Mrs. Smith, smiled at me from across the table.
"James, dear, I'm glad you're home. We have a guest joining us tonight," she said, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Who is it?" I asked before sitting down
My mother's smiled. "Just wait and see. But first, I need to speak with you about something. After dinner, I'll come to your room. We need to discuss...the associate I've been telling you about."
I felt a surge of curiosity. Who was this associate, and what did my mother have planned?
As we sat down to eat, Mrs. Jenkins, our housekeeper, introduced a young woman named Lyra. She was our new maid, and she looked nervous but determined.
I watched Lyra with interest, wondering if she was the associate my mother had mentioned or I was just overthinking things.
After dinner, I retired to my room, waiting for my mother to arrive. When she did, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it.
"Son, Lyra is the one I've been telling you about," she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. "But we need to put her to the test, to make sure she's capable of doing what we need her to do."
I was perplexed. "What? How is she the associate you were talking about? She's just a freaking maid, Mom"
"Look son, what's important is her doing a good job and I'm sure she will.Trust me" My mother said.
I raised an eyebrow"So What do you have in mind?"
My mother smiled. "I want you to give her a task. A package needs to be picked up from the docks. It's...sensitive material. If she can retrieve it without any issues, then we'll know she's the right person for the job."
I nodded, understanding. "And if she fails?"
My mother's smile grew colder. "Then we'll have to reevaluate our plans."
I watched Lyra from afar, observing as she efficiently completed her tasks. She seemed capable and focused, and I found myself wondering if she would be able to handle the task I was about to assign her.
As I approached her, she looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Can I help you, sir?" she asked, her tone polite but guarded. I told her what I needed her to do and she needed to be discrete about it. She assured me she would handle it.
I handed her a small note with the details and watched as she tucked it into her apron pocket.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, but I found myself checking my watch repeatedly, waiting for Lyra to return with the package.
When she finally appeared, package in hand, I felt a surge of satisfaction. She had done well tho my mother put up a little show.
I sought out my mother, eager to discuss the next steps. But to my surprise, she was evasive, her expression distant.
"What's next?" I asked, feeling a sense of impatience.
My mother's gaze snapped back to mine, her eyes glinting with a calculating intensity. "For now, son. I need you to lay low. Let me reevaluate our plan, make sure everything is perfect before we make our move."
I frowned, feeling a sense of frustration. But I knew better than to argue with my mother. She always got what she wanted, no matter the cost.
I noticed and watched as my younger brother, Anderson became to friendly with lyra upon his return from his studies abroad. He was too friendly, too casual but I didn't want to pry.
I felt a surge of unease. Had my mother told Anderson about our plan? About Lyra being a pawn in our game?
I decided to confront my mother, finding her in her favorite sitting room.
"Mother, can I have a word with you?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
She looked up from her book, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Of course, James. What is it?"
"I couldn't help but notice how friendly Anderson is being with Lyra," I said, watching her reaction closely.
My mother's expression didn't change, but I detected a flicker of irritation in her eyes.
"Anderson has no idea about our plans, James," she said, her voice firm. "And his closeness to Lyra is...beginning to irritate me."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Why?"
My mother's gaze narrowed. "Because it's a distraction, James. We can't afford to have Anderson getting too close to Lyra, not when we're still testing her loyalty."
I nodded, understanding. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to my mother's concern than she was letting on
"I think we should let Anderson in on our plan," I said, trying to gauge my mother's reaction.
She raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Why would we do that, Son?"
"Because he's already getting close to Lyra," I pointed out. "If we don't bring him in, he might inadvertently ruin our plans."
My mother's expression turned cold. "Your brother is too soft. He wouldn't agree with our methods, and even if he did, he wouldn't have the stomach to see it through."
I frowned, knowing that my mother was right. Anderson had always been the more empathetic of the two of us, and I could imagine him being horrified by our plan.
"But what if he finds out anyway?" I asked, trying to think ahead.
My mother's smile was icy. "Then we'll deal with it. But for now, let's keep him in the dark. It's safer that way."
I nodded, knowing that my mother's word was final. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that keeping Anderson in the dark was a recipe for disaster.
Weeks passed, and I had almost forgotten about the plan and package Lyra had retrieved. But then, one evening, my mother summoned me to her study.
"Son, it's time to put our plan into action," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
I leaned forward, intrigued. "What's the plan, Mother?"
"We're going to use Lyra to our advantage," she began. "She's going to infiltrate the Richardson family's inner circle and retrieve a recording that will implicate them in a major embezzlement scheme."
I raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan to make that happen?"
My mother smiled. "Lyra will pose as a new personal assistant to the Richardson family's CEO but first she'll pose as a woman in distress. You know men love to be the knight in shining armour. She'll gain their trust and gather evidence of their wrongdoings."
I nodded, impressed. "And what about the package she retrieved earlier?"
My mother's smile grew wider. "That package contains a cryptic message and documents that will make more sense once Lyra retrieves the recording. Together, they'll provide concrete evidence of the Richardson family's guilt."
But then, my mother's expression turned sinister. "There's one more thing, James. Lyra doesn't know this, but...she's not just retrieving evidence. She's also going to plant a bug in the Richardson family's system, one that will give us access to their most sensitive information."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "And what's the endgame, Mother?"
My mother's eyes glinted with ambition. "The endgame, Son, is to bring the Richardson family to their knees. And with Lyra's help, we're going to do just that." It was obvious my mother hasn't let go of the feud between her and the Richardson family. Tho it's to our advantage and I'll prefer to see it as business cuz it will expand our own empire but why Lyra of all people? Why did mother choose her? I'm sure I'll get my answers soon enough but that will be later.
I watched as my mother led Lyra into the study, a determined look on her face.
"Lyra, we need to discuss something with you," my mother said, her voice firm but calculated.
Lyra looked confused, but she nodded. "Of course, ma'am."
My mother smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "We've been watching you, Lyra. I know all about the package you retrieved for James here a few weeks ago and just a little hint, it was a test which you passed."
Lyra's eyes widened in surprise. " I was just following orders." She replied calmly
My mother chuckled. "Oh, and you did really good. You see, Lyra, you're now a part of something much bigger than yourself. And we need your help."
Lyra looked stunned, unsure of what to say.
My mother continued, her voice dripping with malice. "We need you to pose as a damsel in distress at the charity gala tomorrow night. The CEO of the Richardson family, Reginald Richardson, will be attending, and we want you to 'accidentally' bump into him, spill a drink on him, and then play the role of the helpless, apologetic woman. Along the line we'll still tell you things you need to do"
Lyra's face paled, and she took a step back, her hands clinched together "I don't understand what's going on. Why are you asking me to do this?"
My mother's expression turned icy. "You'll do exactly as I say, Lyra. And you'll keep this to yourself. No one is to know, not any of your friends not even your mother or Anderson. I can't help but notice him being friendly to you."
Lyra was stunned for a minute and then looked like she was about to refuse, but then my mother dropped the bombshell.
"If you don't do this, Lyra, I'll make sure your mother's treatment at the hospital is...delayed. You know how expensive medical care can be, don't you?"
Lyra's eyes flashed with anger and fear but she lowered her head "please ma'am spare my mother" she pleaded and then fell silent for some minutes. My mother said nothing to her but kept staring at her well manicured nails nonchalantly and not acknowledging what Lyra had just said.
"Lyra make the right decision" I said calmly because I knew she was going through her options. She looked up at me with her eyes building up tears and they were pleading but there was nothing I could do to help. She lowered her head again and then nodded "I will do as you asked" and a defeated smile curved on her face.
My mother smiled back, a triumphant glint in her eye. "Good. I knew I could count on you, Lyra. And if you succeed, I'll make sure you're rewarded handsomely."