Once we went through the photos, we realized what was going on.
While Rebecca and Ashton were indeed in the photos, the photos had been photoshopped.
They were various photos of Ashton and Rebecca, who had undergone plastic surgery, in different places. I could see that Rebecca was the one initiating the intimacy between them.
It was not the first time I had seen such photos, but the last time I saw it, Rebecca still had her original face.
Hence, I realized what happened right away. Rebecca had gone overseas and used Ashton’s name to trick the gang members before throwing the responsibility to us.
She was right; she had successfully disgusted us.
What ill fate.
Ashton took the photos from my hands, put them back on the table, and pushed them to Lucas. Then, he said in a solemn tone, “I don’t know this woman.”
“You don’t know this woman?” Clearly, Lucas did not think well of his reply. “Are you saying that we’re trying to trick you?”
At the end of the day, the matter started because of us. At this point, regardless of whether Ashton and Rebecca were associated or not, Quince and Lucas had come for Ashton’s influential power. That was something we could not deny.
It was apparent to me from Lucas’ earlier attitude that he wanted something from me too, and I had realized that I had to set things right. Hence, I interrupted, “Calm down, Mr. Lucas, that isn’t what my husband meant. However, since we’re both saying two different things, it has become important for us to find out the authenticity of these photos. Mr. Lucas, you have many talented men with you, so I’m sure you’ll be able to have someone authenticate them, right?”
Although Rebecca’s move in framing us for this was an excellent one, she had forgotten something important. In K City, she was a dead woman. Having a new start with a new face meant that the woman who once had a relationship with Ashton was no longer around.
Both Ashton and I knew what the results of their authentication would be, but letting them do it would convince them better.
Although people like Lucas earned their money through illicit means, they were rather reasonable and strict with their own rules. Even if they were to lose their dignity, they would not fly into a rage when faced with the truth. Hence, I was certain that things would not go out of our control.
Indeed, Lucas frowned after hearing my words. He paled as if I had caught him red-handed, and he stammered, “O-Of course.”
At that, Ashton and I exchanged a glance, and the both of us knew that things were going our way.
“Well, then, do ask your men to authenticate the photos. Once the results are out, we’ll all know the truth, won’t we?” I said softly with a smile.
They were coming after Ashton’s assets and power. In other words, they were coming after the entire Chanaea’s grey area businesses. I was almost sure that she must have tempted them with the idea of a bright future in a gilded empire. That idea must have then been so enticing that they only thought of meeting their future business partner and neglected the need to authenticate the photos. It was only after hearing our words, then did they finally realize that they had been tricked.
Despite that being the fact, I knew it was not a good idea to embarrass them by being too frank about it.
After all, a cornered animal would bite back and the force behind that bite would be unimaginable.
Therefore, despite everything, Rebecca had indeed sent us a bomb.
Lucas was blinking, clearly thinking of how to proceed with everything. Unfortunately, his brain did not seem to have grown with his body size, for he could not come up with anything. Slowly, a stumped look crept upon his face.
However, I knew Lucas was not the terrifying one between the two.
As I expected, the smaller man—the slyer one—spoke again, and he threw the blame on Ashton. “That’s just a trivial matter. We’ve come from a faraway land with nothing but sincerity. Even if the photos turn out to be fake, are you still not planning to work with us, Fuller?”
If I were someone else, I would have applauded him for his well-chosen words. He had made me and Ashton, become certain that Quince was the brains of the organization. Unlike Quince, everything Lucas thought about was written on his face.
Nevertheless, there was something I could not wrap my mind around about.
Why would a scheming, witty man like Quince be willing to share his power with someone simple-minded like Lucas?
