C540 I Want Peace

Alicia laughed softly. “If you want answers, then tell your dogs to leave. They might hear things they shouldn't.” She tilted her head, studying Hanna's face. “So, what will it be, Ann Smith?” Hanna's expression hardened at the name, but she didn't argue. After a brief moment, she turned towards the men standing nearby. “Everyone, leave us.” Charlie frowned. “Me as well?” Hanna nodded. “Yes. Wait outside.” Charlie reluctantly turned towards the door, but before leaving, she stopped and glared at Alicia. “I will avenge my uncle. You killed him, so I will kill you.” For a moment, Alicia felt panic rise within her. Charlie's hatred was genuine, and Alicia knew she was dealing with someone who wouldn't hesitate to carry out her threat. However, she quickly composed herself. Showing fear would accomplish nothing. Charlie finally walked out, and the door closed behind her. Silence settled over the room. For the first time Alicia and Hanna were alone. Hanna leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Alicia. “Now, answer my questions. Why didn't you take the shot when you had the chance? And why did you kill my father? I never touched your father.” Alicia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her head was still aching from the blow that had knocked her unconscious, but she forced herself to concentrate. “Hanna, are you doing drugs now?” she asked incredulously. “You're a member of the Gupta family. Have you forgotten that?”

Hanna remained silent. Alicia continued, “Your father's death was a consequence of your own actions. You killed the father of someone on my team. That man wasn't just someone's father; he was an innocent person whose life you took. What did you expect me to do? Pretend nothing had happened?” She paused, watching Hanna's reaction. “And as for you killing Emmanuel…” Her voice faltered briefly at the mention of her son. “When I had the chance to kill you, I considered everything you had done. I thought about the pain you caused me and my family. But in the end, I chose to save your life instead.” Hanna frowned. “Why?” She studied Alicia suspiciously before asking another question. “Did you allow my men to capture you on purpose?” Alicia nodded. “Yes.” For a moment, Hanna simply stared at her, apparently struggling to understand what she had heard. “You're telling me that you deliberately allowed my men to take you?” “Yes, Hanna.” “Why would you do something so stupid?” “Because I'm tired.” Alicia's answer was so quiet that Hanna almost seemed to miss it. “I'm tired of this life, Hanna. I never wanted any of it. All I wanted was to avenge my mother, but look at where that decision has brought us.” She lowered her eyes briefly before looking back at Hanna. “Through my search for answers, I discovered my mother's family. I found you, Grandpa Miller, Victor, and the rest of the Gupta family. I thought finding them would help me understand where I came from. Instead, I inherited power, and that power brought me even more enemies.”

Her voice grew heavier as she continued. “You killed my innocent son. Do you have any idea what that did to me? My family wants revenge, and I understand why. They want you to suffer for what you've done. But if they kill you, what do you think your family will do? They'll demand revenge too. And then another person will die, and another family will be left grieving.” Alicia shook her head. “This will never end if we continue living like this.” Hanna's expression remained unreadable, but she was listening. “By now, everyone knows you've kidnapped me,” Alicia continued. “Do you honestly believe you can remain hidden forever? How long are you going to keep pretending to be Ann Smith? How long can you live under a false name, running a criminal organisation while avoiding everyone who knows who you really are?” For the first time, Hanna appeared genuinely unsettled. Alicia leaned forward as far as the ropes allowed. “You can kill me, Hanna. I won't pretend that my death wouldn't hurt my family. My husband will want revenge, just as my family wants revenge for everything you've done. And if he kills you, your family will come after him.” She paused, allowing her words to sink in. “Do you see the problem? We keep hurting each other, and we call it justice. But all we're doing is creating more reasons for the next person to seek revenge.” Hanna remained quiet. Alicia looked directly into her eyes. “That's why I needed to speak to you alone. I didn't come here to threaten you or beg you to spare my life. I came because I want to give us both a chance to end this before there's nothing left of either family.”

Hanna slowly leaned back in her chair. “I'm listening.” Alicia nodded, grateful that Hanna hadn't dismissed her proposal outright. “You know I never understood the history behind Gold and Diamond. I didn't know what possessing the dagger would mean when I first became involved in all this. I never intended to lead the Gupta army, and I certainly never wanted to become the reason the family was divided.” She paused. “You were happy with your family before Gold and Diamond was claimed. Whatever disagreements existed between you and the others, you were still part of that family. But once the dagger became involved, everything changed.” Alicia glanced down at the ropes binding her before meeting Hanna's gaze again. “I know I can't change the past. I can't bring back your father, and you can't bring back my son. But Grandpa Miller told me he wanted to speak to both of us. Perhaps there's still a way to settle things before this war destroys everyone.” Hanna let out a short laugh. “You make it sound so simple.” “I'm not saying it will be simple.” “Then what exactly are you suggesting?” Alicia swallowed before answering. “I'm offering you peace.” Hanna raised an eyebrow. “Peace?” “Yes. Now that I know you're running the Harris Cartel, I can keep that information to myself. I won't expose your identity or tell the Gupta family what you're doing. You can continue with your business, and you can even bring your old subordinates back into your organisation.”

Hanna's eyes narrowed as she considered the offer. “And what do you want in return?” “Nothing more than peace.” “Nothing?” Alicia shook her head. “I won't close the border route you're using. I won't punish Stacy for allowing your men to pass through it. I'll make sure the Gupta family doesn't learn about your drug business from me.” Hanna stared at her. Then her expression changed. “How do you know about Stacy?” Alicia smiled faintly. “I know more than you think, Hanna. But that's not the point. I'm offering you a way to continue your life without having to look over your shoulder every time someone discovers your identity.” She held Hanna's gaze. “So, do you accept?” For several seconds, Hanna didn't respond. Alicia waited, hoping her words had reached the woman beneath the anger and bitterness. Finally, Hanna spoke. “Alicia, you seem to have forgotten something.” Alicia frowned. “What?” “You didn't just kill my father. You also killed Charlie's uncle.” Alicia sighed. “And that brings us to the reason you and Charlie are now leading the Harris Cartel, doesn't it?” Hanna's expression tightened. “What are you trying to say?” “I'm saying that you and Charlie have both gained something from the deaths you're holding against me. You have an organisation to run, and Charlie has an opportunity to become rich and powerful. You can explain the situation to her. She may be angry now, but she doesn't understand the world we live in as well as you do.” “Don't underestimate her,” Hanna warned. “I'm not. But I believe you can convince her that continuing this war will only leave both of you with more enemies.”

Hanna fell silent again, weighing Alicia's words. “You're offering to keep the Harris Cartel's existence a secret, leave my border route open, and protect my business from the Gupta family,” she said slowly. “All for peace?” Alicia nodded. “That's right.” Hanna studied her for a long moment. “And you expect me to believe that you want nothing else?” Alicia hesitated. “There is one more thing.” Hanna's expression immediately hardened. “I knew it. What is it?” Alicia took another breath. “I want you to help me unite the Gupta armies.” Hanna stared at her. “Unite the armies?” “Yes. The First Family's army and the Third Family's army must stop treating each other as enemies. The division within our family has gone on long enough.” Alicia shifted in her chair, wincing slightly as the ropes pressed against her wrists. “I originally thought I would ask you to return to the border with me so we could bring the two armies together. But we don't have to settle everything today. We can discuss that later, once we've established some trust.” She looked at Hanna earnestly. “For now, I only ask for peace. No more attempts on my life. No more attacks against my family. No more turning every disagreement into another reason to kill.” Alicia paused. “We've both lost people we loved. We can't change that, and we can't undo the things we've done. But we can decide what happens next.” Hanna looked away, her jaw tightening. It was an offer Hanna had never expected. She slowly turned back towards Alicia. “And if I refuse?”

Alicia held her gaze. “Then you can kill me, Hanna. But you'll have to live with the consequences. My husband will come for you. My family will come for you. And yours will eventually demand answers from you. You already know how this ends.” She swallowed. “I'm not asking you to forgive me for your father's death. I'm not asking you to forget Emmanuel or pretend that nothing happened. I'm asking you to consider whether another death will solve anything.” Hanna said nothing. Alicia waited, her heart pounding beneath her calm exterior. She had taken a tremendous risk by allowing herself to be captured. She had placed her life in the hands of the very woman who had destroyed her family, trusting that Hanna might still be capable of listening. But there was no guarantee that her gamble would pay off. Finally, Hanna rose from her chair and walked towards the window. For a long moment, she stared outside without speaking. Then she turned around. “You really believe we can end this?” Alicia nodded. “I wouldn't have come here if I didn't.” Hanna's eyes narrowed slightly. “And you expect me to trust you?” “No,” Alicia replied honestly. “Not immediately. Trust has to be earned. But peace has to start somewhere.” Hanna studied her for another moment before glancing towards the door, where Charlie and the others were waiting. When she looked back at Alicia, her expression revealed nothing. “I'll think about your proposal.” It wasn't an acceptance. But it wasn't a refusal either.