The Backup Doesn’t Matter


    In ine’s eyes, Eliza was finally showing fear–finally learning her ce now that ine held <b>something </b>


    over her.


    Eliza offered a faint smile. “Looks like Ms. ine already knows why I’ve been waiting.”


    “Of course,” ine replied smoothly. “After all, I’m the one holding the key piece of evidence. If that photonds in someone else’s hands, things could get… pretty serious for you, right? Who knows–maybe the Sue family won’t want a little illegitimate daughter like you after that.”


    ine had deliberately emphasized thosest three words: illegitimate daughter.


    As expected, Eliza’s expression cooled.


    She’d intended to handle things calmly, politely–but this was ine. The woman had no interest in being civil.


    So Eliza dropped the pretense as well.


    “Let’s set aside whose secret it really is you’re holding, Ms. ine. Just think for a moment–what do you think Nn’s reaction will be when he finds out what you’ve done? Do you really want him to hate you?”


    ine’s expression darkened at that. “You’re trying to threaten me with Nn? Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because Nn likes you. He wronged me first–he brought this on himself!”


    She let out a sharpugh. “Right now, I’ve got pictures of you two doing something you’d never dare show in public. Nn took that risk for you–if he’s already crossed that line, who knows what else he’s willing to do in the future?”


    Leaning back in her chair, she sneered, “For a man like that? Honestly, he’s not even worth it. That’s why I’ve decided–you both go down with me.”


    “So you’re done with Nn?” Eliza asked.


    “Not unless he apologizes, begs me to marry him, and personally deletes those photos from my phone. Otherwise, I’ll never forgive him. And when I go down, you and Nn areing with me.”


    In Westbrook, smuggling firearms was a far worse offense than illegal possession–and Nn had done just that.


    “If you heard all that…” Eliza said aloud.


    Matteo stepped out from the shadows.


    ine’s entire body stiffened at the sight of him.


    What was <i>he </i>doing here?


    Everyone in their circle knew just how dangerous Matteo was. ine couldn’t stop herself from trembling the moment she saw his face.


    “W–What do you want?”


    She tried to sound confident/but fear had already gripped her.


    Still, she clung to her identity–convinced that Matteo wouldn’t darey a hand on her.


    So she raised her chin. “Matteo, I didn’t realize you were tangled up with Eliza too. Do you know who <b>I </b><b>am</b><b>? </b>If you touch me, the Hayes family won’t let you off.”


    Matteo didn’t answer.


    He simply began walking toward her.


    ine’sposure cracked visibly.


    “Matteo! Don’te any closer!”


    At her shout, her bodyguards stepped in, forming a barrier in front of her.


    But her face had gone pale.


    Everyone knew about Matteo’s ties to Nathaniel–and that terrifying, scarred face of his was enough to make anyone go cold with fear.


    “Ms. ine,” Matteo said quietly, “give me your phone.”


    It wasn’t a question.


    It was a demand.


    ine turned white.


    “You have a choice. Hand it over, or I take it.”


    At the table, Eliza calmly sipped her coffee.


    This ce had already been sealed off by Matteo’s men. There were no cameras, no bugs–Matteo had made sure of it, even installing anti–surveince equipment.


    Matteo said nothing more.


    ine’s voice trembled as she looked up at him. “Even if you take the phone, it won’t matter. I’ve already backed everything up on myputer. You think I won’t–ah!”


    Before she could finish her sentence, Matteo moved.


    She didn’t even see his hand.


    By the time she realized what had happened, the phone was already gone.


    He checked the contents with an unreadable expression, then wiped the data in a single swift format. Without hesitation, he dismantled the device, removed the memory chip and processor, and poured acid from a small vial in his pocket onto theponents–dissolving thempletely.


    ine could only stare in horror as her phone was destroyed before her eyes.


    Then Matteo said calmly, “Ms. ine, I’ll trouble you to take me to your home.”


    Her face wentpletely bloodless. “What are you talking about? Why would I take you to my house?”


    “Bring her.” Matteo ordered.


    At once, the surrounding bodyguards stepped forward and closed in.