-The Calm Before the Storm
| September 26, 2023 - 11:30 AM
Lin adjusted her presentation template, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she prepped slides for next week's meetings.
Her brain worked on autopilot—charts, revenue projections, the usual corporate nonsense.
But beneath that?
She was waiting.
For Vivian's next move.
For the fallout.
For the gold.
| September 26, 2023 - 12:00 PM
Lucas strolled by her desk, setting down a coffee cup.
Lin raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"
Lucas smirked. "A peace offering. For making me say 'gold coins' with a straight face."
Lin took a slow sip, pretending to consider. "Acceptable."
Lucas chuckled, leaning in slightly. "No updates yet. You think she's gonna cave?"
Lin smirked. "She's probably trying to figure out how to make a million-dollar gold transaction without looking suspicious."
Lucas huffed a quiet laugh. "Wish I could see her face."
Lin just sipped her coffee.
She didn't need to.
She already knew exactly how this would play out.
| September 26, 2023 - 12:05 PM
Her phone vibrated.
Lin glanced at the screen.
Unknown Number – 12:05 PM
Her smirk deepened.
Lucas saw it and muttered, "She broke already, didn't she?"
Lin answered the call.
"Vivian," she said smoothly.
A tense silence on the other end. Then—Vivian's voice, low and furious.
"…Where do you want the gold?"
| September 26, 2023 - 12:06 PM
Lin covered the phone mic, turning to Lucas with a smirk.
"She wants to know where to drop it."
Lucas sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is so stupid."
Lin grinned. "And yet, here we are."
She handed him the phone. "You talk to her."
Lucas gave her a flat look. "You really want me to negotiate my own blackmail deal?"
Lin raised an eyebrow. "You were framed, fired, and felt up by this woman. Think of it as compensation."
Lucas muttered something under his breath but took the phone.
| Call Resumed – 12:07 PM
"Vivian," Lucas said, voice completely uninterested.
Vivian exhaled sharply. "Lucas, listen to me—"
"I'm listening," he said. "And waiting."
A long silence.
Then—Vivian's voice, clipped and controlled.
"I have the money."
Lucas glanced at Lin, who made a small rolling motion with her hand. Keep going.
"Great," Lucas said. "Here's what you're gonna do. Back alley behind Ember Club. No security. No cameras. Just put the coins in a plain paper bag and leave them there."
Vivian scoffed. "A paper bag? You're treating a million dollars in gold like a takeout order?"
Lucas smirked. "Exactly."
Vivian hissed, "You think this is funny?"
Lucas glanced at Lin. She was grinning.
"Honestly?" Lucas sighed. "Yeah, a little."
| Call Ended – 12:10 PM
Lucas handed the phone back. "She's pissed."
Lin leaned back in her chair, satisfied.
"She'll do it."
Lucas sighed, shaking his head. "I swear, if I get arrested for carrying a paper bag full of gold—"
Lin grinned. "Then at least you'll go out in style."
| September 26, 2023 - 12:15 PM
Lin tapped her pen against her notebook, her attention already drifting back to work.
Lucas, on the other hand, was still staring at her like she had personally dragged him into insanity.
"Let me get this straight," he said, arms crossed. "You want me to go pick up a paper bag full of gold coins from a back alley… and then come right back to work like nothing happened?"
Lin smirked. "That's exactly what I want."
Lucas dragged a hand down his face. "This is the dumbest thing I've ever done."
Lin tilted her head. "No, the dumbest thing you ever did was trust Vivian Zhao."
Lucas scowled. "Low blow."
Lin shrugged. "Truth hurts."
| September 26, 2023 - 12:17 PM
She set her pen down, turning serious. "But while you're out, you might want to stop by HR."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
Lin leaned forward. "So you can get a position that actually lets you be with Jake."
Lucas froze.
For a moment, the usual sarcastic, too-cool-to-care mask dropped.
He wasn't just a bodyguard. He was a single dad working long hours for a job that had screwed him over once before.
Lin's voice softened slightly. "You don't have to run after Zhao forever. You're good at security, yeah—but you're also a father. Might be time to start thinking about what's best for Jake."
Lucas let out a slow breath, rubbing his jaw. "...Yeah."
| September 26, 2023 - 12:20 PM
He straightened, rolling his shoulders. "Alright. I'll go grab the loot."
Lin smirked. "Text me when it's done."
Lucas sighed, muttering as he grabbed his jacket. "Can't believe this is my life now."
Lin leaned back in her chair, completely unbothered.
"Welcome to the fun side, Fang."
| September 26, 2023 - 1:45 PM
Lin skimmed through the latest batch of emails, rescheduling meetings, drafting reports, and answering William Zhao's never-ending demands.
On the surface?
It was just another Tuesday at the office.
Except today, Lucas was out picking up a bag full of gold coins from a back alley.
Lin smirked to herself. Multitasking at its finest.
| September 26, 2023 - 2:10 PM
Her phone buzzed.
[Lucas – 2:10 PM]
Drop picked up. No issues. Heading back.
Lin chuckled. Smooth.
She typed back.
[Lin – 2:11 PM]
See? That wasn't so bad. You didn't even get mugged.
[Lucas – 2:12 PM]
Don't jinx it, Zhang.
Lin shook her head, closing the message.
| September 26, 2023 - 2:35 PM
Lucas strolled back into the office, looking perfectly normal, as if he hadn't just committed corporate blackmail before lunch.
He dropped into the chair next to her desk, stretching. "Well, that's done."
Lin didn't look up from her screen. "Gold secure?"
Lucas smirked. "Yep. And I may or may not have stopped by HR like you suggested."
Lin paused mid-typing, glancing at him. "And?"
Lucas exhaled. "And I put in a request for a less demanding position. Something with stable hours. For Jake."
Lin nodded approvingly. "Smart move."
Lucas eyed her. "You know, for someone who thrives on chaos, you're weirdly good at life planning."
Lin smirked. "Chaos is temporary. Survival is forever."
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "You're terrifying."
Lin just went back to work.
Another email. Another PowerPoint slide. Another step toward leaving this life behind.
Just another normal day.