One night stand with my president(chapter 553)

 

Chapter 553: Because She's Pretty

Krauss learned from Catherine that several of the organization's strongholds had been destroyed and several key members captured.

His stomach tightened.

They had targeted powerful families before, but nothing like this had ever happened.

Even he, at this moment, felt a twinge of panic.

"What did the boss say?" he asked, his voice tight.

"He said we've really hit a wall this time,"

Catherine said with a bitter smile. "Then he sent people to deal with it."

Krauss clenched his fists. "The boss didn't say anything about calling off the operation?"

At his question, Catherine's face darkened even more.

"No," she muttered, a cold huff escaping her lips.

"I think he's hell-bent on getting his hands on that Mendoza family heiress. I don't know what for, though."

"Because she's pretty, I guess." Joel casually chimed in from the side.

Catherine's face turned even darker. She waved someone over to help Krauss, then kicked Joel hard in the shin.

Joel didn't bother to dodge, either because he didn't care or was too lazy to move, and took the hit head-on.

"What the hell?" Joel snapped, visibly irritated.

"The woman's already beautiful. What's wrong with saying it? The boss is a man, isn't he? He probably just thinks she's pretty and wants to keep her close. If you're so fond of the boss, go talk to him about it. Why take it out on me?"

Krauss rubbed his temples in frustration.

Joel really had no filter, did he?

He had just spilled Catherine's secret.

Some of the others were standing nearby.

Although it was something most people in the organization already knew, it was still too bold to say it so openly in front of everyone.

The others seemed to be desperately trying to block out what Joel had just said, acting as if they hadn't heard a word.

Catherine's face was priceless as she seethed in fury.

"Joel, you little bastard..." she growled.

Joel shrugged, unfazed. He was too tired to deal with her. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The boss shouldn't wait three days. He should have us cut off Mrs. Mendoza's arm and send it to the Mendoza family. I bet they won't be so bold after that. They'll send the woman right over. What's her name? Adeline?"

Krauss immediately snapped, "You should keep your mouth shut. Don't make decisions the boss didn't approve."

"Exactly," Catherine added sharply. "You want Krauss to take the blame for your mess?"

Joel sneered. "You care so much about Krauss, yet you're making him stand there like that? Shouldn't you get him back to rest and find a doctor?"

Catherine froze, then shot him an embarrassed look.

"Sorry, Krauss," she said, a little flustered. "I've been so caught up in the organization's issues lately that I forgot about this."

Krauss smiled faintly, "It's fine."

Joel muttered under his breath, "Caught up in the organization? More like caught up in the boss."

Catherine opened her mouth to argue, but stopped herself when she remembered Joel's words. She ordered someone to fetch a doctor, and then, with some help, she guided Krauss back to his room.

After the doctor finished bandaging Krauss, he left.

The punishment had been severe, but Krauss was a vital member of the organization. The boss wasn't about to let him die.

Krauss was always in good shape, so after a little rest, he'd be fine.

With everyone else gone, only Krauss and Joel were left in the room.

Joel sat on a chair by the bed, his head down, lost in thought.

Krauss smiled and reached up to ruffle his hair.

"Enough, stop overthinking. I'm fine," he said.

Joel might be stubborn, but he was clearly worried. He just didn't want to admit it.

"Enough, you're fine," Joel grumbled. "I'm healthier than you. If I'd gone in, I'd be bouncing back in no time."

"Yeah, you're the best," Krauss sighed in resignation.

Joel sniffled, then said, "So what's the plan for this mess?"

Krauss was quiet for a moment before responding, "We'll follow the boss's orders."

"Follow him?" Joel nearly jumped out of his seat.

"He's just telling us to wait three more days? It's already been almost 24 hours since Adeline talked to the boss. We have two days left."

Joel was seething, pacing around the room.

"The Mendoza family caused us this much damage in such a short time. Who knows what'll happen if we wait any longer?"

Joel's frustration was growing with every word.

"I'm going to the Mendoza family right now to grab that woman," he said, his voice dripping with anger.

"Stop," Krauss immediately grabbed his wrist, wincing as the movement pulled at his injury.

The pain made him gasp.

Joel hesitated, his worry for Krauss clearly outweighing his anger, though he didn't admit it.

"You're going to get yourself killed if you go now," Krauss said firmly. "The Mendoza family is likely waiting with traps set for anyone who tries to make a move."

"Don't think I'm not capable," Joel said with a cold laugh.

"It's not that I don't believe in you, but there's no need to take such a risk," Krauss said, furrowing his brow. "Relax. If the boss hasn't given any other orders, then we're not at that point yet. Our organization's been through worse and come out   on top. It's not that easy to bring us down."

Joel paced the room, his frustration mounting.

He had more to say, but when he saw Krauss s bandaged body, he finally fell silent.

Adeline hadn't left the Mendoza family.

The situation was already dire enough.

She couldn't afford to cause any more unnecessary trouble.

But she hadn't been idle at home. She had checked every lead she could find.

She watched the surveillance footage repeatedly, afraid of missing any clues.

Right now, she was watching the footage from another intersection near where Gracie had been taken.

A maid, head bowed, placed a cup of coffee beside her.

"Miss Mendoza, here's your coffee," the maid said.

Adeline nodded, taking the cup. Just as it was about to touch her lips, something felt off. She turned to look at the maid.

The maid had been staring at her the whole time.

When their eyes met, the maid quickly lowered her head.

"Is there something else?" Adeline asked.

"I... I was just thinking, with everything going on at home, and you being so busy, I wanted to see if I could help with anything," the maid replied, her voice hoarse and eerily strange.