Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 79: Cooperation

"Are you sure he’s the right person for this?" Sophia asked, her voice still skeptical but quietly respectful. "He’s not as malleable as you think."

Cassius’s gaze hardened, though his voice remained steady. "He is the right person. If he doesn’t play his part, everything we’ve worked for will crumble."

Sophia nodded, reluctantly acknowledging the truth in his words. She turned back to the console, her fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard. "I’ll prepare the next phase. But if you’re going to involve him, you’ll need to move fast."

Cassius didn’t respond immediately. Instead, his mind raced with the next steps—what had gone wrong and where they could still regain control. But as much as he liked to think ahead, he knew he wasn’t alone in this. And for all the uncertainty swirling around them, there was still something they could count on: the Diamond Family.

Sophia’s voice broke through his thoughts again, soft but clear. "What about the Diamond Family?" she asked, a subtle hint of concern in her tone. "If we’re pushing Reynold further into this, we’ll need their cooperation, won’t we?"

Cassius’s lips pressed into a thin line as he thought about it. The Diamond Family was a wildcard, but they weren’t entirely unpredictable. They had the resources, the influence, and the power to help—or to cause more problems than they were worth.

He sighed, already dreading the conversation. "I’ll pay them a visit soon," he said. "They’ll cooperate, whether they want to or not."

Sophia studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "If they don’t?"

Cassius’s smile, though small, was all too knowing. "They will. Or they’ll wish they had."

The silence between them was brief, but heavy. Cassius could see the doubt in Sophia’s eyes, the subtle wariness that was always present when it came to dealing with the Diamond Family. They were volatile, capable of anything. And Cassius knew that well.

Sophia finally nodded, accepting the plan, even if she didn’t fully agree with it. She turned back to the console, tapping out a few commands. "I’ll make the arrangements. You handle the rest."

Cassius gave her a brief nod before he walked toward the door. His hand lingered on the handle, and for a split second, his gaze shifted to the floor. "You know," he said, his voice taking on an almost teasing tone, "I’ve never been a fan of complicated things. But with Reynold, I think I’ll make an exception."

Sophia didn’t reply, but the hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. She was good at reading people, and she knew Cassius well enough to understand his unspoken thoughts. He was always playing the long game, always several steps ahead. But this time, even he was uncertain.

As Cassius left the room, Sophia’s gaze lingered on the screen, where the red warning continued to flash. She knew what was at stake. But whether they would win or lose this battle was still to be seen. All they could do now was wait.

---

The car rolled up the gravel path leading to the Diamond Family estate, its sleek black exterior catching the golden light of the late afternoon sun. Cassius leaned back in his seat, fingers drumming lightly against the armrest. The tall iron gates had opened without hesitation, as expected. They always did for him.

The estate itself was quiet, dignified. Wide stone steps led up to a grand entrance flanked by trimmed hedges and marble statues. The heavy oak doors swung open before he could even reach for the knocker. A man in a tailored charcoal suit stood waiting with a warm, welcoming smile.

"Cassius," the man said, voice smooth and deep with a hint of amusement, "as punctual as ever. Come in, old friend."

Cassius stepped inside, offering a small nod. "Larman. You haven’t aged a day. What’s your secret? Swapping out hearts every ten years?"

Larman Diamond laughed heartily, placing a hand on Cassius’s shoulder. "Something like that. Or maybe it’s just good genes and even better stress management. Come, you’re just in time. Brent’s around."

The hallway stretched ahead, polished floors reflecting the overhead lights. Paintings lined the walls—landscapes, portraits, some modern, others classical. The Diamond Family never did things halfway.

Just as they turned the corner into the wide living room, a second man emerged from the adjoining corridor. He was dressed in a more relaxed military uniform, the kind worn off-duty but still crisp and authoritative. Brent Diamond had the same sharp eyes as his older brother, but his posture carried the weight of battlefield experience.

"Cassius," Brent greeted, his voice firm but pleasant. "Didn’t think we’d see you so soon."

Cassius gave a small grin. "And yet, here I am. You know me—drawn to power like a moth to flame."

Brent chuckled, shaking his head as he stepped forward to clasp Cassius’s hand. "More like the flame itself, if you ask me."

They moved into the sitting area—a grand yet comfortable space with soft leather armchairs, a long low table, and panoramic windows overlooking the inner courtyard. Cassius sank into one of the chairs as if this were routine.

Larman poured a drink and handed it to him. "Still prefer whiskey?"

"You remembered," Cassius replied, accepting the glass. "I knew there was a reason I tolerated you."

Brent took the seat beside his brother. "You don’t visit just for the liquor. What brings you?"

Cassius swirled the amber liquid in his glass before taking a sip. "Do I need a reason to drop in on old friends?"

Larman raised a brow. "When it comes to you, yes."

A short laugh escaped Cassius. He rested his arm on the side of the chair, posture relaxed. "Alright, alright. You caught me. It’s Reynold."

Brent’s expression shifted slightly, his military instincts sharpening. "He’s involved now?"

"He’s part of the plan," Cassius said. "Whether he likes it or not."

Larman leaned back, hands folded. "And you want our support."

Cassius didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took another sip, eyes focused on a distant point outside the window. "I want your cooperation."

Brent gave a low whistle. "You don’t go small, do you?"

"Never have," Cassius replied with a faint smile.

Larman studied him for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Alright. But this better not backfire."