Chapter 86: Arrival in Cracros

Morning arrived sooner than expected.

Before sunrise, Mindy and Wade had already left for Greendale International Airport, their luggage packed, their expressions focused.

Their destination—Cracros City.

Unlike Greendale, where wealth was loud and modern—glass skyscrapers, luxury cars lining every street, designer boutiques on every corner—Cracros represented something entirely different.

It was the city of old money.

Centuries-old stone mansions lined the cobblestone streets, each estate carrying generations of history, their iron gates bearing family crests that dated back hundreds of years. Every building seemed untouched by time, preserving elegant architecture—Gothic spires, Baroque facades, Renaissance courtyards—that could never be recreated. Families here didn’t merely possess wealth.

They possessed legacy.

Luxury was ordinary in Cracros. Royalty was the standard.

The famous Ashridge Auction would begin tomorrow—an event that drew collectors, aristocrats, and the world’s elite.

Hosted by one of Cracros’s oldest aristocratic families, the auction featured priceless antiques, Renaissance paintings, royal jewelry, and historical artifacts that collectors around the world competed to own.

Last year’s auction had sold a necklace once worn by a French queen for thirty million dollars.

According to Wade’s investigation, Tori Cooper would be attending.

Mindy wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.

As they entered the airport terminal, the departure hall bustling with early morning travelers, a familiar voice echoed across the space.

"Mindy!"

Both siblings turned.

Ana Bose came jogging toward them, her ponytail bouncing, dragging a small pink suitcase behind her. She threw her arms around Mindy, nearly knocking her backward.

"What are you doing here?"

Mindy laughed, steadying herself. "I should be asking you that."

Ana sighed dramatically, releasing her. "My cousin is getting engaged. My dad practically forced me to come."

She rolled her eyes. "I had plans this weekend, but no—family obligations."

Only then did Mindy’s eyes move beyond Ana.

Andrew Bose walked toward them, carrying his luggage with the ease of someone who traveled frequently. His expression was warm, his suit perfectly pressed despite the early hour.

Behind him, another man followed quietly—tall, lean, with sharp features and wire-rimmed glasses. His movements were measured, his expression polite but unreadable.

The moment Mindy’s gaze landed on him, her entire body stiffened.

Yeager Brooks.

For a split second, her breathing became uneven. Cold sweat formed across her palms, her fingers curling into fists.

Her vision tunneled, the sounds of the airport fading into white noise.

Wade noticed immediately, his hand moving to her elbow. "Mindy? Are you alright?"

She blinked, forcing herself to breathe, and quickly composed herself. Her expression smoothed, her posture straightening. "...Yes. I thought I saw someone."

Ana tilted her head, concerned. "You scared me. You went completely pale."

Then she grinned, the worry disappearing as quickly as it came. "So why are you here?"

"We’re attending the Ashridge Auction."

Ana’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open. "The Ashridge Auction?" She grabbed Mindy’s arm.

"My cousin Eleanor is getting engaged to Theodore Ashridge. So we’ll probably see each other there."

Mindy smiled, her voice steady despite the turmoil beneath. "Looks like it."

Andrew finally reached them, his expression amused. He looked at Ana before shaking his head helplessly.

"The moment she saw you, she completely forgot she even had a father."

Mindy laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Good morning, Mr. Bose."

Wade greeted him politely as well, his tone respectful. "Mr. Bose."

Andrew smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling. "Good morning." Then he looked at Mindy with amusement. "I’m convinced this girl likes you more than her own father."

Ana answered without hesitation, her tone matter-of-fact. "That’s true."

Andrew stared at her, his expression caught between disbelief and resignation. "...You little traitor."

The man beside Andrew stepped forward politely, his movements precise. "Miss Wilson." He extended his hand, his smile pleasant but professional.

"It’s an honor. I’m Yeager Brooks. I’ve admired your work for a long time."

Andrew introduced him, his tone casual. "He’s my assistant. He’s accompanying us to the engagement."

Mindy looked at him calmly, her expression neutral. She shook his hand briefly—her grip firm, her touch cold. "Nice to meet you."

Nothing more. Her voice remained perfectly polite. But distant.

Yeager smiled pleasantly, seemingly unaware of the chill in her tone. "The pleasure is mine."

Only Wade noticed the subtle coldness in Mindy’s eyes, the way her jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.

"Come on!" Ana grabbed Mindy’s wrist excitedly, tugging her forward. "We’re all going to Cracros together! This trip won’t be boring anymore."

Without waiting for an answer, she dragged Mindy toward security, chattering about the engagement, the auction, the city.

Andrew sighed, watching them go. "I raised this child."

Wade chuckled quietly before following them, his gaze lingering on Yeager for a moment longer than necessary.

Almost two hours later, everyone had boarded the same flight—a direct route to Cracros, scheduled to land just before noon.

Mindy and Wade sat together in Business Class near the rear cabin, their seats reclined, the cabin quiet and dimly lit.

A few rows ahead, Andrew and Yeager sat side by side, discussing work—quarterly reports, upcoming projects, client meetings. Yeager’s voice was low and measured, his tone deferential.

Behind them, Ana had somehow become friends with the little boy beside her—a six-year-old with messy hair and a tablet clutched in his hands. They were playing a racing game, their voices rising with each lap.

"No! You can’t beat me with that character! You cheated! I’m telling your mother!"

The boy protested loudly, his face red. "I didn’t cheat! You just suck!"

Several passengers looked over, some amused, others annoyed.

Andrew covered his face with one hand, his shoulders shaking. "I don’t know whose daughter she is."

Mindy barely heard any of it. Her attention remained fixed on the man sitting several rows ahead, his profile visible through the gap between the seats.

Yeager Brooks.

In her previous life, he had destroyed Bose Media from within.

He had married Ana—swept her off her feet with charm and patience, playing the role of the devoted husband.

Earned Andrew’s complete trust—became indispensable, the son Andrew never had. Slowly manipulated the shareholders—whispered doubts, planted seeds of discord, turned allies into enemies.

Then seized the company piece by piece—hostile takeover disguised as a rescue.

By the time anyone realized what was happening, everything belonged to him. Andrew had died of a heart attack six months later, broken and betrayed.

Ana had been left with nothing—no company, no inheritance, no family legacy.

This time, Mindy wouldn’t allow history to repeat itself.

She closed her eyes, taking a slow breath, her hands resting on the armrests.

Beside her, Wade spoke quietly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "Something’s bothering you. You’ve been staring at him since we boarded."

Mindy remained silent for a moment, her eyes still closed. Then she looked at him, her expression serious. "Wade."

"Do you trust me?"

He answered immediately, without hesitation. "With my life."

She smiled faintly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "That man. Yeager Brooks. He’s dangerous."

Wade frowned, his gaze sharpening. "You know him?"

"...Not personally. I just know." She paused, choosing her words carefully.

"I can’t explain it yet. But someday, I promise I will."

She looked directly into his eyes, her voice steady. "During this trip, if he tries getting close to Ana, help her. Protect her."

Wade studied her expression carefully—the set of her jaw, the intensity in her gaze. There wasn’t even a hint of uncertainty. Only seriousness.

He nodded once, his voice firm. "You don’t have to ask twice. I’ll keep an eye on him."

For the first time since seeing Yeager, Mindy relaxed, her breathing evening out.

Nearly ninety minutes later, the plane landed in Cracros, the wheels touching down smoothly on the private runway reserved for international flights.

The cool autumn air greeted them as they exited the airport—crisp and clean, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and distant rain.

The sky was overcast, the clouds heavy and gray, casting the city in muted tones.

Andrew and Ana left for the Cooper family estate, a sprawling manor on the outskirts of the city, its grounds surrounded by ancient oak trees.

Mindy and Wade headed toward their hotel—the Grand Belmont, a five-star establishment in the heart of Cracros’s historic district, its facade a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture.

Tomorrow, the auction would begin.

After checking into the hotel—a suite on the twelfth floor with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city—Mindy took a quick shower, letting the hot water wash away the tension of the day.

She had barely finished drying her hair, wrapping herself in the hotel’s plush robe, when her phone rang.

Matthias King.

A smile appeared on her face almost instantly, unbidden and genuine. She answered, her voice soft. "Hi."

Matthias’s voice sounded unusually serious, though there was a hint of amusement beneath. "Did you run away to Cracros just to avoid me?"

Mindy blinked, caught off guard. "...What?"

"You never told me you were leaving."

She laughed softly, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Are you sulking?"

"I’m not." A brief pause. "...Maybe a little."

She couldn’t help laughing, the sound light and warm. "It was a last-minute decision."

"If I’d known earlier, I would’ve come with you."

"You couldn’t. You had work."

A soft smile touched Matthias’s voice on the other end of the call.

"Nothing is more important than you."

Mindy shook her head, smiling. "I’ll only be here for a few days."

"If you need anything," Matthias said, his voice turning serious, "I know people from the Valecroft family. They’re close to the Ashridges. Just tell me."

"I will."

A comfortable silence followed, the kind that didn’t need to be filled.

Then Matthias spoke again, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Get some rest. And..." He paused. "...dream about me."

Mindy burst into laughter, her hand covering her mouth. "Matthias! I never imagined you were this cheesy."

"I’m not. I meant every word."

Her smile softened, her voice quiet. "...Good night."

"Good night."

A knock came at her hotel room door, sharp and deliberate.

Wade entered, carrying several files—thick folders filled with documents, photographs, floor plans. His expression was focused, all business.

"I’ve finalized tomorrow’s schedule. We should go through the plan once."

Mindy nodded, the smile disappearing from her face, replaced by cold determination. Tomorrow wasn’t just another auction. It was the beginning of something much bigger.

She opened the file, spreading the documents across the coffee table.

"Let’s begin."

Just as they began reviewing the first page—a detailed layout of the auction house—Mindy’s phone rang again.

Layla.

Mindy glanced at the screen, then put the phone on speaker, setting it on the table. "Yes, Layla?"

Layla’s voice came through, serious and tight. "Mindy, I found something."

Wade looked up immediately, his attention sharpening. "What?"

Layla continued, her tone grim. "I went over all the ledgers for the past six years. The numbers aren’t right. Someone had adjusted the ledgers."

Mindy’s jaw tightened, her hands stilling on the documents. "You mean someone is taking money from the company?"

"Yes." Layla paused, her voice dropping. "And Mindy, it’s bad. There are still a few ledgers I haven’t finished, but someone is definitely embezzling. Huge amounts. Millions."

Mindy’s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. "Okay. Be careful. If someone embezzled, then they’re still in the company. And let’s check the people closest to Emily and Missy."

She ended the call, her finger pressing the screen with more force than necessary.

She looked at Wade, her expression cold.

Wade leaned back, his arms crossed. "Let’s focus on the auction first. I’ll send Sienna to help Layla."

Sienna Collin—Wade’s assistant, sharp, efficient, and utterly loyal.

Mindy nodded, her jaw set. "Good."

She turned back to the files, her mind already racing.

Tomorrow, they would face Tori Cooper.

But the rot in Rona Design ran deeper than she’d thought.

And she would burn it all out.