He slammed his palm against the wall and stepped under the shower, hoping the cold water would calm him down.
He took a quick shower, wrapped a towel around himself, and stood in front of the mirror.
His eyes were red.
He smirked at his pathetic state and shook his head in pity.
The doorbell echoed through the mansion. He opened the door with the remote.
It was Jacob. He had the code but always rang the bell out of respect for his privacy.
He put on his robe and headed to the kitchen.
The staff prepared breakfast in forty-five minutes and sent it up.
He heard Jacob's greeting.
_ "Hey. Morning."
+"hey… what's the plan today?"
_ "The company. A few contracts to review and sign, three meetings, and…"
He paused. Matthew looked up, waiting.
_ "Dealing with James."
Matthew nodded.
+"No connections?"
_ "Nah, he's a nobody. The people he knows are small-time. A low-rank cop in a tiny unit and a couple of shady lawyers. He's just been scaring that poor girl for no reason."
+"Hmm. Dig up everything on this girl. It's unlikely, but I don't want surprises. You know I hate being caught off guard."
Jacob nodded.
-"Morning."
Jacob's eyes shifted to her. He didn't smile, but his tone was soft.
_ "Hey… morning. Sit down, you should eat something."
Diana stared at Matthew, who was sitting with his back to her, eating. He didn't even bother to turn around.
She muttered a quiet "whatever" to herself.
She started eating slowly. Today, she couldn't afford to feel weak. Her plan couldn't fall apart over a little hunger.
She sipped the coffee. It was too bitter, and she coughed lightly to clear her throat.
-"If… if I have to stay here, please let me go back to my place to grab my things. I have some essentials there."
+"What do you need? Tell Jacob, he'll buy it for you. You don't need your junk."
Matthew said it without looking at her.
-"My stuff isn't junk. It's personal. Keepsakes from my parents. You should know how important those are, right? My mom's clothes, her diary…"
His patience snapped. He slammed his palm on the table.
Jacob looked at him, worried. That name shouldn't have been mentioned here.