The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 95 Chicago
Cristos
After an almost two hour flight, Dan and I were finally in Chicago. Unfortunately, since Liam was planning to propose tomorrow morning, instead of spending a full night at The Peninsula, we would be leaving in the early morning.
While we were seated in business class, sipping champagne and snacking on cheese and prosciutto, I silently prayed Dan wouldn’t make any unnecessary moves on me, Xavier and Sebastian would be able to convince Joy to accept the proposal, so she could gain control of everything once Theodore and Liam were out of the way, and I could get some useful information. I was looking for a hacker. After what happened at Aspire Tower, I needed to know who I was up against.
Dina, one of my best hackers, was already trying to trace whatever digital footprints the hacker might’ve left so she could at least get a location. She was currently in Mandan eager to move to New Salem, but she had to wait for Lou to pack up all his equipment, so he could set up base in the basement of their new home in Hillcrest.
When we arrived at The Peninsula, I heaved a sigh of relief, happy to be in the city. Rural living, although quiet and relaxed, was monotonous. I welcomed the hustle and bustle of the city, wishing I could stay a bit longer.
Dan was obviously happy to be out of New Salem for a change and experience the good life.
He said he was never able to fly out before because he couldn’t find a friend to come with
him. This is where I fit in.
We both got our own suites and agreed to meet at the lobby for lunch after freshening up. Our appointment at Tiffany’s was at two in the afternoon which meant we could have a long lunch, pick up the diamond, then go off and do our own shopping. Dan wanted more silk
shirts and needed to go see a dermatologist so he could stock up on facial products.
Unlike Dan’s pricier suite, mine was small, good enough for one with a panoramic view of the city. I only brought a small carry-on with me, packed with my usual stuff, thinking if I needed more clothes, I could just buy them here. I needed more pink in my wardrobe
anyway.
After hanging my clothes, I changed into a beige button down shirt and brown chinos, pairing everything with dark brown leather shoes and a long light brown trench coat to fight the cold of the Windy City.
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When the elevator doors opened, Dan was already waiting for me at the lobby wearing a royal blue silk shirt and white chinos paired with a gray blazer and black loafers. Dan loved to mix and match colors.
“I made reservations at the Shanghai Terrace,” Dan said, pushing me back into the elevator so we could go to the fourth floor.
“I love Chinese food,” I said.
“Me too. Unfortunately, you can’t find it in New Salem. When I really have a craving, I drive to Bismarck,” Dan said. “We should really take a trip to New York. Maybe I can arrange everything.”
The elevator doors pinged open and I could already smell the food. My tummy grumbled. I didn’t know I was so hungry.
Shanghai Terrace’s main dining area was designed as a traditional 1930s style eatery decorated in red and gold, the colors contrasting beautifully with the dark brown of its tables and polished hardwood floors. Since the terrace area was not open for dining, we took a seat at one of the square tables near the large windows of the restaurant so we could admire the

view while we dined.
“Order whatever you want, Chip,” Dan said, once we were seated. “Everything is on me.” Then he paused, his eyes on the menu. “I have an idea. Let’s just order everything on the menu, so we can try all of it. We don’t do this everyday, so let’s splurge.” He smiled at the server. “We’ll take one order of everything on the lunch menu and a bottle of Dom Perignon.” The server nodded his head in acknowledgement and scurried away for our food and drinks.
“Back to planning a trip to New York. What do you suggest?” I asked. Dan twirled his
in the air, like he was a magician.
“I’ll arrange for Virtue and Liam to have their honeymoon in New York and we can come with. While they do their thing, we can go off and do our thing. We can go to Broadway, vis the bars in Soho, and shop until we drop. We can even walk around Manhattan in our most colorful outfits.” He sighed, placing his chin in his hand, imagining being in New York in a loud designer outfit. “I have been dreaming to go and spend a week there at least, but I never had the money,” he said. “Now I have the money All my investments are doing well… so well, I can finally experience life.” The server came back with our champagne and a tray full of appetizers. Dan quickly put some shrimp in his mouth and purred.
“I want to invest,” I said. “Sure I own the pub and have some money saved up, but some extra money wouldn’t hurt.”
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“I’ll talk to Liam and see if you can put in some capital like the rest of us. Real estate is booming in New Salem. I promise you won’t regret it,” Dan said before chu gging down his
champagne.
“You finished accountancy right?” I asked. “Did you do any software or maybe encryption.
when you were in college?”
“Uh, no. My expertise ends with Excel, spreadsheets and numbers, Dan answered. He squinted his eyes, thinking who he might know with that kind of background. “Lisa I think took computer science if I remember correctly. She has a really expensive computer at home. and her laptop is the latest.”
“Really?” I asked surprised. Lisa?! It can’t be possible.
“Yeah. I remember she mentioned she was looking for this girl who moved out of New Salem during our junior year in high school. She said she hacked into school databases to look for information on her,” Dan elaborated. “Sadly, she couldn’t find anything about that girl, but she did say something about the girl’s father working at a Target or something. I don’t really
know.”
So Cris uses his wife to do background checks. Sprry Cris, but Lisa found the information that I had planted. Still, I had to admit Lisa was a clever girl.
With her background on the basics of computer encryption, she learned how to hack on her own. Who would have thought?
“So, Lisa knows how to hack?” I asked skeptically. Dan shrugged his shoulders.
“She says she does. Honestly, we go to her when our computers go on the fri tz, so maybe she does,” Dan said. “Anyway, when you encounter problems with your computer, you know
where to go.”
When we get back to New Salem, I’m going to make an impromptu visit and check.
kout her
system. Whatever firewalls and security she has, I’ll make sure to bring all of it crashing
down.
Our server came back with a tray of braised beef, Peking Duck, steamed halibut and bowls of noodle soup. It was all so flavorful and aromatic, I made a me ntal note to come back and bring Joy. She would love it here.
By the time we got to Tiffany & Co, Dan was buzzed. If I had previously thought he was talkative when tinsy Dan was loud
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Good thing the people at Tiffany’s didn’t mind and served us each a wonderful cup of coffee. Dan was able to sober up before he made an utter fool himself.
We were led upstairs to view the exquisite square cut two carat diamond and platinum ring. Dan placed the ring on his pinky finger and we both gazed at it in awe. As the light touched the surface of the diamond, it reflected a myriad of colors on the surrounding surfaces including white light.
I sighed. It would look perfect on Joy’s finger.
As I stared at the diamond, I still couldn’t believe Liam was going to propose to Joy. I mean… they only went out on one date! But then again, this was Liam. He was unconventional and unpredictable.
After Dan had paid for the one hundred thousand dollar ring including a couple of pieces for himself, we left Tiffany’s like we had conquered the world, only to bump into two people we didn’t expect to be in Chicago.
“Dan, what are you doing here?” I knew that irritating voice. I saw Dan purse his lips before he turned around to greet Nicole.
“Nicole, it’s so good to see you in clothes,” Dan said before kissing Nicole on the cheek. And sure enough, Nicole was wearing a beige short sleeved, belted, buttoned down midi dress. A colorful silk scarf covered her blonde hair and a pair of oversized sunglasses covered her eyes while nude pumps adorned her feet. In one hand was a small Prada shoulder bag. She actually looked good.
“Nicole, babe, what’s keeping you?” asked another familiar voice.