Hating The Mafia King

37: Mystery Man

Someone is out there, but I don't know who he is, what he does, or how he does it. All I know is that he wants to bring Richie down. Which is a good thing, though I am confused as to how he did it. The only way to leak that information is by getting the original receipt of Richie's transaction with Lai Shenyang which is highly impossible because all important receipts are either kept in Richie's office cabinet or the study room. And there isn't a chance that a random stranger walked into the study room and took an important receipt without being caught. So it's gotta be someone from the office or someone here at home, although I don't think any of Richie's relatives will do this to him especially since it doesn't only affect him but them as well.

I have been pacing around the room for over two minutes trying to put two in two together. It doesn't make much sense that someone took the receipt from the office and even if it's possible then who could it be? And how? Richie is the only one who has the keys to every cabinet with important documents. How could someone just get the receipts out of it?

So many thoughts poured into my brain like a tidal wave and I grunt falling back onto the bed. I think about it over and over again but I don't seem to find a suitable conclusion. I release a heavy sigh wondering why this is so difficult to understand. I can't figure out who could be behind this. At first, I thought the Russians were behind this but after thinking it through, I realize it can't be them. They don't have access to things like this, it can't be possible that they came into the office and took the receipt without anyone knowing.

I roll over to pick up my phone and as I do, the first thing I see is a notification from the New York Times newspaper saying that "Richard Maranzano allegedly collaborating with wanted terrorist Lai Shenyang."

I groan, this is the tenth time I'm reading something like this. I think this news is on every newspaper and news channel. I enter my Twitter app and came across so many tweets about Richie. Some were siding with him saying that it's just allegedly not confirmed while some claimed that Richie needs to be investigated and interrogated by special forces. So many people tweeted horrible things about Richie.

I am supposed to be happy about Richie's downfall but I'm not. Whoever is behind this stole my thunder, I'm meant to be the one ruining Richie, not someone else. Though, I don't have any complaints, it's not easy to hold back anger and I respect his actions.

The fact that this mysterious person is a step ahead of me is very concerning. I mean what if he finds out who I am and decides to tell Richie? The thought of that makes my heart thud in my chest. I immediately wave off the unsettling feeling. I don't think the mystery guy will do that, if he truly hates Richie he won't help him, instead he will let me do whatever I want. I hope so.

I'm lost in my thoughts when a sudden knock at the door startles me. I quickly sit up and call out, "Come in."

The door slowly opens, revealing one of the maids. She appears to be quite young, maybe a little older than me. Her blonde hair is neatly tied back in a bun, and her uniform dress catches my attention—it's shorter than what I'm accustomed to seeing on the maids here. I can't help but wonder if she's a new addition to the staff.

"Miss Rachel," she says softly

I nod, acknowledging her presence. "Yes?"

"Dinner is ready," she informs me.

"Okay, I'll be down in a minute," I reply, grateful for the reminder. She nods and exits the room.

Before heading down, I step out onto the balcony to inform Richie about dinner. As expected, he's engrossed in a call, speaking in Italian with his usual seriousness.