BRUSHSTROKES OF REVENGE

Chapter 61: Silence Before the Storm

The late afternoon sun slanted through the tall glass windows of LUXT Corporation’s design studio, painting the room in soft amber light. The once-bustling space had grown quiet as designers packed up their things and left for the evening, their laughter and chatter fading down the hallway.

Only Mindy remained, seated at her desk near the window, surrounded by sketches, fabric samples, and color palettes. The faint hum of the city outside blended with the rustle of paper as she carefully organized the last of her portfolio drafts.

The Maxine Portfolio presentation was only a week away, and though her team had worked tirelessly, she still found herself reviewing every detail, every line, every shade. Perfection wasn’t a goal—it was a necessity.

She reached for her handbag, ready to call it a day, when her phone buzzed. The name flashing across the screen made her smile instantly. Wade Wilson.

She answered without hesitation. "Big Brother," she greeted warmly.

A familiar chuckle came through the line. "So, you finally have time to answer my calls?"

Mindy laughed softly, leaning back in her chair. "You’re one to talk. The Maxine Portfolio is next week, and you promised you’d be back by now."

"I’ll be there soon," Wade replied, his tone calm but carrying that familiar edge of mystery. "There was something that needed my attention first."

Her smile faded slightly. "Do you need my help?"

"No," he said firmly. "It’s nothing I can’t handle."

There was a pause, and then his voice shifted, becoming more serious. "I have news."

Mindy straightened in her seat, her instincts immediately sharpening. "What happened?"

"There’s been movement," Wade said. "From Tori."

Her eyes narrowed. "What kind of movement?"

"She’s heading to Cracros City," he replied. "An auction. In thirteen days."

Mindy frowned, her mind already racing. "An auction?"

"Yes," Wade confirmed. "I’ve already sent you the catalogue. Look at it yourself."

She placed the phone on speaker and opened her laptop, quickly locating the file he mentioned. The document loaded slowly, each page filled with lists of rare items, art pieces, and private collections.

But as she scrolled further, her expression changed. Her eyes caught on something familiar.

A cold light flickered in her gaze. "Interesting," she murmured.

"I thought you’d say that," Wade said, amusement lacing his tone. "Should I make a move?"

Mindy closed the file and leaned back in her chair, her mind already spinning with possibilities. "No," she said after a moment. "Not yet. We need to catch them completely off guard."

A grin spread across Wade’s face, though she couldn’t see it. "I was hoping you’d say that."

Mindy stood and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the skyline of Greenland. The city glowed beneath the setting sun, its glass towers reflecting streaks of gold and crimson. "Book two tickets," she said quietly. "We’re going to Cracros City. And I want front-row seats."

Wade laughed, the sound deep and genuine. "Of course. I’ll see you in a few days."

"See you," she replied, ending the call.

For a long moment, Mindy stood by the window, watching the city below. Cars moved like veins of light through the streets, people hurried along sidewalks, and the hum of life continued as if nothing in the world could disturb it.

But Mindy knew better. Beneath the surface of calm, storms were always brewing. She smiled faintly, her reflection in the glass sharp and composed.

Then she picked up her phone again and dialed another number.

Adam Gray answered almost immediately. "Miss Wilson," he greeted smoothly.

"Busy?" she asked

"No," he said, his tone light.

"But I need a favor."

"I’m listening," he replied, curiosity already creeping into his voice.

"I need to borrow your ex-fiancée."

There was a pause. "...What exactly are you planning?"

Mindy chuckled softly. "Nothing dangerous. You’ll enjoy it."

Adam sighed, though she could hear the amusement beneath his exasperation. "Whenever you smile like that, I feel sorry for someone."

"I need a lawyer," she continued, ignoring his teasing. "And your cooperation."

"Ah," Adam said, leaning back in his wheelchair. "Now it makes sense. You’re planning something."

"I always am," she said simply.

Over the next several minutes, Mindy outlined her plan. Her voice remained calm, her tone measured, but the details she shared made Adam’s brows rise higher with each passing second. She spoke with precision, every step calculated, every outcome anticipated. By the time she finished, Adam was silent for a long moment.

Finally, he exhaled. "Miss Wilson," he said slowly, "I’m beginning to fear you."

Mindy laughed, the sound light and melodic. "Oh, come on. After what you did to Jodey and Ethan, this is nothing."

Adam couldn’t help but laugh as well. "Fair enough. I’ll arrange everything. And I’ll book a ticket too."

"For Greendale?" she asked, amused.

"I’d hate to miss such an entertaining performance," he replied.

Mindy smiled. "I knew you’d understand."

When the call ended, she stood quietly for a moment, her gaze drifting back to the city lights outside. Her reflection stared back at her—calm, composed, and unyielding. "This life," she whispered, "no one will ever steal anything from me again."

Across the city, in the private dining room of an upscale restaurant, the atmosphere was entirely different. The soft glow of chandeliers reflected off crystal glasses and polished silverware. A string quartet played quietly in the background, their music weaving through the air like silk. At a corner table, Layton Knight sat across from Missy Hawthorne.

Missy looked radiant as always, her crimson dress perfectly tailored, her smile practiced to perfection. "It’s been such a long time since we had dinner together," she said sweetly, her voice dripping with charm.

Layton offered a polite smile but said nothing. He cut his steak with mechanical precision, his movements calm and deliberate.

Mistaking his silence for agreement, Missy continued talking. She complained about Rona Design’s designers, about Maya’s lack of creativity, about the pressure of the upcoming Maxine Portfolio. Her words flowed endlessly, a stream of self-pity and veiled resentment.

"Layton?" she asked after a while, pouting slightly. "Are you even listening?"

He finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "They’re talented," he said simply. "Guide them properly, and they’ll cooperate."

Missy’s face brightened instantly. "You’re always so good to me," she said, reaching across the table as if to touch his hand.

Layton didn’t move. He simply nodded once and returned to his meal.

Standing a few feet behind them, Mike, his assistant, maintained a perfectly neutral expression. Years of professional training had taught him how to hide his thoughts, but even he couldn’t help the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth. How does Mr. Knight eat while listening to this fake sweetness? he wondered silently.

Missy hesitated for a moment, then decided to push further. "Layton," she began softly, "why don’t you just divorce Mindy?

You promised you’d marry me. We were engaged.

Mindy already signed the papers. She clearly doesn’t love you anymore.

She’s always with Matthias now—that ugly gangster."

The moment Matthias’s name left her lips, Layton’s hand tightened around his fork. The metal bent slightly under the pressure, though his face remained perfectly calm. Mike noticed the movement immediately, his eyes flicking toward his employer in quiet alarm.

Layton set the fork down carefully. "My grandfather," he said after a pause, his voice low and steady. "You know how much my grandparents adore Mindy. It’s not that I don’t want to. I simply can’t."

Missy frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"The only reason Grandfather handed Knight Group to me," Layton explained, "was because I married Mindy. If I divorce her, I lose more than a wife."

Missy’s expression froze. She hadn’t known that. For a moment, her mind raced, processing the information. Then, slowly, relief spread through her chest. So that was it. It wasn’t because Layton started having feeling loved Mindy.

That meant everything could still proceed according to his plan.

She lowered her head, letting tears well in her eyes. "Layton," she whispered, her voice trembling, "do you still blame me? I didn’t want to leave after your accident. I only found out how much Mindy loved you. I didn’t want to stand between the two of you. So... I left."

Layton watched her quietly, his expression unreadable. Once, her tears might have moved him. Once, he might have believed her. But now, as he looked at her, all he felt was a strange emptiness. How did I never notice? he thought. How fake she really is.

He slowly unclenched his fist. "I’m not blaming you," he said finally. "But when everyone else left, Mindy stayed. My grandparents never forgot that."

He stood, adjusting his jacket. "Give me some time. I can’t force them."

Missy nodded obediently, lowering her gaze. "Okay," she said softly.

He turned to leave, but as he did, he caught the faintest flicker of a smile at the corner of her lips. It was small, almost imperceptible, but it was there. And it didn’t escape his notice.

Later that night, the city was cloaked in a quiet haze. Layton sat in the back seat of his car as Mike drove through the dimly lit streets. The hum of the engine filled the silence between them.

"Anything?" Layton asked suddenly, his voice breaking the stillness.

Mike didn’t need clarification. "We found no direct connection between Kelvin and Missy," he said. "But there is something strange."

Layton turned his head slightly. "Go on."

"Aaron and Kelvin belonged to the same college group," Mike explained. "They weren’t close—or at least, that’s what everyone believed. They only appeared to be acquaintances."

Layton’s eyes narrowed. "Keep digging," he said quietly. "There has to be something."

"Yes, Mr. Knight."

For a few minutes, neither of them spoke. The car moved smoothly through the city, the lights outside blurring into streaks of gold and white. Then, without warning, Layton said, "Drive to LUXT."

Mike didn’t question the order. He simply nodded and changed direction.

They arrived a short while later, parking across the street from LUXT Design. The building’s glass façade reflected the city lights, its upper floors still glowing faintly. They remained hidden behind another structure, the car engine idling softly.

Neither man spoke. They simply watched.

A few minutes later, Mindy emerged from the building. She stood near the entrance, her posture graceful, her expression calm. She looked tired but composed, the faintest smile playing on her lips as she checked her phone.

Another car pulled up moments later. Ana Bose stepped out, her bright laughter carrying faintly across the street. The two women greeted each other warmly, their conversation light and easy. They laughed about something—something small, something ordinary—and then got into the car together.

Layton didn’t look away. He watched as the car pulled into traffic, its taillights glowing red against the darkening street. He watched until they disappeared completely.

Only then did he speak. "Let’s go."

Mike glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Back to the penthouse, Mr. Knight?"

Layton’s gaze remained fixed on the empty street. "No," he said quietly. "Office."

Mike nodded and turned the car around. He didn’t ask any more questions.

As they drove, he couldn’t help but think about his employer—the man who had once seemed untouchable, unshakable. Ever since Miss Wilson had left, Layton rarely returned home. The penthouse, once filled with warm light, the smell of fresh food, and the soft hum of music, had become unbearably empty. There had always been someone waiting for him there—someone who smiled when he walked through the door, who reminded him to eat, who made silence feel like peace instead of punishment.

Now, that silence was deafening.

Mike had seen it happen gradually. The way Layton found excuses to stay late at the office. The way he avoided the penthouse as if it were haunted.

The way his eyes lingered on the places Mindy used to stand, the way his voice softened when her name came up.

He would never admit it—not to Mike, not to anyone, perhaps not even to himself—but loneliness had begun to teach him the value of everything he had once taken for granted.

Outside, the city lights blurred past, and the night deepened. Inside the car, Layton sat in silence, his thoughts a storm he couldn’t escape.

Somewhere across the city, Mindy was planning her next move, her mind already several steps ahead of everyone else.

And though their paths had diverged, the invisible thread between them still held—taut, unbroken, waiting for the moment when fate would pull them together again.