When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 107: The Plan

Chapter 107: The Plan

As Marlo nodded, a wave of relief washed over him, though his hands still trembled. Samuel placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, offering a firm, steady look.

"We’ll keep you safe," Samuel assured him. "For now, just follow through with Cain’s plan. It’ll buy us time, but we have to act fast."

Turning to his assistant, Timmy, Samuel continued, "Contact the team. I want eyes on Marlo and the man he’s hiding. We need to make sure they’re protected from every angle."

Timmy nodded, pulling out his phone to relay the orders. Samuel then pulled Marlo aside, lowering his tone. "We’re going to expose Cain," he said, his eyes hardening. "We’ll bring him down for everything he’s done. But I need every piece of information you have about him. Locations, contacts—anything you remember."

Marlo hesitated, glancing nervously around, but finally nodded. "There are a few places I can tell you about. One is his office downtown. He keeps a secret ledger hidden in a safe behind a painting of the docks."

Samuel smirked grimly. "Classic Cain—hiding in plain sight. Anything else?"

"Yes," Marlo whispered, lowering his voice even more. "There’s an estate outside the city—a mansion he uses as a safe house. That’s where he stashed some of his... assets." He looked away, shame flickering in his eyes. "That’s where he wanted me to finish the surgeries."

Timmy, having wrapped up his call, rejoined them. "The team’s mobilizing. We’re all set to keep tabs on Marlo’s movements and secure the location."

Samuel’s jaw tightened. "Good. Marlo, stay low until we take action. I’ll be close by, but if anything goes wrong, don’t hesitate to contact Timmy. We’re in this together now."

Marlo nodded, visibly steeling himself as if the knowledge that he wasn’t alone was helping him regain strength. "I’ll do whatever it takes," he said, his voice soft but determined.

They left the docks quietly, Marlo heading back to his place while Samuel and Timmy returned to Samuel’s car. The drive back was silent, the weight of their mission settling heavily between them. Samuel’s mind churned with plans and strategies, racing through every possible move Cain might make.

"Are you sure about this?" Timmy finally broke the silence, glancing at Samuel. "We’re walking straight into Cain’s trap."

Samuel’s eyes narrowed, determination burning in his gaze. "This ends now, Timmy. Cain has hurt too many people—Marlo, that other man, Zinnia... he won’t get away with it."

As they approached Samuel’s estate, he pulled the car to a stop and turned to Timmy, his expression resolute. "Tomorrow, we confront Cain. But tonight, I need to prepare Zinnia. If this goes wrong, she deserves to know the truth. All of it."

Timmy nodded, understanding the weight of Samuel’s decision. "I’ll take care of things on my end. You focus on her, boss."

Inside the house, Samuel found Zinnia sitting by the window, a book open in her lap, though her eyes were far away. She turned at the sound of his footsteps, her gaze searching his face.

"You’re back," she murmured, a hint of relief in her voice. "Is everything... alright?"

Samuel took a deep breath, crossing the room to stand in front of her. "Zinnia," he began, his voice barely a whisper, "I need to tell you something—something I should have told you sooner."

She closed the book, her full attention on him. "Go on."

"It’s about Cain," he said, feeling the weight of the words he was about to share. "He’s been pulling strings, manipulating things behind the scenes. And I’m caught in the middle of it."

Zinnia’s eyes widened, her expression a mix of shock and worry. "Samuel, what are you saying?"

Samuel’s gaze softened, but he held it steady, determined to let her in on the truth. "Remember the messages you received about James? The ones telling you where he was? It seems Cain was behind those."

Zinnia’s brow furrowed, confusion washing over her. "But why?"

"I’ll tell you everything after I find out the truth," Samuel replied, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him.

Zinnia reached out, her hand finding his. "What are you going to do?"

"Tomorrow, I’m confronting him. This ends now. But I needed you to know, Zinnia. I don’t want there to be any more secrets between us."

Zinnia’s grip tightened, her gaze unwavering. "Then I’m with you. Whatever happens, Samuel, I’m here."

Samuel’s heart swelled with gratitude. "I’m sorry for keeping this from you," he said, pulling her close. The weight of the coming confrontation faded for a moment as he drew strength from her presence.

The next day dawned with a heavy silence, as if the world itself held its breath. Samuel and Timmy rose early, finalizing their plan. Each detail was meticulously laid out to ensure Cain would be exposed for all his crimes, including Revilo’s involvement.

As Samuel suited up, Zinnia approached him, resolve steady in her eyes. "Be careful," she whispered, her voice filled with both care and fear.

"I will," Samuel replied, his tone reassuring but firm.

With that, he stepped outside, joining Timmy at the car. They drove in silence to Cain’s office, their minds sharp and focused. This was it—the day everything would change.

As they parked outside the imposing building, Samuel took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "This is our moment," he said, glancing at Timmy. "Stick to the plan. We catch him off guard."

Timmy nodded, his expression serious. "I’ve got your back, boss."

They made their way inside, the air thick with tension. Samuel’s heart raced, each beat echoing in his ears. He spotted Cain’s office at the end of the hall, the door slightly ajar.

"Remember, we’re here for the evidence," Samuel reminded Timmy. "Keep an eye out for anything that can tie him to Marlo’s situation or the messages about James."

As they approached, the faint sound of voices drifted from inside. Samuel exchanged a glance with Timmy, a silent agreement passing between them. They pushed the door open just enough to peek inside.

Cain sat at his desk, a manila folder open in front of him. A shadowy figure stood nearby, his back turned. Samuel’s instincts kicked in, urging him to act. He pushed the door wider, stepping inside.

"Cain," Samuel called, his voice steady and commanding.

Cain looked up, surprise flickering across his face. "Samuel," he replied coolly, the corners of his mouth curling into a smirk. "What a pleasant surprise."