The Traps of Black Swan

Chapter 456 - Puppets

Aarvi imaginarily smacked herself, for thinking negatively about Aaron. How could she forget that Aaron was more than ready to marry her? He was giving her time so that she doesn't feel burdened.

Aaron breathed slowly before asking her, "Now, why did you want to marry me?"

Aarvi's back slacked to her chair as she let him know what was going on in her head, "Leon Harmon hired a psychologist for the treatment of anger management. I am not sure if he gets treated for psychosis, though." That's what she got to know on the previous day.

Aarvi shrugged her shoulders in disappointment, "Anyway, what's the fun in playing with the mentally disordered patient?" She wanted Leon to get treated, but these medical cases take a long time to cure.

Aaron gave a faint nod, hearing about Leon. He was sure Leon got to know his smart brain wasn't enough to tackle Aarvi; hence he was getting treated to have a calm mental state. Aaron added as though he could read her mind and plans, "I will take care of his treatment."

Aarvi was surprised. She was thinking of a way to control Leon's treatment so that Leon could get a better result in less time. She wasn't the type to threaten innocent people to get the work done, so it was bugging her how to adjust her plans.

Hearing Aaron, she felt good to have him for not only understanding her without hearing about her worry, but he also had a way to help her. She sent a loud smacking flying kiss with her infatuated eyes fixated on him.

Aaron: "..."

It doesn't take many seconds for his Cupcake to become a smitten teenager even while talking about Leon. Mood-off? Even if the sky drops, she would still be fascinated by him for no particular reason.

Rolling the leaflet looking at her softly blinking eyes, he smacked her head, "What is the connection between that and our marriage?" He demanded a response.

Aarvi snorted for another attack even though it didn't hurt her. "Why will there be any link with that?" She stopped herself from facepalming after understanding what he had thought because of her stupidity. "I am free for the time being, and I can play around with you. And there will be a double celebration at the Rivas Mansion."

Aaron: "..."

He genuinely wanted to ask her to put her words more appropriately instead of grumpily brushing it off. However, he understood she was ready to get married. She felt it was a good time as she didn't have to worry about Leon for a week or two, and her workload from the company was less. Clearly, she wanted to give him a sufficient amount of time without other thoughts.

Anyway, she gave a dismissive wave of her hand and continued, "Never mind, I don't want to marry you anymore." Without awareness, she revealed the petty annoyance of hers for his extreme reactions to marriage.

"..." Aaron had just thought of proposing to her in the coming days to make their day special for her. The change from sweet little Cupcake to little angry bird was too dramatic but not unexpected.

Aarvi was emotional after remembering the past incidents. She was trying to ignore them quickly. He was caressing the puffed angry bird's head in his embrace when a customer entered.

Hearing the customer ask Aarvi's suggestion of a flower bouquet to his date for lunch, Aaron checked the time on his wristwatch. He was displeased to know half a day passed so quickly, and she will kick him out of there to send him to the office after their lunch.

He wore his vest and blazer. Picking her laptop and mobile, he didn't give her a chance to kick him out. Instead, he took her with him for lunch and to his office, leaving the flower shop job to the Shadow team.

"..." The Shadow team members holding the flowers as though those flowers were unknown and the most dangerous creatures in the world.

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At a secluded location,

The air inside the room was chilling to the bones. Although the room was brightly lit, the faces of the people there were dark and grave. The vast room had many computers, completely equipped with numerous devices. A few people were ardently working sitting on leather well-supported computer chairs, facing the computer screens. 

A wall at the side had a giant screen, playing the movements of a lady in the night. Obviously, they were tracking her. A man was sharply staring at the screen, probably trying to bore a hole through the wall.

The harsh sounds created by the fierce typing on the keyboards continued. It felt like they were trying to vent their frustration on the buttons of the keyboard.

'Tak.'

Tia slapped the mouse on the mouse pad and retreated back. Her gaze piercing, teeth-gritting, and extreme irritation were glowering on her face. She suspended her slender hands on the arms of the chair.

The man behind her, who was looking at the screen, gravely said, "Abort the plan." They failed to know who could have bugged Tia. The other side had set the traps which were leading them to numerous unrelated people.

The sounds of typing paused right after the man's words ended. They balled their fingers, certainly disliking the choice of their leader. They had worked hard for so many days to reach there. 

How could they see their hard work wasting right in front of their eyes? However, they had no freedom to voice it as they were just puppets who had to follow orders.

Nevertheless, one had the voice to stand against the decision, "Absolutely not." Tia slapped her palm on the table as she rose from the chair. She demanded the reason why they should back off.

Frowns settled on the man's forehead before he turned to Tia. He knew she was stubborn, and precisely that's the reason why he didn't want to choose her for their plan. Stubbornness wasn't what they needed but obedience. However, they hadn't found anybody better than her.

He gritted his teeth, breathing long and deep to stay composed, staring at the glaring eyes. If 'Tia' were somebody else, he would have thrown her out, but he couldn't bring himself to do that to her.

He said through his teeth, "Your life is at risk."

Tia spat back directly, "Do I look terrified?" There wasn't a tiny hint of fear in her. All he could see was her determination and stubbornness.

The man's hand trembled, but he clenched and controlled without showing his real emotions, "They are dangerous. Don't tell me you trust the smiling faces. If they kill you, we won't even get your dead body." He growled at her.

Tia scoffed. Her sweet voice was laced with mockery, "I see. You are shaking in your pants."

A few snickers escaped from others, but they stayed mute. They weren't afraid of their work but afraid of the consequences of going against their group leader. They admired Tia, who every time argued back until she got a satisfactory response.

She took steps closer to the man until he was just two steps away, "How about providing extra protection for you?" She smirked, rolling her eyes.

It irked him to hear her look down on him. He glanced at the rest of the members before ordering her coldly, "In my office. Right. Now." Then he stormed out of the room.

A man in his late twenties turned to Tia, "I told you to stop going against him." He and the others were worried their leader might punish Tia severely.