#196 “The Ring for Evelyn.”


    Early in the morning, Alexander and Sophia arrived at the quaint café where they were meeting Kyle.


    The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as they entered, greeted by Kyle’s frown at


    the sight of Sophia.


    “What is she doing here? You said you were going to keep it a secret,” Kyle started, skipping the usual


    pleasantries and getting straight to the point.


    “I can’t just leave her out. If you think you’ll do better,e on in,” Alexander retorted, his tone tinged


    with irritation as he gestured for Sophia to join them.


    “You really weren’t going to include me in the surprise for Evelyn?” Sophia intervened, taking a seat at


    the table with a hint of exasperation.


    “How do I know you won’t spill the beans? You two share everything,” Kyle countered, skepticism


    evident in his voice.


    “Because I wouldn’t ruin my best friend’s engagement party,” Sophia retorted, crossing her arms in


    defiance. “Plus, I already know, and I want to help.”


    Kyle nced at Alexander, silently debating whether to include Sophia. Eventually, he let out a


    resigned sigh and began exining the n to her. After hashing out the basic details and receiving


    input from both Sophia and Alexander, Kyle’s expression turned thoughtful.


    “There’s one more thing I want to address before we finalize everything,” Kyle announced, drawing


    their attention.


    “What could that be? I thought we covered everything?” Sophia replied, confusion evident as she


    flipped through the notes in her notebook.


    “The ring for Evelyn,” Alexander chimed in with augh, already guessing what Kyle was about to bring


    up.


    “Bingo,” Kyle agreed with a nod. “I want to give her the family heirloom ring, but there’s a slight snag.”


    “What’s the snag?” Sophia asked, her curiosity piqued.


    “The ring is a legacy from my mother,” Kyle exined, his voice tinged with emotion. “But it’s stored in


    the family house.”


    Sophia’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ” Wait, isn’t that the same ce that’s, you know, associated


    with…?” she trailed off, not wanting to say the word ‘ mafia’ aloud.


    Kyle nodded solemnly. “Yes, it’s also a stronghold for the mafia. And despite my leaving the


    organization, I’m not exactly wee there anymore.”


    Alexander interjected, his tone thoughtful. “What if you bring a bodyguard with you? Someone to watch


    your back while you retrieve the ring. I can put you in touch with…”


    “No,” Kyle snapped. “That’s not how things work when you’re involved with the mob. I must go alone, or


    it will be considered weakness and fear. I shouldn’t look worried. However, I have a rtive of the


    elders in the mafia who can help me.”


    Sophia looked concerned. “Are you sure about this, Kyle? It sounds risky.”


    Kyle offered her a reassuring smile. ” I’ve dealt with them before. I know how to handle the situation.”


    Alexander leaned forward, his expression serious. “Can you also ask him about the stolen documents


    from Sophia’s home that I asked you for?”


    “Of course. I’ll even call him right now, “Kyle affirmed, pulling out his phone.


    The tension was palpable as Kyle dialed the number of the mob elder, his fingers trembling slightly with


    apprehension. After a few rings, the call connected, and Kyle wasted no time in getting to the point.


    “Hey, it’s me,” Kyle began, his voice tinged with urgency. “I need ess to the house. I…uh…need to


    take care of something regarding the inheritance. Can you help me out?”


    There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the mob elder’s heartyughter filled the


    air. “Ah, Kyle, always so secretive,” he chuckled. “But don’t worry, I’ll sort it out for you.”


    Relief flooded through Kyle as he thanked the man profusely. But before he could end the call, he had


    one more matter to address.


    “Listen,” Kyle continued, his tone more serious now. “There’s something else I need to talk to you


    about. A week ago, some documents went missing from awyer Sophia Johnson’s house. I have


    suspicions that it is rted to the mafia.”


    The man remained silent on the other end of the line, his silence stretching on for what felt like an


    eternity. Kyle’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited for a response.


    Finally, the mob elder spoke, his voice low and measured. “I have heard about Sophia Johnson,” he


    said cryptically.


    Kyle’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ” You do?” he eximed, caught off guard by the revtion.


    The mob elder nodded, though Kyle couldn’t see the gesture over the phone. “And if anyone needs


    information from me, they cane and ask me personally,” he dered, his tone leaving no room for


    argument.


    Kyle nced over at Alexander, who was listening intently to the conversation. With a silent nod from


    Alexander, Kyle knew they had no choice but to agree to the mob elder’s terms.


    “Alright,” Kyle replied, his voice filled with resignation. “I’ll pass on the message.”


    As he hung up the phone, Kyle could feel Sophia’s gaze burning into him. He knew she didn’t approve


    of their dealings with the mafia, but they had no other option if they wanted to get to the bottom of the


    missing documents.


    With a heavy sigh, Kyle began to arrange a meeting between Alexander and the mob elder for the


    following morning, hoping against hope that it wouldn’t end in disaster.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.