Chapter 83
At that moment, Lovi leaned back slowly in his seat, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It wasn’t the arrogant kind of smile it was more like the smile of someone who was trying to keep his cool under pressure. He raised both of his hands slightly in a calming gesture, his voice calm but with a noticeable edge of seriousness.
"Come on now," he said. "Let’s not escalate this. It hasn’t gotten to the point where we start treating each other like enemies. Not yet."
His words caused a brief silence between them. Cora’s eyes remained sharp, unwavering, but Melissa’s jaw clenched, still visibly furious. Lovie looked at both of them before continuing.
"I’m a genuine person," he said, more softly this time. "I’m not trying to rip anybody off. I never intended to. Look, I let go of the payment we initially agreed upon. I walked away from that money, not because I don’t need it, but because I realized something, money alone can’t save me right now."
He leaned forward, lowering his voice just enough that the weight of his next words could sink in.
"This thing I’ve discovered... it’s not child’s play. If I open my mouth and tell you what I know, I’m risking everything. My name. My life. Everything. You think James is just playing a game here? No. He’s not. He’s cornered and he’s dangerous. And there are other people involved."
He paused and glanced at Cora.
"That’s why I need leverage. I need something that gives me security. Something that guarantees you won’t double-cross me or leave me hanging when the storm comes. Because the moment I tell you what I know, I become a threat to certain people. And threats don’t live long, Cora."
His voice became lower and more intense now.
"I’m not asking for luxury. I’m asking for protection. I need you to see me as someone who needs to be kept close. Someone worth protecting. That’s why I asked for leverage. Because I want to live."
At that moment, Malisa then said up, her voice still tight with irritation but more controlled than before.
"So let me get this straight," she said, folding her arms. "You’re trying to tell us that you’re not planning to double-cross us or rip us off. You just want leverage, is that it? That’s all this is about?"
Lovi, still seated calmly and trying to maintain the peace, nodded slowly with a small, almost cautious smile. "Yes," he replied. "That is all I want. I’m not that kind of person that would betray my clients. You should know that by now, Melissa. I just want leverage because what I found... what I have... is not small. It’s big. Very big. And if I’m going to lay everything out, I need something that protects me too."