C445 I Will Be The Ghost

Hanna's expression changed into a small, mysterious smile. “Mrs. Kinlore, you're wasting time.” Charlie frowned. “You will know exactly who I am if you agree to what I'm about to ask you.” Hanna leaned back slightly. “But before we continue, you should know one thing.” Her expression became colder. “Alicia and Mike are my enemies too.” Charlie stared at her. That was enough to convince her that Hanna wasn't simply offering information. There was something else behind this meeting. Charlie clenched her fists. “Yes.” Hanna raised an eyebrow. “Yes, what?” “I want to avenge my uncle.” Charlie's voice trembled with anger. “I will kill them. I want Alicia and Mike to know how it feels to lose someone they love.” Hanna studied her carefully. “You want to kill them?” Charlie nodded. “Or do you want them to feel what you felt?” Charlie hesitated. She thought about the news of Willy's death. She thought about visiting his estate and seeing the police everywhere. She thought about the fact that her uncle was gone and that someone else had taken his life. Finally, she nodded. “Either way.” Her eyes became cold. “As long as I avenge my uncle.”

Hanna smiled. “Well, if that's the case, then perhaps we should start with rebuilding what your uncle had.” Charlie looked confused. “Rebuilding what?” “The Harris Cartel.” Charlie's eyes widened. For a moment, excitement appeared on her face. The thought of rebuilding her uncle's empire immediately caught her attention. She had been thinking about it the past few days. But Hanna wasn't finished. “However…” Charlie's expression changed. “This time, I will be the one running it.” Charlie frowned. Hanna continued calmly. "Which is why I'm offering you twenty percent.” She paused. “I will take eighty percent.” Charlie's expression hardened. Twenty percent? She knew finance. She understood numbers. And she knew immediately that an eighty-twenty split was extremely unfair. Hanna noticed her reaction. “You think twenty percent is too little.” Charlie didn't answer. Hanna smiled. “But listen to what I'm offering you.” She leaned forward. “The only thing I need from you is to be the face of everything.”

Charlie looked at her carefully. “It may look like you're the boss.” Hanna continued. “You will have the authority to make decisions. You will have access to the money you need. You will have whatever resources you require.” She paused. "And you will receive your twenty percent.” Charlie remained silent. “For someone who won't actually be running the operation behind the scenes,” Hanna said, “twenty percent will be more than enough.” Charlie frowned. “Miss… what exactly does this mean?” Hanna smiled. “Charlie, just call me Ann.” Charlie nodded slowly. “Ann.” Hanna relaxed slightly. “Right now, everyone believes the Harris Cartel has fallen.” She began explaining the situation. “Many of your uncle's men are dead. The ones who survived were arrested. His organisation has been destroyed.” Charlie nodded. Hanna continued. “But that doesn't mean the business has disappeared.” Charlie listened carefully. Hanna asked. “Do you have any contacts from your uncle's organisation?”

Charlie thought for a moment. “I only know Alvaro Gonzalez.” Hanna's eyes sharpened. “Alvaro Gonzalez?” Charlie nodded. “He sent four of his men to help my uncle.” She lowered her eyes. “But they were killed as well.” Hanna smiled. “Then that's where we start.” Charlie looked at her. “You don't have to worry about anything.” Hanna spoke with confidence. “We will rebuild your uncle's empire together.” Charlie listened. “If you agree to the twenty percent I offered you, I will find the men we need to continue distributing your uncle's merchandise.” Charlie remained silent. “I will provide weapons for the organisation.” Hanna continued. “The men I bring in will answer to you. They will protect you with their lives. They will make sure everyone believes you're the one running the cartel.” Charlie slowly nodded. “And I can provide routes for the shipment of the merchandise from whoever we purchase it from.”

Charlie looked at Hanna carefully. “You've already planned everything.” Hanna smiled. “I don't like wasting time.” She stood up. “But there is something you must remember.” Charlie looked up. “I won't always be here.” Hanna's voice became serious. “When I'm absent, you will run the business.” She pointed toward Charlie. “If anyone asks, you are the boss.” Charlie nodded. “And you?” “You don't know me.” Charlie stared at her. “You mean I'm supposed to pretend we've never met?” “Yes.” Hanna smiled. “You will be the face.” She tapped her chest lightly. “And I will remain behind it.” Charlie was quiet for several seconds. Then she finally nodded. “I agree.” Hanna smiled. “But I have one question.” “Ask.” Charlie looked directly into her eyes. “Tell me your real aim.” Hanna's smile disappeared. “Is this really about taking my uncle's business?” Charlie paused. “Or are you doing this because my uncle's killers are your enemies?” Hanna considered the question. Then she smiled. “A bit of both.”

Charlie remained silent. Hanna explained. “Your uncle's business will disappear if we don't act.” She gestured toward the city. “Everyone believes the Harris Cartel has collapsed. If we do nothing, another dealer will move in and take control of the market.” She looked back at Charlie. “I don't intend to let that happen.” “And Alicia and Michael?” Hanna's expression hardened. “They took something that belongs to me.” Charlie noticed the change in her voice. “I won't let them get away with it.” Charlie nodded slowly. “So where do I sign?” Hanna smiled. “You don't.” Charlie frowned. “When do we start?” “Soon.” Hanna walked toward the door. “We won't sign anything.” Charlie looked confused. “Why?” “I don't want anything that can link me to you.” Hanna's voice was calm. “I choose to remain a ghost.” She turned toward Charlie. “You will be the face of the operation. Your name will be attached to everything.” Charlie swallowed. “And you?” “Nothing will lead back to me.” Hanna smiled. “I'll contact you when we're ready.” Charlie thought for a moment. “When?” Hanna shook her head. “I will go and see Alvaro Gonzalez tomorrow.” Charlie's eyes widened slightly. “You know him?” “No but I will find out.” Hanna nodded. “That will be our first step.”

Charlie suddenly became concerned. “But how do I know you'll actually give me the twenty percent?” Hanna looked at her. “How do I know I can trust you?” Charlie waited. “How will I know you're not simply using me?” Hanna smiled. “You won't.” Charlie frowned. Hanna stood up. “But don't worry.” She walked toward Destroyer. “I'm not stingy with money.” She glanced back at Charlie. “Your twenty percent will be given to you from every shipment we sell.” Charlie remained silent. Hanna and Destroyer began walking away. Charlie suddenly remembered something. “Ann!” Hanna stopped. Charlie hurried after them. “You brought me here.” She pointed back toward the hotel. “I left my car at your hotel. Won't you take me back with you?” Hanna shook her head. “No.” Charlie looked surprised. “Why?” Hanna pointed toward the road. “There are too many cameras.” Charlie looked around. Hanna continued. “Take a taxi.” Charlie stared at her.

Hanna gave her one final warning. “Just as I said, I will remain a ghost.” She gestured toward Charlie. "You will be the one standing in front.” Hanna and Destroyer got into their car. The vehicle pulled away. Charlie stood there watching. She remained still until the car disappeared from sight. Only then did she realise that Hanna had deliberately left her behind. There would be no connection between them. No witnesses. No paperwork. No messages that could easily lead back to Hanna. Charlie slowly looked down the road. Then she raised her hand and waved toward an approaching taxi. As the taxi stopped, she opened the door and got inside. She had come to the meeting wanting revenge. Now she had something much bigger. A chance to rebuild the Harris Cartel. And somewhere in the shadows, a woman calling herself Ann had promised to help her do it. Charlie had no idea that the woman she had just agreed to work with had her own secret war. And Alicia and Mike were at the centre of it.