Chapter 373
Anastasia arrived at the top of the mountain with Julian, Alex, and several of Alex’s men. As the van came to a halt, she stepped out, her sharp gaze fixed on the cave ahead. The air was crisp, carrying the faint rustle of leaves from the dense forest surrounding them.
It was the perfect location—remote, concealed by the thick trees, and shrouded in darkness. No one would suspect that an illegal trade was taking place here in the dead of night.
“Alright, let’s go over the plan one more time,” Julian began, his tone firm and steady. “Anastasia will go inside, disguised as a waitress,” he said, turning toward her. His sharp eyes met hers, ensuring she understood the gravity of the task.
“You’ll keep an eye on the clients while we manipulate the CCTV cameras. Once you see anyone approaching the footage room, tap your earpiece and alert us immediately p>
Anastasia nodded, her expression calm but focused, a silent acknowledgment that she understood the risks they were taking tonight.
Anastasia was hyped up about their current mission. At first, she was shocked that Julian agreed to the plan, but never in her wildest thoughts did she think that he had everything completely ready.
Anastasia was already dressed in her waitress outfit which was a simple short black skirt and long sleeves with a bow tie curled on her neck as if it would make her look professional while she led the girls outside after the first phase of their plan was completed.
Instead of black hair on her head, Anastasia was wearing a brown wig, and instead of hazel green eyes, she had gray contact lenses with a huge mole on the side of her lips. Now she was completely unrecognizable.
Julian checked with his men one last time to make sure they understood their role which was having the van ready to leave as soon as they had the girls ready.
“Let’s go p>
Julian led Anastasia into the dark cave. Anastasia didn’t worry about how she would enter the building. Since Julian was the one who organized the trade, sneaking her in as one of the waitresses wasn’t much of a hassle.
They continued to walk until they could finally see several cars parked outside of a building. Anastasia knew it was her cue to separate from Julian and head for the kitchen. She’d memorized the route on the way to Fameville.
Anastasia entered the kitchen, her eyes scanning the room quickly. Several young women, dressed in attire identical to hers, moved swiftly, balancing trays of drinks as they exited the room. A few men, similarly dressed but in long black pants, followed suit, their movements efficient and practiced.
“Hey!! What are you doing standing there? These drinks aren’t going to serve themselves. Come take it quickly and serve it to the guests.” A woman whose voice sounded just as she looked—stern, disturbing, and skin crawling—bellowed. Anastasia grimaced before she rushed to the tray of drinks, trying to avoid bumping into the other waitresses since the kitchen was unbelievably small.
However, as soon as her hands touched them, the woman stopped her.
“Hold up, I haven’t seen you here before.” She said, looking closely at Anastasia like she wanted to see her second skin. She gave her one long look before she released her. “Serve the drinks immediately p>
Without wasting a single moment, Anastasia lifted the drinks and left the small kitchen to the lobby of the party. And just as expected, they were only influential people over there, clicking glasses just as she’d seen at Mr. Justin’s anniversary.
She immediately started moving, serving the drinks while hoping that her disguise was in place. She recognized a few men from Mr. Justin’s party and hoped they didn’t recognize her. It wasn’t like her disguise was easily see-through.
It’s Anastasia’s long before Anastasia saw Julian walking past a few people, leaving the lobby and possibly heading to the footage room to quickly disable the CCTV cameras.
Just when she was about to follow him according to the plan, she immediately hesitated when she recognized someone familiar from the crowd.
A frown settled on her face because she remembered Julian saying Xander wasn’t coming to the trade, which was why they’d even proceeded to make their plan. After all, Julian was in charge of the event.
Anastasia watched Xander from across the room. He looked different, completely emotionless. The Xander she knew always had that mysterious grin stretched on the side of his lips.
Anastasia stylishly tapped on her earbuds like she was keeping some strands of her hair behind her hair.
“I thought you said Xander wasn’t coming,” she said, as she shared a smile with the people who took the last of the drinks on her tray before heading out.
“Xander is not here.” She heard a reply from Julian, and instantly, her stomach sank in fright.
She quickly turned to look at that person one more time, but they’d vanished.
’Was I hallucinating?’ She wondered, placing a hand on her chest. ’Could that have been Xavier p>
Anastasia concluded on hallucinating and left for the footage room where there was a big sign on the front door, spelling out: DO NOT ENTER. All she needed to do was keep a watch out and make sure no one entered inside because Julian and a few people were already inside, monitoring the cameras.
At the lobby where the guests were ready for the trade trio to start so they could start bidding off on some girls, Xavier kept a watch out, especially after sighting a mysterious waitress with an odd-looking mole looking at him.
Xavier was wearing his normal suit and did little to his appearance because he didn’t care if someone recognized him.
“Xavier, as soon as the girls are brought out, we’ll start with the explosion,” he heard Tracie’s voice from his earbuds.
Tracie wasn’t supposed to be a part of this mission, but she’d just been as optimistic as Xavier, hoping they would find Anastasia in a trade.
“Alright, get the men ready,” he replied, his voice dark and emotionless.