Chapter Four

Diamanté wore her pure, white gown while she was going through the weekly income in her study. It turns out that the collections were much more successful than Diamante had expected. But the problem was how to infiltrate the Lagrand mansion successfully?

In the middle of the floor, Charlotte is playing with her dolls. In the past two days, Diamanté knows so much about the little and wants to know more. Charlotte is mute, born in the United States, and she escaped through one of the cargo ships from Louisiana and was taken away by the ring leader.

Even though Charlotte cannot speak, she still teaches herself to read and write French. Her writing is something that helps them communicate. But she always looks so lonely. Even though the leaders and Charlotte get along, her age is what separates her from everyone else.

Onice barges in the room; Diamanté looks up and smiles at the sight of her cousin, fuming in rage.

"This place is disgusting. I've seen mold everywhere, and the amount of insects is atrocious." Diamanté looks down at her expenses. Onice does have a point. And the place is too big for everyone to clean it properly. Maybe if they recruit more people, then Onice will shut up. It will not hurt to bring more people down to the Manor.

"Okay, we'll have a meeting. Right now, we have six expenses to ask for. Call everybody inside. I will think about something." Onice rolls his eyes and walks out. Ten minutes later, all eight leaders stand in front of her. Onice's vague instruction is leaving them in a daze of confusion, but Diamante does not care.

"Congratulations to everyone. We have more than enough money to have a steady income. Now, this house is disgusting. I'm willing to let you assign people to work for us." The leaders are now smiling. Finally, they are given some meaning to their lives. Diamante is pleased to hear the exchange of murmurs that are full of excitement.

"We need maids to do the cleaning. We need builders to do artillery. We need workers to get loans. Accountants are for tracking our finances and a medical force for injuries and getting rid of bodies. They will also need a place where their children can stay." The leaders all listen intently, ready to assign themselves to their posts.

"You can only be responsible for one department. But you are allowed to be with a Partner. Your earnings will pay these employees. Questions?" Onice asks.

All but one hand remains still. The older man from the group raises his hand.

"Give me your name," Onice demands.

"My name is Mustafa Yenilikçi. How many can we allocate?" His voice holds confidence and determination. Diamante thinks about Mustafa's question for a moment. Not having enough recruits will make things slow. Having too much will mean that there will not have enough money. Diamante can tell that he will be in charge of the finances. He seems to be the only person to think beyond recruitment. Diamante has high hopes for these leaders.

"As much as you want. Now you can go." The leaders look at each other, then leave the room. Charlotte is still on the floor. Charlotte playing with her dolls reminds Diamante of her youth as a child. Except Diamante is on the barn floor, bashing rats with a hammer.

Her mother, Mariaisabelle, always says that there is danger lurking all around her. Diamante vividly remembers the first and last time having fun. The young boy that wore tunics twelve years ago will never leave Diamante's mind. She remembers four years ago trying to find any record of him, but it is futile.

There is no chance of finding him ever again.

Speaking of mother, she has to write a letter today. Only the Lord knows what will happen to Diamante if she doesn't.

Salutations, mother

How has it been since Onice's and my departure?

We both miss the entire family. It just does not feel right when we are not near you.

The opportunities in France are phenomenal and are to die for.

Unfortunately, for the Novella circus, devoured by the flames.

The ringleader was one of the many deceased.

But do not worry. Onice and I have found our calling.

Arriving in France was our destiny.

It seems like I am not going to return home anytime soon.

From your little jewel,

Diamante Stanzolio

Diamante whistles Charlottle to come over. Charlotte immediately stops playing with her toys and walks to her idol. Diamante hands her the letter and whispers into her ear. She smiles and runs out of the door excitedly. Diamante cannot help but gush. Charlotte isn't just some mute girl. To Diamante, she is Charlotte, and that is all that matters.

Diamante massages her head. She is expecting to see two more people who are having trouble with their business. Nikita and Anastasia do a terrific job of spreading the word about her. Just as she is getting ready to meet the two, A knock comes on the door.

Diamante yells for the person to come in, and a familiar face emerges. The woman who previously comes from India is holding the same iron rod used to beat the crook to death. She will rather use her old filing tool, but she lost it in the circus.

She thanks the young woman as Diamante takes the bat from her hands.

In the secret chambers of the house, she sits down on her throne. The two lower classmen sit across from her on broken stools.

"Why did you two come here?" The two men look at each other. Both of them are equally nervous to talk. Only one of them is brave enough to reply.

"We have heard that you are the Diamond demon." Diamond scoffs. Of course, the man that runs away from her runs his big mouth. They stay still and wait for Diamante to respond to their statement.

"Yes, and what about it?" The same man whispers into the other man's ear. Diamante yawns as they silently bicker back and forth. Finally, the other man decides to speak to Diamante for the first time.

"We have a small bakery. But the one next door stole an old recipe. Can you help us?" Diamante can't hold it any longer and giggles. Today is going to be interesting. Honestly, she can get Nikita or Anastasia to do this simple job, but she isn't going to do that; this sounds fun.

"I am not only prepared to take back your recipe, but I will also give them a brief message." Both men sigh in relief. The younger woman with the diamond eyes is the town's scare; people have been hearing Madeline's stories and how NOBODY even thinks about stealing from her again.

All thanks to the Diamond demon.

"Thank you very much. When should we dispute this problem?" Diamante wants this to be over and done with. So she thinks of the logical time.

"We must leave now." They both look at each other before standing up. Diamante follows behind them and walks outside. Diamante sees that the pair arrive from a carriage with one horse. She sits on the wagon while one of the bakers sits on the horse.

It takes about twenty-three minutes to arrive in town. Diamante sees how some of the civilians immediately avoid eye contact, fearing that Diamante will kill them like Donovan and Gerald if she looks at her. Diamante smiles as she sees the children play in the streets.

Good. They all know their places.

It isn't long until she is in front of the bakery. Diamante gets off the carriage, and with her trusty bat, she walks inside. There, a sweet woman greets Diamante.

"Hello my dear, what can I get you?" Diamante ignores her and begins looking around at the displays. They may look nice at a distance, but up close, Diamante sees how disgusting they are. The displays consist of sugar-filled pastries, with close to sour whipped cream on top and spoiling fruit mixed in.

"I want you to give me the recipe you stole." Diamante notices how the woman's happy expression falters. But as soon Diamante notices it, it disappears. Diamante stands there, expecting her to pretend not to know.

"I do not understand." Diamante rolls her eyes before tapping the bat up and down her hand. She smirks as the baker's eyes are full of confusion. Those confused eyes soon change into fear as Diamante starts breaking everything in her path. The woman's pleas only fall on Diamante's deaf ears. She continues to break the furniture and the displays relentlessly. When Diamante finally stops, she turns around at the terrified woman with an innocent look. Now the baker can't act dumb anymore.

"Let me be more specific. I am the demon of the Diamond. Give me the recipe. NOW!" Diamante's bark makes the woman immediately go to the back. After a few minutes, she comes out and gives the old piece of paper to Diamante. Diamante snatches it from her hand and walks out.

And for good measure, she smashes the front window. This causes the baker inside to scream and the townsfolk to witness Diamante's rage in public. Diamante looks around, and the bystanders scurry off.

She sits inside the carriage and looks back to see the bakers' dumbfounded expression as they all ride off.

When they arrive back at the Manor, Diamante jumps off the carriage and walks up to the men. The bakers wait for her to start screaming at them. However, they are genuinely full of surprise to hear what Diamante has to say.

"Today was a good day. Remember, you can use me as protection and someone who will stop other business competitors. You must pay us 10% of your profits and access to your goods." The bakers nod and ride off. She enters the Manor, and Charlotte greets her. Diamante doesn't know why but seeing Charlotte's face fills her with ease.

Three hours go by, and the bakers return. Diamante is in delight as they hand her the heavy bag of gold coins. When they put the baked sweets in the dining hall room, Diamante feels something like no other.

While the leaders, Onice and Diamanté, help themselves with the delicious goods, Diamante keeps on eating. After everyone becomes full, Diamanté doesn't stop. She has to consume more because Diamante does not feel satisfied at all.

Diamante wants more.