Paige stood straight as a board, tension lining his shoulders. "Reporting boss!"
Quincy barely turned his head. "Yes, Paige?"
"Logan escaped."
The words hit like a slap. Quincy's face hardened, and he leaned forward slowly. "What? He did?"
"Yes, boss."
He shot to his feet. "Then what the hell are you doing here? Go and look for him!"
A loud bang echoed through the room as he slammed his hand on the table, causing a cup to tip over and roll to the floor. His jaw clenched with fury.
"I already sent out some men and informed all our networks around," he said quickly. "They will report back once he appears."
He paced in sharp strides, frustration spilling off him in waves. "Damnit! Logan being on the run won't do me any good. He is one consistent fellow."
"We can add more security for you, boss."
He shook his head with a bitter scoff. "He won't come after me! He can't go after Harper either because she's a courtesan. But Angel—he will never leave her alone."
"What should we do now?"
"Move her back into the courtesan house when she's awake and give her more guards."
Paige hesitated. "But boss! She's no longer a courtesan. She can't go into the courtesan house."
Quincy turned to him slowly, fury darkening his eyes. "Should I leave her out there to die and then Harper starts crying on me?"
"But it's against the rules—"
"What rules? I am the rules! Do what the fuck I said and transfer her back to the courtesan house."
"Immediately, boss!" Paige spun and dashed out, not daring to linger another second.
Warm sunlight spilled across Angel's face. She stirred slowly, grimacing as she raised a shaky hand to block the brightness. Her eyelids fluttered open. She blinked around at the lavish room.
A sharp gasp escaped her lips. "How did I get back in here?"
A gentle voice replied, almost in disbelief. "Angel! You are awake."
She turned toward it. "Celine? When did you get here?"
"Quincy's men met me at Logan mansion and brought me back here."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Why are we here and not at the hospital?"
"Logan escaped from Quincy's men, so he told them to bring you back here to protect you."
Angel sat up straighter, her heart quickening as she looked around the familiar space. "Isn't that against the rules? I was even brought back to the noble hall."
"It's against the rules, but he is the owner after all. He can bend the rules if he wants to."
Her voice shook slightly. "Where is Harper? How is she?"
"Harper? You mean Blue?"
"Yes!"
A sad look flickered over Celine's face. "Ohh I saw her watching over you when I was brought here. She looks so sick and sad."
"She was here?"
"Sure! She was even crying while watching you sleep. You would think her family member died or something. Angel, do you think she feels guilty sending you out of the courtesan house?"
"Why would she feel guilty? She did nothing wrong. I was the one that was tormenting her—it's only right that she ousted me."
"Really? Why do you side with Blue today? You have always hated her so much."
A flicker of remorse crossed her features. "Did I hate her that much?"
"Sure! You hated everything she did right since when you saw her here. You even made her an escort just to keep her under wraps because you said she looks tough and has the potential. She would overshadow you if she became a courtesan. That's why you concealed her identity as a woman. You only made her gender known so you could turn her and Quincy against each other."
Angel's mouth fell open in horror. Her hand slowly covered her lips. "Oh my God…"
"You knew the guards and the escorts of each courtesan like to fight for their courtesan, and you always went looking for their trouble so they could beat Blue up. She always escaped your scheming because she could fight well. Angel, I always wondered why you thought Blue was such a threat. Then I realized it—after she became a courtesan. She was really outstanding. I never knew there was someone who could get rid of you that easily."
A tear slid down Angel's cheek as her breath hitched. "I really made things hard for Harper. How could I be so cruel to my own flesh and blood?"
Celine stared. "Your flesh and blood? Are you related to her?"
The silence stretched for a moment before realization slammed into her. Her eyes widened. "Don't tell me—she's your sister?"
"She is, Celine. She is my sister that I have been looking for."
"Oh my God… You really made life difficult for her. I can't believe that."
"I really messed up the whole thing. I was ruining my whole life without knowing!" Her voice cracked as she lowered her face into her palms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Suddenly, the door banged open—loud and abrupt.
Angel flinched violently, her body jolting as fear gripped her spine.
The loud crash of the door slamming open hadn't even finished echoing when heavy boots pounded against the polished marble floor. Several guards stormed into the room in tight formation, their eyes cold and unreadable. Angel's breath caught in her throat. She instinctively stood up, her muscles tight with panic, the pain in her side forgotten.
"What's going on—?"
Before she could finish, a tall figure followed the guards inside. Fransisca. Her presence was as commanding as ever. She stepped forward with her arms folded tightly over her chest, her expression unreadable—but her eyes were sharp with judgment.
Fransisca's heels clicked sharply on the floor as she approached, stopping just a few feet from Angel. She looked her up and down with a disgusted scoff, then turned to the guards.
"Seize her!"
"Yes, madam!" they echoed in unison.
Two guards immediately grabbed Angel by both arms. She struggled against their grip, wincing as her body flared with pain.
"Wait! What's happening? Let go of me!" she cried, her voice rising with confusion and fear.
"Madam, why are you taking her?" Celine asked, stepping forward, her eyes wide with concern. Her fingers trembled slightly at her sides.
Fransisca paused at the door, turning her head slowly. Her eyes landed on Celine, sharp and cold.
"None of your business," she snapped, her tone as frigid as her expression.
Without another word, she spun around and marched out. The guards dragged Angel along as she called out in vain, her voice echoing down the hallway. The doors slammed shut once more, leaving Celine stunned, her heart thudding in the silence.