NOVEL NEXT Chapter 222: Angsty Angel
Angel locked eyes with him. "That's not all. He's moving them through ghost routes—channels even the syndicates don't touch. Which means someone high is covering for him. And if we can get our hands on the data, we'll know who's backing Kane… and who else is playing in the shadows."
"If my guess is correct, it must be Blackwoods."
"Honestly, I can't be sure." Angel shook her head. "I didn't find a single mention of the Blackwoods in Kane's files."
Xavier let the words hang in the air for a second, the bass vibrating through the glass in his hand. Then he chuckled low, amused. "So, you're telling me the good doctor's not just grieving daddy. He's also playing with alien toys he shouldn't even be touching."
Angel gave a sharp nod. "Exactly. And if we use this right, we can corner him. But it's risky. He'll kill to keep this quiet."
Xavier leaned back, eyes glinting under the shifting neon. "Perfect. Just what I need to find more information on the Blackwoods and where they are hiding Lucas. And who the hell is his father?"
"Anyway," Angel leaned against the bar, twirling her glass with that sly half-smile. "I've extracted everything," she said, her voice low under the thumping bass. "All the records Kane buried, all the files he polished and twisted. I pulled them apart. Every shady deal, every body left behind, every bribe, every sin."
Xavier raised his glass, lips curving at the thought. Before the rim touched his mouth, a sudden shove jolted him. His drink splashed across his hand, dripping onto the polished counter.
He turned his head, sharp and cold, only to see a lizard-skinned alien swaying on its feet. Its scales shimmered under the neon lights, eyes glazed with drunken haze. The creature barely registered Xavier's glare, staggering off toward the dance floor where it threw itself into the crowd, limbs flailing to the heavy beat.
Xavier set the glass down on the counter, watching the amber liquid drip from his fingers. His jaw flexed, not out of anger but because the timing was too damn perfect. Angel leaned her elbow on the bar and gave him a sideways glance, her lips curving into the kind of smirk that said don't start trouble here.
The lizard-like alien stumbled back into the crowd, arms flailing to the beat of the bass-heavy track. No apology, no glance back. Just gone.
Xavier grabbed a napkin, wiping his hand with slow, deliberate movements. "You were saying," he muttered, voice calm but carrying a weight.
Angel swirled her drink, the liquid catching neon streaks as she spoke. "Kane's empire isn't as clean as he wants people to believe. Half his files are patched-up lies, the rest—doctored to hide what he's buried. Embezzlement, bribery, even murders covered up. I've got it all. Screenshots, video clips, payment trails. Every ugly detail. When you're ready, I'll burn his shiny reputation to ash."
Xavier's smirk returned, sharp from the corner of his lips as he leaned back against the counter. The club roared around them, but it all faded under the weight of Angel's words.
"Not yet. I have yet to get that 12 dose of venom. I will have to take revenge on Maximilian for killing my dear friend Leonardo, after all."
After a while and a few drinks later, Xavier leaned back on the stool as he watched ANgel struggle with the glass in her hand. Angel's face was flushed, a warm red creeping up her neck, her eyes glossy with unspoken feelings. She hiccupped and swayed slightly, the bravado slipping from her shoulders.
"Hey… are you okay?" he asked with a worried look on his face.
"I'm fine," she slurred, though her words didn't match her trembling hands. "I don't want to leave. I'll drink… until I pass out."
"That's not a good idea," Xavier said, voice even but firm. "You've got to know when to stop. This—this isn't safe."
"Why do you care?" she shot back, hiccuping again, eyes locking on him with a mix of defiance and something unguarded.
Xavier's hand twitched slightly toward her, but he stayed still. "Because I do," he said softly. "You shouldn't drink yourself into oblivion. I care about you—about what could happen if you push yourself too far."
Angel laughed bitterly, the sound cutting through the bass and chatter of the club. "No one ever finds me appealing enough to make a move, you know."
"That's not true," Xavier said instantly, a corner of his mouth twitching.
"It is," she muttered, head tilting back as she passed out for a second, then snapped awake, scanning the club before landing her gaze on him again. "I do all your work, make sure everything goes exactly the way you planned, and… you never spend time with me unless you need something."
"That's not true," Xavier replied, leaning forward slightly. "I come to the club every day to meet you, Angel. That's why I give you work— I mean, it's your job, and you're the best at it, and I can't trust anyone else with it."
Angel's eyes narrowed, though her lips quivered. "I try my best to please you," she said, voice low, "but you never repay me. And it's not about the money—you already gave me your hovercar, a hundred million dollars, whatever I could ask for… but how come you never… make a move on me?"
Xavier stayed quiet, letting her words roll off her like a slow burn. Angel's voice got sharper, a mix of frustration and hurt spilling out.
"You make moves on everyone," she said, leaning forward, voice tight. "You fuck all the girls. Reva—she's your girlfriend now, right? And you're always with her… even at the club… fucking her. And you don't even love her."
Xavier raised a brow, still silent, letting the words hang.
"And you told me to thank you more and often," she went on, voice cracking slightly, "but… why can't you thank me instead? I'm working hard, doing my best to please you!"
Xavier finally opened his mouth, about to respond, but the moment froze. Someone bumped into him from behind. He spun around, fists up, and came face-to-face with the same lizard-like drunk who'd spilled his drink earlier.
Xavier didn't hesitate. One solid punch connected squarely with the alien's jaw. The lizard-man went down, screaming, and in an instant, chaos erupted. Tables toppled, drinks flew, the music blared, and the club erupted into a full-on brawl.