Chapter 96: Chapter 96: The Price of a Rank
The first touch of dawn began to bleed through the heavy curtains painting the guest room in a pale quiet light.
Serena was still deeply asleep her breathing slow and steady against Alexander’s chest.
A faint crisp sound made Alexander look toward the door.
Evelyn Gable stood there looking completely refined despite the late hour.
She glanced at her daughter then made a silent gesture with her hand signaling Alexander to follow her downstairs.
Alexander carefully slipped out from under Serena tucking the sheets around her shoulders before stepping out into the hallway.
They walked in absolute silence down to the massive modern kitchen.
The marble counters gleamed under the soft under-cabinet lighting.
Evelyn leaned against the counter pouring herself a glass of water "Everything is set" said Evelyn her tone entirely businesslike "The contract officially ended as promised.
The initial plan was for you to stay until morning but with my daughter completely exhausted and asleep there is no real necessity for that."
She set her glass down her sharp eyes locking directly onto his "Did you take her virginity?" asked Evelyn.
"There was no opportunity unfortunately" answered Alexander his face completely expressionless.
"I see" said Evelyn nodding slowly "I will schedule another official appointment with the institute then."
Alexander took a half-step forward his voice smooth and direct "You can be completely direct with me if you wish Madame" said Alexander "There is no real need for us to involve TMC in this."
Evelyn looked him up and down a cold smirk playing on her lips "I trust TMC" stated Evelyn "I know exactly what they are capable of doing.
But I know absolutely nothing about you."
She paused and just when Alexander thought she would flatly reject his offer she took a slow breath "However I will give you a chance" said Evelyn "My daughter is about to enter university but she hasn’t graduated from her institute yet.
I want you to treat her like your actual girlfriend.
Maintain a constant conversation with her and above all I want her to be truly happy.
I will personally take care of explaining the details to her understood?"
"Of course Madame" said Alexander "I will do exactly what you require of me."
"Good" said Evelyn "I will pay you by the day.
Every single time you spend time with her and fulfill all of her demands I will pay the agreed daily rate.
What would that price be?"
Alexander tilted his head slightly keeping his expression relaxed "Why don’t we define it based on what she desires while I speak with her?" suggested Alexander "That way it will feel completely natural to her."
"Fine" said Evelyn pulling out her smartphone "I will pay seven days completely in advance and I expect you to make them worth it.
Tonight cost me ten thousand dollars an hour and I paid for eight hours.
So how about we round your daily rate to fifty thousand?
Or do you prefer to offer a different price?"
Alexander’s mind whirled behind his calm eyes.
For the first time he was discovering the staggering amount of money clients paid for the services of a top-tier TMC agent.
He didn’t even attempt to negotiate recognizing the massive profit margin instantly "Fifty thousand a day is perfectly acceptable" stated Alexander.
"Excellent" said Evelyn.
She tapped her screen quickly "Give me your account details."
Alexander pulled out his device displaying his personal encrypted account.
Within seconds a confirmation flashed on his screen—a massive deposit of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars had just landed directly into his private balance.
Right after Evelyn tapped another menu on her screen officially closing the initial party request through the TMC client application.
A second later a standard automated notification from the institute popped up on Alexander’s phone "Assignment completed. Bonus payment of $10,000 has been credited to your agent profile."
Alexander stared at the small text a cold cynical realization settling deep in his chest.
She had paid eighty thousand dollars to the institute for his time tonight but TMC had only given him ten thousand.
The sheer scale of the organization’s exploitation was laid bare right in front of him fueling a dark silent fire to eventually break completely free from their leash.
Alexander locked his phone and slid it back into his pocket keeping his expression flawlessly smooth "Thank you for your generosity Madame Gable" said Alexander with a polite nod "I will make sure Serena receives everything she expects from this arrangement."
"I am certain you will Alex" said Evelyn taking a final sip of her water "Have a safe drive back.
I will contact you once she wakes up."
Alexander offered a final respectful bow turned and walked out through the side exit of the mansion.
The cool morning air was crisp and the sky was turning a soft shade of grey as dawn fully broke over the estate.
He walked down the long gravel driveway toward the secure parking area where his sleek black Mercedes E 450 was waiting.
He unlocked the luxury sedan stepped inside and fired up the powerful engine the quiet hum of the motor instantly filling the cabin.
He shifted into drive and smoothly steered the car out through the massive iron gates of the Gable property.
As he turned onto the main winding road that led away from the exclusive residential district Alexander’s sharp eyes instantly caught a strange detail in his rearview mirror.
Parked along the shoulder of the dark tree-lined avenue were three large blacked-out SUVs their engines idling silently in the morning mist.
Alexander kept his expression completely calm refusing to show any outward sign of alarm.
He ignored the vehicles entirely keeping a steady legal speed as he accelerated down the empty asphalt road enjoying the smooth handling of his Mercedes.
But his indifference didn’t last long.
The moment his sedan cleared the intersection the heavy SUVs suddenly switched on their headlights in unison tearing away from the curb with aggressive speed.
Alexander checked his mirrors again his eyes narrowing slightly as the three massive trucks quickly formed a tight formation directly behind him closing the distance with obvious hostile intent.
