Marcus Yates

For the next few days, Dylan kept in touch with Rachel and their conversations never went beyond their personal lives. While he only had a week to extract the needed information, he couldn't afford to make her doubt his intentions.

Dylan continued playing it slowly while hoping he would receive some good news from the 20's side.

Father Linus's clinginess also made things worse. The crazy priest clung to him like a leech and shadowed his every movement. Because of this, he couldn't even carry out private investigations in regard to the case because a priest was working with the cops on his tail.

This was one of the major reasons he didn't hurry to make a move with Rachel— this man was going to be his reason for losing this case.

At this point, Dylan was considering murder. He couldn't afford to lose his first case, which was funded by cartel money. It was a death sentence, not even his hell flames would save him.

— 4 Days To Malik's Trial —

The morning sun cast a soft glow over the city, but Dylan's mind was elsewhere. He checked his phone—no messages. Rachel hadn't texted since last night.

Strange, considering she usually replied quickly.

He hesitated before calling, but after three rings, her voice came through—weak, tired.

"Morningstar?" she croaked.

"You sound like hell," Dylan said, half-joking.

Rachel groaned.

"I think I caught something. Probably the flu."

"Need anything?"

"You don't have to—"

"I apologize, but I can't sit by and do nothing… I'm not taking no for an answer…" Dylan cut her off with a tone filled with concern.

There was silence on the other side while Dylan held his breath and prayed silently.

"Okay… I'll text you my address." Rachel agreed, and Dylan's eyes glowed in reaction to the excitement he felt.

"I'll be there in an hour." He hung up before she could argue.

Dylan revealed a devilish grin and rose to his feet. He turned around only to see Clara in a red nightgown, watching him with a strange expression.

"Can I ask you something?"

Dylan's eyes tightened, but he nodded regardless. He should be thankful Clara was direct and always willing to share her thoughts. Her good communication habits made it easier for her to understand him.

"I know you do these things to win, and I have no problem with it. I'm just wondering if I'm also a part of your game?" Clara asked while looking into Dylan's eyes.

She wanted to know what was in his heart and not his mind.

"Of course," Dylan responded without hesitation. "Everyone is on the board, including myself."

Dylan walked around the bed and pulled the wardrobe open.

"I am King… I needed a queen. I found you… I chose you for that role. Are you dissatisfied?" Dylan looked over his shoulders.

Even now, his eyes seemed empty, but his words were heavy with conviction. He was direct and saw no reason to lie to her—maybe that's why she loved him.

"No… not really… I'm thinking I'm even happier now that I know the role I play in your game." She mumbled with a smile and reddened cheeks.

-------

Rachel's apartment was modest, tucked in a quiet part of town. Dylan knocked twice, and after a long pause, the door creaked open.

Rachel stood there, bundled in a hoodie, her usually sharp eyes dull with exhaustion.

"You look awful," Dylan noted.

"And you look too good for a guy visiting a sick woman." She scowled weakly.

Dylan smirked, stepping inside.

"You should be flattered."

Rachel trudged back to her couch, flopping onto it with a dramatic sigh. Dylan set the bag of groceries he'd brought on the kitchen counter—soup, tea, flu meds, and a bottle of Gatorade.

"You didn't have to do this," she muttered.

"You say that, but you're not kicking me out."

She didn't respond; she just wrapped herself in her blanket. Dylan took that as permission to stay.

Rachel dozed in and out of sleep while Dylan made himself useful, cleaning up a bit and heating some soup. She woke up just as he placed a bowl on the coffee table.

"Didn't take you for the domestic type," she murmured.

"I'm full of surprises."

While dating Aria, he played the role of husband and wife only to get cheated on. He always felt like a fool for putting so much effort into someone who clearly wasn't interested in him.

His low self-esteem and scarcity mentality kept him with her until he couldn't. If the system didn't save him, he would have been a loser who got cheated on and threw himself off a building.

Slowly, Dylan's embarrassment turned to murderous anger. He suddenly realized that just making her lose her job wasn't equal to the heartbreak he suffered that nearly took his life.

'Lich… Remind me to kill that bitch when I have some free time.'

{Hehehe… Will do.}

Unaware of Dylan's murderous plans, Rachel sat up slowly and took a few bites.

"This is actually good."

Dylan settled into the chair across from her.

"So, are you taking time off work?"

"Probably. Can't exactly patrol when I feel like death." She sighed.

Dylan leaned back.

"Guess that means I won't see you at the station for a while."

Rachel glanced at him, smirking despite her illness.

"Miss me already?"

"Maybe." He grinned, and his eyes revealed a dangerous glow.

{Charm activated}

{19/20 DF}

For a moment, silence settled between them, comfortable and easy.

"Maybe when I'm fully recovered and we both have some free time, we could grab a coffee together?" Rachel asked with expectant eyes.

Her heart warmed up as she saw a charming smile slowly bloom on Dylan's lips and his eyes sparkled.

"Why stop at coffee. We could grab snacks and probably watch a football match together. Or go hiking…"

{Charm activated}

{18/20 DF}

Rachel giggled while blushing hard. Even though she was sick, her face glowed like never before and the gloomy clouds over her faded.

This was a glow only women in love radiated.

{Strike the iron while it's hot!}

Dylan slowly rose to his feet and walked over to her. Rachel was taken aback by his actions, but she didn't withdraw. She watched him sit beside her and just looking into her eyes.

{Charm activated}

{17/20 DF}

{Charm activated}

{16/20 DF}

{Charm activated}

{15/20 DF}

Dylan leaned in for a kiss with glowing eyes, but Rachel pulled back. Her mouth was bitter, but he understood nothing comes free. If he wanted to get the information needed, sacrifices had to be made.

"I have been sick, and I took a lot of drugs… I should brush up before w—"

Dylan pulled her in and planted his kiss with impeccable accuracy. At first, she seemed to attempt to resist, but her strength failed her. Her body needed this—the warmth and touch of a man.

The two fondled each other and kissed passionately for a few minutes before breaking it off. They stared into each other's eyes in silence for a while.

{Charm activated}

{14/20 DF}

{Charm activated}

{13/20 DF}

{Charm activated}

{12/20 DF}

"You know… I heard this case come up before I got sick. Something you are involved in, and I heard you just started your firm."

"What about it?" Dylan raised a brow.

"The world is watching to see how this case turns out. You have too much to lose, if you lose." She argued and he nodded slightly.

"So what happens now?" Dylan leaned in. "Are you going to help me out?"

{Charm activated}

{11/20 DF}

{Charm activated}

{10/20 DF}

Rachel hesitated, then sighed.

"There's a witness in a murder case, right? Standard stuff. But the higher-ups are being… cagey about it."

"Cagey?" Dylan's interest piqued.

"Yeah," she said, stirring her soup absentmindedly. "Like, the guy wasn't even a solid witness at first. His statement was shaky, but suddenly, his testimony became key. The department's putting a lot of weight on him."

"Why would they do that?" Dylan kept his expression neutral.

"Because Malik is a problem on the streets." Rachel explained, "The police are looking for a way to book him."

Dylan couldn't deny it, she was right.

"It's a guy named Marcus Yates. Small-time crook. I'm just telling you this because I want you to have a fighting chance… If your client is innocent, you should be able to find the truth with this little information I have given."

Dylan nodded, storing the name away. Rachel had good intentions, but he wasn't a good person. She thought he would be able to find the truth with this information—she was wrong.

With this information, Dylan could alter the truth. He had abilities she wasn't aware of, so he didn't blame her.