His Contractual Mistress

A few days ago...

While the women had their regular meeting in the evening, the knights had their discussion in the private lounge. 

Sitting across from each other: Pitt, Bruce, Tom, Keith, Hansen, and this time, Gigi's brother, Maynard Chan, joined them.

"I think we have to do something soon," Keith began the discussion. 

Pitt placed his mug on the coffee table and sat upright. He swept his eyes to the five men in front of him before he gave his opinion. 

"I'm thinking the same as well. We are too tight in watching the Princess and Gigi against the Huo cousin. To settle the problem between the Princess and Liam, we have to make a plan to stop Liam from persuading the princess. We have to end his obsession, and so, we had to set a trap for him." 

"You suggest that we should let Liam get near the princess?" Maynard guessed, and Pitt nodded. 

"If we didn't introduce her to the Underground World, Liam wouldn't meet her again." Tom expressed his thoughts as he remembers the past. 

On the sideline, Bruce is only listening to their conversation. He became a knight just recently. He only knew little about the Princess. Even so, he's ready to give his life to protect her. The princess has a pure heart. She's sweet, and she's willing to protect the people that are dear to her.

This passing week, they've successfully ensured her safety. However, it will take a while to settle between Liam's case if they would not do something. And he wants to end it as well as soon as possible. He's been witnessing how it affects the Princess. He could not bear the sadness in her eyes he caught sometimes. 

The princess shows that she's fine all this time, but the truth is she was too bothered because of Liam. In fact, she has been restless lately.

Thinking about it, Bruce heaves a long sigh. Then, he shrugs his worries to focus on listening further to the meeting.

"We have to do something, and it should be sooner," Hansen suggested. "The princess is slowly revealing her identity to the world. Fortunately, only a few people know who Hailee Davies is." 

"I will talk to someone to help us trap Liam," Pitt announced; he glanced at Bruce with meaningful stares. Then, he swept his gaze to the other men to meet their eyes. "I need to meet someone. I'll go talk to him tomorrow morning after the Princess arrives here safely."

"So? What is our initial plan?" Hansen queried curiously. He wanted to end this as well, so he has peace of mind going back to Korea soon. 

"Starting tomorrow, we will reduce the security that escorts the princess. We do that for days to make Liam believe we are slacking on watching the princess. We must show the Huo cousins that we are busy with many things," Pitt explained.

"Then that means you have to prepare yourself, Bruce," Keith advises him. 

The guy nodded and assured them, "I am always ready." 

"That's great." Pitt is satisfied with his reply. However, he needs to trust him and rely on his strength. "You and the princess will leave the penthouse to head to the office, like usual. It will be less of a convoy, but we will monitor her through the CCTVs in the street." 

Pitt then moved his attention to his cousin. He went on, "It will be your job to set up all the computers we need, Hansen." 

"No problem," Hansen responded with confidence. It was what he was good at, so this is his moment to share his ideas. "We need a place to set up the computer. It's better if we could set up a room on one of these floors, but it would be best if we could directly have access to the Security Monitoring Room." 

"What do you think, Keith?" Pitt asked his opinion. He knew better around here in Metro City among them. 

"I guess we should borrow this building's monitoring room. As well, we should set up our computers to connect to the security cameras around the city, particularly in this area." 

"That's a brilliant plan, but who's going to talk to Mr. Shen?" Tom asked. "I mean, he already knows about the princess's real identity but not about Liam, right?" 

"That is what I'm going to do starting tonight. We need someone's help. So everyone must be prepared." Pitt declared, they all nodded at him. 

*

The following morning, Pitt drove his bronze Zenas Aventador toward Western Bay to meet the person he phoned last night. He gives his name to the vicinity entrance gate, the security guards pass him through. He already notices that there is a car that follows him since he left the penthouse. But the vehicle stopped by the guards at the gate. 

Last night, he requested this person to meet where no one can spy on them. Pitt parked his car at the place he was told to go. He stepped out of the car and walked toward the yacht docked nearby. 

He didn't expect this person would ask him to meet in here, but it was indeed a perfect place to have a meeting. At the boarding ladder, few men welcomed him; one of them asked to follow him inside. 

Pitt scanned the interior of the yacht on their way inside. He could tell how incredible it was. 

He owns a yacht, and it was a luxury one. However, this yacht was grand. He likes how it was well thought. Now he has no doubt why the princess was ecstatic to offer that person several projects in Dream City. He is a great architect. 

Not long after, they arrived at the pool area. He could not help chuckling as he scans the man comfortably lounging on the long sofa; he looks like a professor wearing a black wing collar tuxedo. 

"Hey! How are you doin' man! Or should I address you, Professor?" Pitt greeted the man, who laughed and shook his head. 

"Hey, long time no see, Pitt." 

They hugged and gave each other's back a pat. 

"Yeah. It's been a while." Pitt replied. The guy gestured at him to take a seat; he sat down on the couch across from him. After he settled in, he teases the guy. "So? You're a professor now, huh?" 

"What news you heard around the association, huh?" The man only shrugged his shoulders—none other than Carl. Then, he stood on his feet and offered some drinks to Pitt. "What can I offer to you? Coffee? Or champagne?" 

"Nah. I need not drink any liquor yet. Coffee would do." 

Carl smirked. He strode toward the countertop and took the pot with him with a mug in his other hand. He placed the mug on the table and poured brewed coffee on it. "For you, big brother." 

"I could help myself." Pitt frowned. The hair on his nape rose as he felt creep to see Carl serving him. 

"Nah. I was like the host in this meeting so, let me pour your drink. Still, you are my senior, and I am your junior even after we both became Lords in the association." 

"Hmm… Thanks. Anyway, when do you plan to return to the association?" asked Pitt after he sipped from his mug. 

Carl fell in thought for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders. Then, finally, he answered, "I don't know. Somehow, I grew to like to teach in the university." 

Pitt stares at Carl, who avoids meeting his eyes. Then, after a long silence, he gathers his courage to ask Carl. He may be noisy and short-tempered, but he is sensible enough toward his friends who encounter a sad fact of their life. 

"Are you still thinking about Celestine?" 

"I guess I can't forget her yet because my heart has beat no one yet." His answer, he then looked away, watching the seagulls flying around the port. 

"You sounded like you were ready to open your heart for someone new. Am I right?" Pitt wink at Carl as he grinned. 

The guy rolled his eyes and said, "And where have you become a love expert? Stop making up a story. Let's talk business now! You didn't contact me just to hang out and gossip about me." 

"Come on! It's been a long time since we hung out! But, yeah... I'm here to ask for your help." 

"What kind of help? You know I'm not in the association anymore." 

"But you can still borrow the U Continent members, right? So you still have a voice in the association." 

"Maybe you can talk to your uncle, who is currently a mayor in Metro City." 

"What are you trying to do? If this is related to the association, my uncle doesn't want any hype in his city."

"That is why I am talking to you now. Maybe you can talk to him. He is the present mayor of Metro City. We planned to set a trap for this person who is bothering the princess." 

"Are you talking about the Huo cousins?" 

Pit smiled meaningfully. "I know you already knew about this." 

"They had disturbing activity around. They were following Vincent's girlfriend."

"Yes, I am speaking about the princess's safety. We wanted to get rid of them, so then, the princess will live a peaceful life with your cousin." 

After a long thought, Carl heaves a long sigh. "No wonder she is familiar to me. But I only met her when I was about to leave the association."

"The princess was in grave danger. Until now, her first knight persuaded her, Liam Huo. He is only waiting for the perfect time to kidnap the princess. I'm sure your cousin would not allow that." 

"Vincent would allow no one to steal his girlfriend," Carl asserted with firmness in his tone.