Chapter 136

Finn Deross gasped in pain on the hospital bed.

This mission had been a disaster. Not only did he fail to collect the commission, but he was also left severely injured. Worse, he'd missed two subsequent contracts with terrifyingly high penalty fees.

He'd wanted to prove himself to Dominic Atlante. Now? He'd probably become the laughingstock of the entire mafia family.

When Vivian Laurent entered the room, Finn instantly masked his agony with an ingratiating smile.

"Master, you're finally here."

Vivian approached without expression and began changing his bandages.

Her movements were rough. When she touched his fractured ribs, Finn howled.

"Could you be gentler?"

"Afraid of pain?" Vivian scoffed. "You didn't seem afraid when taking the contract."

"I'm human too!"

"Done." Vivian finished the dressing with clinical efficiency. "Don't call me unless it's urgent."

As she turned to leave, Finn grabbed her coat sleeve.

"Wait! You owe me!"

Vivian arched a brow. "Owe you?"

"I got injured at your place. That makes it your responsibility." His tone was shamelessly bold.

Vivian nearly laughed.

It reminded her of that thief who sued his victim after getting food poisoning from stolen goods.

"What do you want?"

Finn's eyes lit up. Over the past two days, he'd observed Vivian closely. This woman was anything but ordinary. In just weeks, she'd gained renown at the hospital and displayed uncanny knowledge of the Dark Web.

"I still have two unfinished contracts. In this condition, I can't complete them. The penalties would bankrupt me. Could you possibly—"

"Complete them for you?" Vivian cut him off.

"With your skills, it'd be effortless!"

Vivian turned away again.

Finn panicked. "If you refuse, I'll expose your identity on the Dark Web! Someone as capable as you hiding in a hospital? You must have secrets!"

Vivian froze.

"Blackmailing me?"

Finn shrank back slightly but held his ground. "Just stating facts. Help me this once, and I'll take your secrets to the grave."

Silence filled the room.

Finn watched Vivian's rigid back with bated breath.

Finally, she turned slowly, her lips curving into a dangerous smile.

"Tell me about these contracts."