THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

It came out of nowhere. And the tone James used on the phone was not the usual arrogant, boastful tone he was known for. This time, James sounded desperate. Very desperate. He said something that immediately caught Lovie off guard. He said, "I know someone is behind Cora... I know someone is giving her strength, giving her information. I need you to help me find out who it is. I'll make it worth your while, more than you can imagine."

And the way James mentioned "worth your while," Lovie couldn't help but swallow hard.

He had barely processed the words before James began listing what he was willing to offer. Money. A house. Even a permanent position in one of his new companies. It was tempting, very, very tempting. Lovi had never been offered such wealth in exchange for a single job.

But then again... that job? that one simple request?

To investigate who was standing behind Cora... who was pulling the strings behind her rise, her comeback, her confidence, her moves? that job was extremely dangerous.

Because Lovi knew that whoever was behind Cora had to be powerful silent, invisible, but extremely efficient. The kind of person who didn't make mistakes. The kind of person who knew how to cover their tracks. The kind of person who could destroy someone like James and maybe even Lovi without making a sound.

And that person was him, and now here he was, face to face with the very woman he was supposed to be helping, while hiding the truth that her own ex-husband had called him moments earlier with a completely opposite request.

He didn't know how he was going to do it, he didn't know how to navigate between two powerful people, one fueled by revenge and pain, the other by desperation and pride.

But one thing was certain, the promise James made to him… the amount, the things he would gain… it was just too much to turn down.

And now, sitting in front of Cora, Lovi didn't know how he was going to manoeuvre his way in between both of them and get the results that he wants.

At that moment, Cora then fold her arms slowly and lean forward with a stern look on her face. Her voice was low, but sharp like a blade.

"What did you find, Lovie? Say it. Speak immediately."

There was a short silence in the room.

Malisa shifted uncomfortably in her seat, already feeling the rising tension. She didn't trust Lovie, not even a little. The way he had been smiling earlier and now switching tones made her feel like he was hiding more than he was saying.

But Cora didn't blink. Her eyes were locked on Lovie, who now rested his elbows on the table and exhaled slowly. He gave a faint smirk, not out of mockery, but out of calculation. It was the kind of smirk someone makes when they know they have the upper hand.

Then he began to speak.

"Well, you know me by now, Cora… I'm not the kind of guy who just gives out information freely. You know that."

Cora's eyes narrowed. "Lovi, don't waste my time."

He chuckled lightly, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Relax, I'm not here to play games," he said. "I just need you to understand something. I've already done what you asked me to do. Everything you wanted… I did it. The files? Deleted. The backups? Gone. James won't be able to recover anything."

Cora stayed quiet, watching him.

Lovi leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. "But… what I saw—what I found in James' possession before I wiped everything… it was bigger than what you expected. Way bigger. If you think the files were the worst part, then you don't even know what's coming."

Malisa glanced at Cora, then back at Lovi.

Cora's voice was sharp again. "Then say it."

But Lovi shook his head slowly, smiling.

"No. Not yet. I can't just say it like that. Not for free."

He looked at Cora seriously now, folding his hands.

"This time, I need something. Something real. Something that will make it worth it. Something… to actually make me say what I saw and what I have."

At that moment, Cora would slowly turn her face toward Melissa, her expression tight and unreadable. She didn't even need to say a word Malisa could already sense the weight of Cora's thoughts from her eyes alone.

Then, without shifting her seat, Cora looked back at Lovie again. This time, her gaze was colder, sharper, like a dagger wrapped in velvet. Her voice came out calm, but firm. The kind of tone that made even people like Lovie straighten up without thinking.

"What game are you trying to play with me, Lovi?"

Lovi blinked, taken slightly aback by the directness. But he kept his cool.

Cora continued, her voice rising just a little, laced with irritation.

"Because honestly, I don't understand the kind of useless game you think you're playing right now. You called me here. You told me it was urgent. You had something important. Now I'm here and you want to start twisting your tongue, making it sound like you're doing me a favor?"

Malisa shifted slightly in her seat, keeping her eyes on Lovi as Cora spoke.

Cora didn't stop. She leaned forward a little now, her hands flat on the table.

"Let me make this very clear—if you think I'll fall for this little trick of yours where you dangle information in front of me and try to extort more money, then I think it's time you woke up from that dream."

Her voice sharpened with each word.

"I'm not one of your desperate clients who you can keep leading in circles. You should know me by now, Lovi. I don't play that kind of game, and I don't tolerate it either."

There was a brief silence, the room heavy with her words. Lovi tried to stay composed, but it was obvious from the flicker in his eye that her tone had struck him.

Cora then slowly sat back, crossing her arms.

"So I'm going to ask one last time…"

Her eyes locked directly onto his.

"Either you tell me what you actually saw, and what you have… or I'm going to stand up and walk away."