The CEO's Secret Obsession-Chapter 103: Olivia’s Game

[The Grand Palace Hotel]

Instead of heading home after work, Jack decided to stay in a hotel for a couple of days as he didn’t want to face Benjamin. Things were too raw and he wanted to avoid his father who was currently in high alert.

But he was still very anxious as things were accelerating very quickly and he didn’t have a plan.

His initial plan had taken a wrong turn. All he wanted to do was sabotage the project enough to halt it for a few months. But he underestimated the situation and failed to understand how important the project was to the company.

Jack was halfway through pacing his hotel room when his phone buzzed.

It was an unknown number but he knew exactly who it was.

His chest tightened and answered immediately.

"Talk."

There was a pause on the other end. Then a shaky breath.

"Mr. Reid... I—I am sorry for calling so late."

Jack froze, "Why are you calling me?"

The man swallowed hard and Jack could almost hear it.

"They caught someone," the man said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jack’s grip tightened around the phone. "Who?"

"A man. He is an outsider. Night guards picked him up near the restricted zone. He was trying to get inside again."

Jack’s heart stuttered. "Again?"

"Yes," the man said quickly. "He admitted to sabotaging the site and said he tampered with the construction steps. He also said he was paid very well."

Jack’s mind raced. This was definitely not a part of his plan.

"Did he mention my name?" Jack asked with his voice dangerously calm.

"No—no," the man rushed. "He said he was paid in cash and he has no number, no contact saved, nothing."

Jack exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself. "Good."

"But, sir—" the man hesitated. "Alexander Reid doesn’t believe him."

Jack’s jaw clenched. "Of course he doesn’t."

"He asked too many questions," the man continued, panic seeping through. "He kept saying why would the saboteur return knowing the site was under investigation and why would he risk getting caught again?"

Jack’s fingers curled into a fist. "And what did you say?"

"I—" the man’s voice cracked. "I suggested it might be a competitor. Someone trying to slow the project deliberately. I thought it made sense." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Silence stretched.

Jack stared at the dark window, his reflection pale and unfamiliar.

"I didn’t send anyone else," Jack said finally. "You understand that, right?"

The man went quiet and then he said, "I know."

That answer made Jack’s stomach drop.

"Then how did this man—"

"I don’t know," the man whispered. "But someone wanted this mess contained and it was someone with resources."

....

[Reid Mansion—Benjamin’s study]

Benjamin stood by the floor-to-ceiling window with the city lights blurring into streaks beneath the glass as his phone rested against his ear.

Alexander’s voice came through steady and controlled but Benjamin heard the strain beneath it.

"They caught someone," Alexander said. "Trespassing near the Heinberg site perimeter."

Benjamin’s fingers tightened around the phone. "Caught how?"

"Night security," Alexander replied. "The man tried to access restricted equipment again. It was the same sector that triggered the investigation."

Benjamin turned slowly, eyes narrowing. "Again?"

"Yes," Alexander said. "Which doesn’t make sense. Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t return to an active site under scrutiny."

Benjamin exhaled through his nose. "What did he say?"

"He confessed," Alexander replied. "Claimed he sabotaged the site for money that a man paid him in cash. He doesn’t have a number or any contact with the man."

He paused for a while then added, "The man said he came back because he thought he left evidence behind."

Benjamin closed his eyes briefly. Everything sounded too clean to be true.

"Did he identify anyone?" Benjamin asked.

"No," Alexander said. "We showed him Jack’s photo and he denied it. Swore it wasn’t him."

Silence stretched and neither of them said anything but both of them knew, this wasn’t what had happened.

"And you believe him?" Benjamin asked even though he already knew the answer.

There was a long pause before Alexander answered. "No and neither does Lucas."

Benjamin glanced at the muted television mounted across the room. The ticker at the bottom of the screen flashed:

BREAKING: TRESPASSER DETAINED AT HEINBERG CONSTRUCTION SITE — SABOTAGE CLAIMED

Benjamin’s jaw clenched.

"The media already has it," he muttered.

Alexander frowned audibly. "Already?"

"It’s running everywhere," Benjamin said. "Which means someone wanted this wrapped up fast."

"I will keep digging," Alexander said. "This explanation is convenient, too convenient."

"I know," Benjamin replied. "Be careful."

The call ended.

Benjamin lowered the phone slowly, unease settling heavy in his chest.

Someone wasn’t just reacting, they were controlling the damage.

.....

Meanwhile, Olivia sat comfortably against the headboard with her silk robe loose around her shoulders and a phone resting lightly against her ear.

Her lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile.

"So?" she asked softly. "Did he get caught?"

A man’s voice answered on the other end, low and confident. "Yes. Just like you said."

Olivia hummed in approval. "Good."

"They think he acted alone," the man continued. "Security caught him trying to access the site again. He confessed and took all the blame."

"No names?" Olivia asked casually, as if discussing dinner reservations.

"None," he replied. "He said he was paid in cash by a mysterious man and doesn’t know who really paid him."

Her smile deepened. "Excellent."

There was a pause, then the man asked, "You are sure this will hold?"

Olivia glanced toward the window, the city lights reflecting coldly in her eyes.

"For now," she said. "They are smart. Especially Alexander, he won’t believe it."

Alexander was too smart to fall for the cheap trick she had thrown.

"And if he doesn’t?"

Olivia’s fingers tightened slightly around the phone.

"Then this won’t be the end," she said calmly. "Just the distraction."

The man cuckold and then asked, "Is your asset safe?"

Olivia let out a soft laugh. "Jack doesn’t even know this happened. Which is exactly how I want it."

"That risky?"

She smiled, slow and sharp. "No, useful."

There was another pause.

"You’re certain this won’t come back to you?"

Olivia’s voice dropped, smooth as glass. "You can trust my precautions more than you trust yourself."

Silence followed and then the man said quietly, "Understood."

Olivia ended the call without another word.

She set the phone aside and leaned back with her eyes closed.

A scapegoat sat in custody in Alexander’s watch and Jack Reid still believed he was losing control which made him easier to manage.

And this is what Olivia exactly wanted.

....