When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 101: Coincidence?

Chapter 101: Coincidence?

Samuel glanced at his phone, the message from Timmy flashing onto his screen with a quiet ping. He paused, fingers frozen above the steering wheel as he read the lines of text.

Timmy had uncovered something — a new development that made Samuel’s stomach tighten.

It wasn’t about Revilo, as they’d both suspected. Marlo, the man they’d spotted at the private villa last night — a man who looked hauntingly like James — had no apparent connection to Revilo or anyone in the company. According to Timmy’s findings, it was all a coincidence, just some strange alignment of fate.

Samuel let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, the weight lifting slightly from his shoulders.

But there was still a knot of unease lingering.

He stared at the screen, rereading the words.

Timmy’s message continued: "Marlo has no ties to Revilo, nor anyone else in our network. The similarities are just a strange coincidence."

Samuel’s jaw clenched, his fingers gripping the wheel. Coincidence or not, this didn’t sit well. He typed back quickly, thumbs moving over the screen as he asked, "Is there anything else?"

A few tense seconds passed before another message arrived, and it was enough to make him tense up all over again.

"There is something else worth noting," Timmy had written.

Samuel felt his pulse quicken, eyes glued to his phone. He knew Timmy wouldn’t say something like that without reason. Timmy was careful, cautious with his words, and if he was saying it was "worth noting," then it was worth every ounce of attention Samuel had.

Another message popped up: "While Marlo himself isn’t connected, we did notice something odd. Walter Cain, the lawyer, was seen with a few of his men following Marlo. They were tailing him closely, and we’re not sure why. They’ve been at it for a while now."

Samuel’s breath hitched, his mind spinning. Walter Cain was one of Revilo’s trusted lawyers — a man who rarely acted without a purpose.

Why would Cain, of all people, be trailing Marlo?

It made no sense. Not if Marlo wasn’t connected.

He typed back quickly, his hands slightly shaky. "Are you sure it’s Cain’s men?"

The reply came swiftly, as if Timmy had been waiting for it. "Positive. We saw them meet up with Cain later that night. It was unmistakable."

Samuel’s mind whirled with questions. Cain was too seasoned, too meticulous to make a move like this without good reason. If he was following Marlo, it wasn’t by accident. But why? What could he possibly gain?

"Keep watching them, Timmy," Samuel typed, his fingers pressing hard against the screen. "But stay out of sight. This can’t get back to them."

"Understood, sir. I’ll keep you updated," came Timmy’s reply.

Samuel put his phone down, drawing a slow, steady breath. He couldn’t shake the unease creeping up his spine. Zinnia had been dealing with enough lately. She didn’t need this tangled mess complicating things.

He turned the ignition, easing the car back onto the road. The city lights blurred around him as he made his way back to the office, thoughts still spinning, questions looping through his mind.

What was Cain’s angle? And more importantly — where did James fit into all this, if he was even still out there?

As he pulled into the underground parking lot, the fluorescent lights flickered above him. He stepped out, his footsteps echoing in the empty space as he made his way to the elevator.

The doors slid open with a quiet ding, revealing Timmy, who looked up with an almost relieved expression as Samuel stepped inside.

"Good timing, sir," Timmy greeted him, stepping aside so Samuel could walk in.

Samuel gave him a nod, his expression tight. "Timmy. Let’s get to my office."

As they walked, Timmy fell into step beside him, looking slightly anxious but composed. Samuel could feel the weight of Timmy’s silence, sensing that he was holding back something important.

Once inside the office, Samuel took his seat, gesturing for Timmy to sit as well.

Timmy cleared his throat, pulling out a file from his briefcase. "I gathered what we could on Marlo and Cain’s movements. There’s no doubt they’re connected, but there’s no sign of Revilo in any of this."

He slid the file across the desk, and Samuel flipped it open. The photos showed Cain’s men shadowing Marlo, keeping a calculated distance but close enough to monitor his every move.

"What is Cain playing at?" Samuel muttered, more to himself than to Timmy.

Timmy shook his head. "We’re not sure yet, sir. But our men did catch them meeting up with Cain late last night. It was brief, almost like they were exchanging something."

Samuel looked up, his brow furrowing. "You think it’s about James?"

Timmy hesitated, his expression hard to read. "It’s possible, but Cain’s men were subtle, like they didn’t want Marlo to know he was being followed. If he knew, he didn’t let on."

Samuel tapped his fingers on the desk, trying to piece it together. "And James... where does he fit in all this? If he survived the accident, someone would’ve kept him hidden."

Timmy nodded slowly. "If he’s out there, someone’s pulling the strings."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on both of them.

"What’s our next move?" Timmy asked quietly, breaking the silence.

Samuel took a deep breath, the gears in his mind turning. "We keep watching. I want everything on Cain, and keep tabs on Marlo too. If Cain is involved, he’s bound to slip up."

Timmy nodded, his jaw set. "Understood, sir. We’ll keep our distance and observe from afar."

Samuel leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he let the pieces settle in his mind. He couldn’t afford any missteps now. If Cain was up to something, it could change everything.

And if James was truly out there, alive but hidden — Samuel knew he had to find him before anyone else did. For Zinnia’s sake, and for his own.