How Lilies turn Black Chapter 63 - Legal Illegality (4)

 

‘The mayor wouldn’t make a fuss just because the Families teamed up to kill Jimmy McKenna… So why…?’

 

Liliana suspected there might be another backer protecting Jimmy McKenna and decided to investigate. 

 

But the answer was much closer—and far simpler—than she expected.

 

“Ah, didn’t you know? The current mayor is Bill Graham, right? That guy with the tube in his stomach. He absolutely despises us. It’s pretty well-known. He’d throw a fit and refuse our money even if we delivered a whole warehouse full of cash.”

 

The words came from Silvano, who was sitting at the bar, meticulously folding a napkin into an elaborate rose.

 

“…How do you know that? You haven’t been in Demercy all this time.”

 

“Oh, come on… What kind of person do you take me for? Boss, I’m not that clueless or empty-headed. I was keeping an eye on Demercy the whole time, planning my return.”

 

‘Well, whatever.’

 

It was ironic that a mayor hostile to the underworld was colluding with the Corella Family… But then again, perhaps perfect integrity never truly existed.

 

A cold smile curled at Liliana’s lips. She turned back to Theodoro, finally delivering the answer she had yet to give.

 

“You should probably drop the idea… I know what you meant. I’ve heard the situation.”

 

Theodoro likely sensed that the next words out of her mouth would start with “But—” 

 

Even before hearing it, he pressed the back of his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes.

 

“Again, you… Sigh…”

 

It wasn’t annoyance. More like resignation—a sigh so heavy it hung in the air, stabbing at her conscience. She glanced cautiously at the man slumped beside her, but he had completely shut his mouth, as if even trying to argue was exhausting.

 

But if he didn’t want to deal with her, he should have closed his ears, not his eyes and mouth. 

 

Watching his reaction, Liliana had no intention of holding back what she was about to say.

 

Soon after, a mesmerizing, husky voice flowed effortlessly into Theodoro’s open ears.

 

“We don’t need to touch Jimmy McKenna directly. I’m thinking of something… legally illegal.”

 

“…Legally illegal?”

 

Theodoro frowned as he struggled to open his eyes and sit up.

 

“Do I look like I’m sitting here to listen to wordplay?”

 

“…”

 

The sharp tone made the back of her neck instinctively tense.

 

It was always like this. Every time she tried to do something, she faced opposition, and she always had to fight for approval with this suffocating feeling in her chest.

 

But after repeating this routine a few times, it somehow started to feel familiar. 

 

Liliana took a deep breath and met his gaze firmly.

 

“I’m talking about illegal activities wrapped neatly in legality. Even Mayor Bill Graham won’t be able to do anything about it. On the surface, there won’t be any issues.”

 

This time, she knew he would have no choice but to agree. Not reluctantly—but quite willingly.

 

💫

 

Demercy Grand Tower Square Building, 13th Floor. Inter Press News Service.

 

The office was lavishly and modernly decorated. 

 

Being in an unfamiliar space she was visiting for the first time, and with an atmosphere distinctly different from any office she’d seen before, Liliana couldn’t help but look around curiously.

 

One wall was covered in geometric-patterned wallpaper. 

 

Strangely, the adjacent wall wasn’t wallpapered but made of clean, polished wood, adorned with an abstract art piece so large it could have been a door panel.

 

At a glance, it was clear that this was an office meticulously designed with care.

 

The sofa where she and Theodoro sat side by side was also a striking orange, flanked by yellow and blue chairs boasting elegant curves.

Everywhere, there were oddly shaped objects. 

 

Filled with vibrant colors and unique forms, the place resembled an exhibition hall disguised as an office.

 

Liliana swallowed a gasp and muttered, “They must… make a lot of money?”

“What, because of this office?”

“Yeah.”

 

A stifled chuckle came from right beside her. Turning her head, she saw Theodoro scanning the office with a crooked smirk.

Perhaps he found it distasteful—money that should’ve been handed over as tribute, instead splurged on decorating the office. Or maybe he believed that with the money Benedetti brought in, they could’ve done far better.

 

His gaze showed no appreciation. Theodoro clicked his tongue at Liliana, who was still sneaking curious glances at the objects.

“Anyone would think you’re here on a field trip, Liliana Moretti.”

“…”

 

Embarrassed by his scolding, Liliana quickly lowered her eyes.

Well, now wasn’t the time to be sightseeing. They were here to meet Jimmy McKenna, after all.

 

“By the way… thank you for bringing me.”

Liliana still couldn’t quite believe she was included in such an important negotiation. Even as she sat right in Jimmy’s office.

Who would’ve thought? That Theodoro would bring her—not Vincent or Paul—to this meeting. But her timid thanks only earned a dry response from him.

“It’s the scenario you came up with. Of course, you should be here.”

“…Right.”

“What, you don’t want to?”

“N-No, it’s not that, just—”

“If it’s not dangerous, tag along like this from now on. Seeing things firsthand helps you understand the situation and the atmosphere.”

 

Liliana blinked her clear eyes in surprise at the unexpected remark.

What’s gotten into him? If he’s really allowing it, nothing could be better… 

 

But Theodoro showing such generosity isn’t exactly a common occurrence.

 

Swallowing her bewilderment, she replied, “…Thank you.”

 

Another weak, deflated laugh scattered into the air.

 

Without hesitation, Theodoro shifted his attention and reached toward the table in front of the sofa. He picked up the newspaper lying there, folded it roughly to fit in one hand, then settled back into the couch.

 

As the chair sank under his weight, his warmth and scent washed over her—a mix of thick tobacco, musk, and vanilla.

“…!”

 

For some reason, an indescribably strange feeling rose within her. It wasn’t the first time she’d smelled it, but the fact that it felt familiar suggested this was his usual scent.

 

Could it be because of that incident that had happened in Theodoro’s space just two days ago? 

 

Suddenly, the rich, smooth fragrance filling her nose felt so vivid, so impossible to ignore—though Liliana couldn’t understand why.

 

For some reason, her ears tingled, and she lowered her gaze. That was a mistake.

 

At the edge of her vision was Theodoro’s right hand, resting on the sofa to support his weight. The image of that large hand invaded her mind.

‘Ah…’

 

They say he’s held guns and knives since childhood. 

 

Yet, his hands were unexpectedly refined. His fingers weren’t knobby or rough, just smooth and long. His neatly trimmed nails matched the shape and size of his fingers perfectly—so much so that she caught herself thinking they were… pretty.

 

But that didn’t mean they were delicate. The sun-kissed skin and sturdy fingers seemed to embody strength just by their shape alone.

 

Those fingers wrapped around her thigh… gripping the flesh so tightly it sank deep.

Liliana couldn’t tear her eyes away. As if entranced—no, as if struck by a tremendous shock—she could only stare at that hand.

 

Then, Theodoro raised his right hand, neatly refolded the newspaper, and naturally lowered it back to rest on the sofa.

 

As if the gods were playing a trick, right where Liliana’s fingertips lay quietly on the sofa—tap.

 

Liliana froze, unable to move. 

 

Even though their skin didn’t touch, it felt as if his body heat had transferred to her, warmth spreading from her fingertips. Her slender fingers twitched slightly.

 

‘How strange…’

 

Not a single strand of hair had brushed between them. 

 

Not a word had been spoken. Yet at some point, Theodoro’s gaze had also drifted toward their hands, hovering so close yet so far.

 

“…”

“…”

 

A distance of barely three centimeters. 

 

A fragile boundary that would collapse in an instant if either moved even slightly. Yet neither dared to cross that line.’=

 

Theodoro said nothing. Or perhaps, he couldn’t.

 

He simply steadied his breathing quietly, staring at her trembling hand and his own—calmly, almost blindly.

 

Just the weight of his gaze resting on the back of her hand made heat rise from her skin in wisps.

 

“…”

 

Nothing else happened. And Liliana knew nothing else would.

 

But why did her fingertips tingle as if going numb? And why, despite that, couldn’t she bring herself to pull away?

 

The quiet office felt as if time had frozen. 

 

Of course, the clock’s hands were still moving at that very moment, and outside the office, the occasional noise of people suggested the world was bustling along as usual.

So even that seemingly eternal moment of stillness eventually reached its end.

 

“Ah, my apologies. The previous meeting ran longer than expected. I kept you waiting.”

 

The abrupt opening of the door and the entrance of Jimmy McKenna snapped the two out of their daze.

 

“…!”

 

Lilia flinched and pulled her hand away. Theodoro slowly lifted his chin, eyeing the person who had just walked in.

 

As if nothing had happened, the strange tension that had enveloped them dissipated in an instant.

Only a faint tingling lingered at their fingertips.