"Yes." I raise my eyebrows, pretending I was paying attention the entire time, even though I never even noticed we went down another floor and are now crossing a long, illuminated corridor.
                          
"As I was saying, we changed the dosage to the 120mg you've suggested, but to be honest I still don't think customers will be satisfied with the decrease." 
                          
"Lucky for us, you're not the one dealing with clients, are you?" I balance the sharpness of my response with a pleasing smile. "I know what I'm doing, Ralph, just be sure you're doing your part well, and I'll take responsibility for my part as well." 
                          
"Sure, you're right, of course" Ralph throws me an apologetic look "There's also a new thing we've been working on that I would like to show you, is now a good time?"
                          
"What new thing?" I raise my eyebrows, suddenly getting highly interested. I'm always willing to test new products and decide if they're good enough to start making a profit. 
                          
"Follow me." Ralph smiles, taking the lead and crossing the long corridor we are at, and I follow hot on his feet.
                          
"Shit." Abel hiss by my side, fishing the phone from his pocket. "It's Rickie." He throws me a worried look before sliding his finger over the screen and leaning the phone to his ear, turning on his feet and walking away.
                          
That can't be good, we were not expecting to hear from Rickie this soon, so if he is calling, it means that something went wrong. But of course I can't just show my concern right in front of Ralph and his staff, so I keep a neutral expression on my face. Ralph opens the door to a room far left at the corridor, the bright white lights from the inside making my eyes tear up a bit. There are three people inside, all of them wearing long white coats and blue rubber gloves, so concentrated they didn't even noticed my presence.  
                          
"We've been running some tests, using mice mostly, and I gotta say I think we're on the verge of creating something actually brilliant." Ralph says proudly. 
                          
"Does Desmond and Phillip knows about this little project?" I raise my eyebrows. 
                          
"No, I don't want to show them till it's absolutely perfect." Ralph answers me matter-of-factly, and as soon as the words falls from his lips he seems to regret them "I mean, not that I don't think it's already great - I wouldn't waste your time over something I don't completely believe in, it's just--" 
                          
"Jesus, relax." I roll my eyes, looking around. There are a few cages at the corner, with some white mouses running around. "Are you ready to show me or what?" 
                          
"Yes, of course." Ralph looks to one of the men here, nodding discreetly as if giving him the silent authorization to show me whatever that they've been working on.
                          
However, before the man is even near us, the door opens again and Abel enters the lab, walking straight to me and ignoring everything on his surroundings. He doesn't need to say anything, just by the look on his face I already know something bad happened. 
                          
"Hold that thought." I raise my hand to Ralph, my eyes pinned on Abel's "What's up?" 
                          
"Boss, we need to talk. Privately." He emphasizes, his eyes making a quick scan around the room, and I sigh, standing up and following him out. 
                          
I knew things were too quiet, too good to be true. 
                          
"What happened?" I ask, as soon as we step outside and are alone in the corridor. 
                          
"We have a snitch." Abel says matter-of-factly, and there's beads of sweat already coating his forehead "The word is out, they already know about you. They cleaned two of Rickie's guys and left just one of them to... To give you a message." Abel gulps. 
                          
"Which is?" I his through my teeth, the blood already starting to boil on my veins. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep my presence a secret for too long, and honestly I don't give a flying fuck if they know I'm here, but I just can't stand the audacity of people trying to send me a message. 
                          
"They won't let you run the city." 
                          
"Oh, no?" A wicked smile cracks my lips up "And they think they can stop me? You, Americans, are even dumber than I've anticipated. Call Rickie and tell him to meet us here in twenty minutes. And then, let our crew know. We're going to Karma."
                          
The worried expression on Abel's face changes as he grins, the lopsided, vicious smile matching my own. Seems like we are going to have some fun tonight, after all. 
                          
-----
                          
a.n: hello, my darlings! how are you? practicing social isolation?
                          
first of all, I KNOW this chapter is way shorter than the usual for my books - there is a reason for that. i just wanted to give you a little sneak peek of Harry's activities while Aster is having the time of her life at Pandemonium ;) 
                          
but to compensate for the short chapter, this is going to be a double update. so hang on there, the next chapter will be on soon! 
                          
last but not least, keep isolating, keep safe! i know not everyone has the luxury of being able to work from home, but if you're not, please take all the necessary measures to keep the coronavirus away.