Chapter 538 - 134 Gathering Conspirators

Chapter 538: Chapter 134 Gathering Conspirators

Claire’s POV

That little princess had slipped through my fingers once again. I had been certain fortune favored me when I spotted her leaving Thorne Group’s corporate tower, but luck sided with her instead. Those patrol officers materialized from thin air, destroying my carefully laid trap. Now I was returning to the Sullivan family estate with empty hands and growing desperation. Connor’s ultimatum was approaching fast, and failure would mean losing everything I had fought for years to build within this organization. I needed to devise a new strategy, and quickly.

When I arrived at the estate, Felicia was waiting in the marble foyer. She had proven herself a remarkably useful asset—the detective’s wife who would move mountains for me. Her husband danced to her every whim, and she performed the same obedient choreography for me. Despite her devout Catholic facade and constant appearances at Sunday mass, she was as corrupt as any of us—a beautifully useful sinner. Her addiction to gossip made her an invaluable source of intelligence about every family’s secrets in this city. Well, nearly every family’s. She remained blissfully ignorant about the true extent of my ambitions, believing me to be some kind of charitable benefactor. The entire community viewed me as a devoted mother and philanthropist, which sometimes made me want to burst into laughter.

"Claire, where’s Lila? Weren’t you able to bring her home?" Felicia’s expectant expression signaled it was time to deploy my most convincing performance.

"You simply wouldn’t believe what happened, Felicia. That ungrateful child refused to accompany me," I said, allowing genuine frustration to crack my voice. "She caused this absolutely mortifying spectacle right there on Fifth Avenue, screaming hysterically and begging strangers to summon the authorities. She actually accused me—her own mother—of attempting to abduct her. The public humiliation was beyond endurance, Felicia. Absolutely soul-crushing." Right on cue, tears began streaming down my cheeks.

"Oh, my dearest friend! What a horrible daughter you’re dealing with. I’m so deeply sorry for your pain." Felicia wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace. "I’ve discussed this situation with my husband repeatedly, Claire. I’ve begged him to use his detective shield to retrieve that girl and bring her back to you. But he keeps refusing, insisting it could destroy his entire career if anyone discovered his involvement. And now that she’s romantically involved with another detective, he claims he absolutely cannot risk any interference."

"How exactly did your husband learn she’s dating a detective?" I found this particular detail suspicious since I hadn’t shared that intelligence with her.

"Your former husband mentioned it during one of their conversations. According to what my husband has been able to gather through department channels, your daughter’s boyfriend possesses significant political influence and maintains extremely close relationships with the Public Safety Commissioner’s inner circle. My husband insists it would be professional suicide to antagonize such a well-connected individual," Felicia explained, inadvertently reminding me of something critically important.

"Felicia, here are your car keys. Thank you for absolutely everything today, but I’m completely exhausted and need to rest and strategize." I needed her gone immediately so I could execute my next move.

"Of course, dear friend. If you need anything at all, just call me anytime," Felicia said before making her exit.

Once I was completely alone, I rushed to my private study and frantically searched through my desk drawer until I located the business card I was looking for—it was finally time to activate this particular connection. I dialed the number with trembling fingers.

"Elias Martinez speaking," a gravelly voice answered after ringing.

"Mr. Martinez, this is Claire Sullivan, Lila’s mother," I announced, waiting as uncomfortable silence stretched between us.

"What can I do for you today?" His tone carried unnecessary coldness and formality.

"It’s time to implement our partnership agreement. I know exactly how to separate those two lovebirds, and I require your immediate assistance," I declared with complete confidence, certain I could finally drag that defiant little princess back under my control.

"Ma’am, circumstances have dramatically changed since our last meeting. I’ve had opportunities to observe the young lady more closely and have completely reconsidered my original position. I no longer have any desire to separate them from each other. In fact, I genuinely hope their relationship continues to flourish and strengthen," he responded, leaving me absolutely bewildered and furious.

"Is this some kind of elaborate joke?" I snapped with barely contained rage.

"Not in the slightest. I’m being entirely serious with you. You no longer have my support in any scheme to separate them. On the contrary, if you attempt to proceed with such plans, you’ll discover me standing firmly in opposition to your efforts." His complete reversal made absolutely no logical sense to me.

"But, Mr. Martinez, during our meeting you specifically said—" He interrupted me mid-sentence with obvious impatience.

"Claire, I believe I’ve made my position crystal clear. My stance has fundamentally changed, and I have zero interest in interfering with our children’s happiness. Lila is truly an exceptional young woman with remarkable character, and my son appears genuinely happy with her—that’s what matters most to me as a father. I’ve come to understand that his authentic happiness directly translates to my own contentment," he stated with unwavering conviction that surprised me.

"Sir, this is absolutely preposterous and completely unacceptable!" I protested desperately.

I heard him tell someone in his vicinity that he was coming shortly, before addressing me one final time.

"Claire, my decision is absolutely final and non-negotiable. And if you’ll accept some friendly advice from someone with experience: let this entire matter go. You’re fighting a battle you simply cannot win against forces much stronger than yourself," he declared before hanging up abruptly.

What had just happened to completely derail my plans? Why had this powerful man suddenly changed his mind so dramatically? During our initial meeting at his private club, he had seemed absolutely determined and committed to our mutual cause.

Something wasn’t adding up properly—he didn’t suddenly decide to support those two because of Lila’s supposedly sterling character. So what had triggered this complete change of heart? I couldn’t afford to dwell on this setback now; I desperately needed to secure another ally.

I left my study and found Justin lounging carelessly on the living room’s expensive Italian leather sofa with his two equally worthless companions.

"What are you doing here instead of earning money? Don’t you have more productive places to be?" I demanded, swatting his muddy boots off my imported coffee table.

"We do have plans, mother, but we’re experiencing a temporary cash flow problem. Help us out with some funding," Justin said with his usual predictable request for money. I couldn’t comprehend where he managed to spend so excessively in this relatively small territory.

"You spend money like water, boy!" I scolded him sharply.

"Aunt Claire, where’s Lila today?" asked the detective’s son, one of Justin’s regular associates and Felicia’s boy.

"I wasn’t able to bring her back home today." Apparently, Felicia couldn’t keep sensitive information confidential; she had already briefed her son about my mission’s failure.

"The police interfered with your plans, didn’t they?" he pressed with knowing eyes.

"Yes, they certainly did. How did you know that would happen?" I looked at him with sudden intense interest and suspicion.

"I specifically warned Justin about potential complications, but he insisted it was just unfortunate coincidence that patrol officers appeared precisely on the day we attempted our operation there," the boy explained carefully, prompting me to look questioningly at Justin. The kid was making an excellent point about timing.

"I’ll provide money for whatever you want to purchase, but first you’ll need to complete a task for me." I watched as they eagerly extended their hands toward the cash.

"What exactly do you need from us, mother?" Justin asked with obvious skepticism.

"I need two reliable men—completely competent professionals—to bring Lila back to me by any means necessary," I explained while retrieving substantial bills from my purse. I would send trained specialists after that rebellious little princess, and this time, escape would be absolutely impossible.

"Hand over the money first," Justin demanded greedily, and I placed the substantial bills in his palm. "For what you’re describing, you need to speak directly with Connor. He knows exactly the right guys perfect for this particular type of job."

He was absolutely right—Connor would definitely assist me, given his obvious romantic interest in my daughter and the business advantages our alliance would provide. After the boys departed, I immediately called Connor’s private line.

"What is it now, Claire?" God, this man possessed absolutely no social graces or manners whatsoever.

"Connor, would it physically kill you to display some basic civility toward a lady?" I complained with obvious irritation.

"You’ve definitely called the wrong person if you’re seeking pleasantries and small talk," he replied with typical terseness.

"I need your immediate help bringing Lila back under family control," I stated directly, hearing him chuckle darkly in response.

"I’ll visit your estate later this evening. You can absolutely count on my full assistance in this matter," he answered before ending the call abruptly. That had been easier than I had anticipated. Now I simply had to wait patiently for his arrival and the implementation of our final solution.