The following days were too busy for Sena to the point that she barely remembered the incident with her brand new neighbour. 

Aside from work, grandpa Ye’s seafood express from Australia effectively converted her attention from embarrassment to appetite.

Inside the Diamond Realtor’s HQ her undivided attention was focused on work. Big brother Leo called her this morning from Seychelles saying he did not know they had such a schedule. Off from the Maldives, they were pulled to another island for sightseeing, then they will fly to Switzerland to stay in a little village for another week. Last stop will be going further north to see the beautiful auroras before finally returning. 

She laughed so hard when she detected the surprise and helplessness in his voice. 

Who knew her three grandfathers would make such a long itinerary for the two?  

Sena smiled with a hint of smugness. The farther they are from the parasites the better since everything is progressing faster than last time. 

Speaking of parasites she heard Sophie wasn’t doing very well recently. 

She will never forget how they enticed her into throwing her money into gambling and alcohol. As if those weren’t enough, they got her addicted to drugs until they brought her to that underground club. 

And as if all the ghosts and demons on earth were against her, the police raid surprisingly coincided on the first time she went there. No matter what she said, in the eyes of the public, she was already one of the users.

The company also faced tremendous attacks from all sides, there were tax evasion cases for one, on the back clients are pulling out one after another, Leo and Linda’s suspected extra-marital affair blown out of proportion, and to top it all their deals are being stolen. It was a complete mess.  

Sena sighed with emotion. She avoided Sophie and her friends, she also snuffed out the onset of an extra-marital issue to be placed on her head and finally, she gathered all the bad deals of the company and sent it to the enemy. 

Step by step she dealt with them calmly. 

Shutting down her childish flower prank would agitate her. Sophie doesn’t like losing control over her game. Sena thought of last life, she never had any conflict with Sophie, not even a large argument. It’s just that she began to resist and wanted to turn over a new leaf. 

The result was unimaginable. Although Sophie received nothing from it, she surely had a hand. Not getting anything may be odd but it was the helplessness and loss that satisfied her.

It was pure vengeance. 

She hopes to thoroughly clean it this time. 

The bait she sent Niko effectively wrecked a silent storm in Hollyhock Brokerage, in the following months they will soon notice the huge loss. For that, Sena no longer intends to move her hands. Since they loved stealing things, let them enjoy its ‘benefits’. 

Niko is in no good condition lately either. A fight between her and Yi Ran broke out when she saw the listings posted on Hollyhock’s website. Didn’t he promise that he wouldn’t give the list to his boss? Now that it came out, Diamond will surely investigate who among the agents stole the information and pass it on to their rival.

Niko comforted herself that her connection with Yi Ran had always been a secret and it would be impossible for her colleagues to find out.

Every day she came into the HQ and felt like she’s stepping into thin ice. 

It wasn’t until Sena called for her that her last defence crumbled.  

With a pale face and trembling limbs, she faced the tranquil eyes of their young boss. 

“I’m not waiting for you to explain yourself.” Sena said directly. On the desk is a red folder containing all the papers she passed when she came into this company. “I believe we have nothing else to talk about.”

Niko shivered as she stared at the folder. Yi Ran broke up with her and chose to save his own ass. Transferring to Hollyhock is now impossible. She had nowhere to turn to.

That man, after using her he would just throw her away like insignificant trash.   

Gripping her hands tightly she argued, “Y-You can’t do this to me. I was hired by Miss Linda.”

Sena ignored the hysteria in her tone. She had a good job but because of personal interest, she took it for granted. Keeping her a bit longer was for her to gather enough evidence of Niko’s collusion with another company.  

“I own part of this business which makes me your boss.” Sena said calmly. “As a boss I can and I will exercise my right to separate employees who do not meet the company's requirements and violate its rules.”

Niko’s eyes were red. How could it end like this so suddenly? She had a bright future ahead!

“On what grounds?”

“You know it more than I do. If I have to elaborate each case to you I’m afraid I’ll run out of patience and let the police handle this. You choose.”

Her heart fell on the pit of her stomach. Police? She’s going to get arrested…

“No! You can’t. I didn’t do anything—”

Sena slapped the table harshly, “Did you really think I never knew your relationship with Yi Ran and that you were passing information to him? Those are deals we worked hard to obtain! How lucky for Hollyhock to get them without a sweat.”

Her lips turned white. Niko never saw her yell once. Witnessing it so suddenly scared her. Was it just reflex or is it because of the illusion a superior gives her? 

“There’s no point regretting it now. You passed the deals without regret, you should have known where it’s going.” 

That afternoon, Diamond Realtors had one agent less. Niko hastily put all her things in a box and left the building in tears. 

The mole is gone finally.

The rival company thought they got the best of them as they continue to suffer losses. Miss Pam did not take her seriously at first, it wasn’t until the third month that she began to have a headache.

Diamond continues to receive various offers on their listings. Even without Leo’s backing, she can now accurately find and transact with the right people for their business.

The agents’ itineraries are full and most of it is already in its final phase just waiting for the buyers to come. Even though the properties were a little bit higher than the standard current market value, few asked for price adjustments making their property owners satisfied. 

“Cheers!” 

Cold beer mugs were raised high followed by amused laughter. 

“Weekdays are finally over…” Elia groaned, massaging her neck. 

On one Friday night when everybody went out for beers and barbecues, they met Yi Ran’s team drinking on the other side of the street. 

“Boss, Yi Ran’s been glaring daggers at us.” Elia complained. “He still has a lot of energy despite getting no job recently. His and Miss Pam’s conflict was escalating to the point their whole office knew of it.”

Rui clapped his hand remembering something, “By the way Boss, how did you know Niko sold us out?”

“Boyfriend.” She said thumbing the general direction where Hollyhock’s people sat. “It might have calmed down now that he broke up with Niko.”

Oh, so it’s like that. Everyone exchanged strange looks. 

“Oh my god, I thought it was purely coincidental that most of our prospects were the same as theirs.” Rui grimaced. “Especially the last one with Emerald Drive, as soon as you set up an appointment they also sent their people much earlier. Thankfully, the property did not sell.”

Come to think of it, starting from that deal everything seems to go downhill for Hollyhock.  

“There is no such coincidence, especially if it happened several times.” Sena sipped on the ice-cold beer letting the tangy and bitter flavour wrap her tongue. “Anyway, the problem's over. Everyone should just focus on their respective listings and wait for commissions.” 

Rui shook his head with a sigh, “She had a nice job…” 

“Having a ‘nice’ job wouldn’t be enough for someone who’s appetite is deeper than a black hole.” She retorted. 

Rui did not say any more.

“Ugh, that bitch I should have given her a smack before letting her off.” Elia huffed. 

She lost one client last year, it should have been hers and Katya’s first business but then an agent from Hollyhock suddenly closed it. It was Niko’s doing! 

“How did we get in conflict with them anyway?” Jue wondered. “As far as I know we never clashed with their brokers nor did we start anything.”

“We did not.” Sena said. “We just happen to be new and easy to push around.”

That was what she said as a reason to appease everyone but she knew Miss Pam targeted their company, her to be exact because of someone else’s order. She did not have enough time to settle it last life because of the issues cropping up one after another. 

Although Diamond is still small, she will never let it be pushed and pinched around by their rivals. If it’s just capital, she has enough left after putting most of it to investments. Unlike before, she did not have to sell the land she bought to supplement any loss.

News about development on the east side is starting to leak in the media. To people who know she has such a card on her hand, they will begin to feel restless and will do anything to make her let go. 

She laughed inwardly. They can try though… 

That place is hers. With good access to both Capital City and Pearl Marina, it was perfect for building a new gem under their banner. 

Her plan is to slowly let Diamond gain a reputation within the domestic market. 

Katya ignored the mutterings around her and continued to grill the fat and juicy slab of meat. Everybody’s bent on gossiping and they stopped working on food altogether. Her little arms are about to fall off.

“Let me.” Jue scooted near her, plucked the tongs from her hand and took over the grilling.

She smiled widely, “Thank you.”

“No problem,” he replied, smiling back. “You should eat a lot of meat and drink more milk so you can grow taller.”

She slapped him in the arm.

“I’m not wrong.” Jue persisted looking at her up and down in an exaggerated manner. 

Katya is really tiny, like a white cute mushroom with pink cheeks waiting to be pinched. He couldn’t bear seeing the mushroom working up a sweat for quite a while now. He good-naturedly cut her a portion of lamb and put it on her plate.

“See? I’m nice.”

I will definitely go to prison if I murder this person. Katya thought, stabbing on the piece of meat he gave.

The contrast between a petite girl and a huge guy caught the eyes of many. Although Sena is the youngest among them by age, Katya’s small stature made everyone’s attitude towards her a lot softer. 

Before entering the company, she had a complex about her height. She graduated with excellent credentials and was accepted by a good school to teach. The problem began when her colleagues did not take her seriously. Inside the private academy she was teaching, there was a rivalry, naturally, she fought her way up. But instead of growth in her career, she had been subjected to severe bullying by her colleagues. It reached the point that it affected her self-esteem. When she could no longer stand it, that is when she quit.

Entering Diamond, she found real friends. Among them, she did not expect that the one she would get along with the most is the sassy and rogue-like Elia. 

“You match.” Sena said, pointing at her and Jue. 

“Boss!!!” Everybody exclaimed.

Jue, who was grilling peacefully, almost grilled his hand when he paused. The meat Katya has bitten fell on her lap. 

“Uh?”

Did she say something wrong? Sena scratched her cheek while looking at their odd reactions. 

Something’s up with these two. 

“I never said I’m against office romance.” She shrugged. “As long as you do your jobs right though.”

Wait, this wasn’t how it’s supposed to be. 

Why is their boss so blasé about this? 

“Boss you see, things are a bit complicated.”

Sena made an I-don’t-understand face. 

“They’re both single.” Elia added, very supportive of her assessment. 

No, that’s wrong! Jue still has a very clingy friend, the kind who would attack any female who would gets close to him. No doubt she would aim her eyes at Katya once she heard about this. 

They’ve met that woman once, and the impression was not so nice.

Jue said they were best friends, childhood neighbours. Yeah, that’s what the excuse he said when explaining how he would suddenly drop his work to come to her side in the ungodly hour of the night. 

How she would call him in the middle of a date just to kill a spider the size of a booger. 

Or how Jue would easily give in when she starts crying.

To say best friend would be an overstatement. A lackey is more likely.

In short, he is kinda… sad and pathetic. 

Sena gave him a dirty look after hearing the agents’ colourful description of the mythical creature that is Jue’s friend. 

Is your head okay kid? She wanted to ask. 

Jue: I feel a bit hurt. The boss’s eyes say it all. 

Good thing Sena received an overseas call from Linda that he was finally let off.

“Are you having fun?”

“How did you know?” She laughingly answered. 

“I can hear the noise all the way to the Indian Ocean. Which place did you go? I’ll have Leo’s secretary arrange things.” 

“Please no,” Sena laughed. “We’re just around here at the docks eating and having a few beers.”

It was when she heard Linda’s sharp inhalation. 

“The docks? You’re kidding me!”

Sena nodded, “Yes, I’m here with everybody.”

That greatly surprised Linda. Their pampered baby doll is out there eating street food! She was glad she’s opening but… 

“In the following days, you may want to reconsider, sweetie.” She hummed in a warning tone. “Your grandfathers sent people to monitor you. It may get a bit difficult.”

“I knew they sent people, but I haven’t heard from them or the three old guys so I guess it’s okay. How's the honeymoon by the way?”

It was Linda’s turn to giggle. “Oh, it’s marvellous. Your big brother’s lying on the bed all day like a pig. I'm tempted to put a cord on him and drag him out.”

Trust Leo to be lazy after being dragged around to sightsee. She could tell how they were faring. They always liked lounging around, like a pair of cats sitting in one corner all day doing nothing.   

“Don’t you miss us, baby girl? You tossed us so far away unexpectedly.”

“Wasn’t me, it was grandpa P’s idea.”

“Whatever you say.” Linda snorted. “Me and your big brother talked about contacting Apple to assist you. He has a lot of experience in personal relations and can cover blind spots for you. Plus, he can train your assistant to polish her skills some more. What do you think?”

What does she think? She’s frightened of course!

Apple is a top-level assistant who worked with the former CEO of Nexus Global. Her mother’s trusted aide and the only person who earned the approval of the three old guys from the board. He was notoriously swift and strict. April might die and she will be driven mad. 

When Linda heard her groan, it made her chuckle. “He’s not that scary, he will help you.”

Well, if she had not rudely driven him back to Europe she wouldn’t be this scared. 

“Don’t worry about Apple. I’m sure he will agree.” 

Highly unlikely. Sena wanted to cry.

“Sena,” Linda called softly. “He is worried about you.”

She grumbled no more.

“I’m sorry my new hire gave you a lot of headaches, I should have been more careful with that one.”

They talked about the details of Niko’s betrayal and Hollyhock’s intention in her last message that is why she had no burdens firing her. 

Sena heard a languid sigh. 

“It’s alright, I’ve cleaned her up. With a lawsuit on her tail, she wouldn’ dare come back to make trouble unless she likes prison bars.”

“You have a lot going on, baby girl. April is still too green.” Linda pointed out.

It’s not that she hadn’t noticed the problem before. A year maybe a couple more would give April a solid foundation. Since the girl is determined to go in this path, she will support her decision. With the way her career goes right now, she might need to speed up training her assistant. An expert's help will be greatly appreciated.   

Sena smiled, “I have another thing to ask if you guys don’t mind.” 

“Well, go ahead.”

“I want big brother to investigate two people in the planning department of Tang Group. It’s a crucial time now for everybody, if any of the personnel get caught up with an issue it will affect the business.”

“Why are you suddenly so worried? Is there something you want to tell me?”

The wind murmured, filling the silence.

“I think it’s better to reconsider whether to continue hiring them. Lind, you know I got mixed up with the bad crowd just recently and I have heard news.”

It was the only excuse she could make to deliver the warning smoothly. 

Linda waited, biting her thumbnail. Her voice held entreaty, a request borne out of something. 

And Sena rarely asks for something which makes her nervous.  

“Zhang Min’s family runs an illegal business and Sophie is involved with people in the gang. If worse comes to worst, Zhang Min’s father might get caught and it will surely affect the company. But with Zhang Min’s relationship with Sophie, her dad will most likely get off scot-free.”  

The Tangs did nothing wrong but they were sucked into a whirlpool of conspiracy. The huge problem started when Mr Liu, Zhang Min’s father, was suspected of running an illegal casino. His background was dug up connecting him to the Tang Group. It was a critical period for them to win a partnership with an international company. Unfortunately because of the trouble, the supposed partner backed out. When Mr Liu and the other conspirators were removed from their posts, the matter was still not settled. 

Enemies of the family started releasing false news that to save themselves they chose to cut off a long-time employee. Someone behind Mr Liu helped him clean his name from the casino scandal and used his ‘innocence’ to accuse the Tangs of being unjust. 

Under the banner of injustice, they urged people to boycott the Tang’s businesses and its subsidiaries causing a sharp plunge in their stocks. Sena wanted to warn Leo in order to save him from sinking into depression and eventually become easy prey to Sophie.  

“This person behind Sophie. How big was he?” 

Linda did not ask her where she got this news from nor did she express any doubt. 

“I’m not sure but they said the mayor wanted his support.”

On the other end of the phone, Linda rose from the bed and walked towards the window. A chill that had nothing to do with the wind hit her.

“Alright, rest assured I will talk to your big brother about it.” 

“Thanks big sis.” 

Linda smiled. She wondered how such a kitten suddenly unsheaths her sharp claws ready to scratch without warning. 

This kitten waving her little paws, she likes but she also didn’t want her to be hurt.  

Leo already began his investigation since they left the country. Her in-laws were already alerted so the result should come soon.  

They did not intend to let Sena know but it seems there’s no hiding anything from this girl.