Chapter 197: Revenge Is Sweet Part 4

After a brief and silent breakfast, Arias parted ways with Raven, telling her to introduce herself to the other residents on her own and explain her situation.

With people like her who preferred to be alone, Arias felt it would better for her to form some form of friendship with Harley and or Diana.

Despite the potential she had though, Arias wasn't about to dedicate all his time to her. Because at the end of the day, she was a want… not a need.

Immediately he left his residential building, Arias went to the Markovic Tower, there he found Mercy looking visibly upset at him.

"Is there ever a time you're not upset? It's like it comes natural with you," Arias charmingly mocked as he approached her.

Mercy continued to glare at Arias before replying, "Is there ever a time you're not full of yourself?"

Arias played off the remark like it had nothing to do with him, instead bringing up another topic.

"Always. Moving on, I want you arrange a few things for me, I'll be having a very busy night."

Usually one to be vague, Arias's instructions didn't surprise mercy. She could only now wonder what it was he was planning.

What she did know was that whenever Arias did something grand, she would also have her own bulk of work to deal with. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look irritated, "more work for you or for me?"

"Does it matter? Anyway, I've already forwarded you the list, it's nothing major." Arias casually replied while walking into his office, intending to just pass time while he waited for night fall.

…

Time flew and as the sun was beginning to set in Star City, a jumpy Oliver Queen could be seen lounging in his office chair, his eyes narrowed at the black monitor before him.

His finger rhythmically tapped the desk in a stressed manner, his expression also looking rather unwell.

Soon though, his expression sparked to life when his phone vibrated, causing him to immediately pick it up and answer.

"I've been waiting on your call, anything?" He asked in a tone carrying some concern.

[ No, Arias Markovic still hasn't gone anywhere aside from his home and office.]

"Alright, keep me updated when that changes, especially if he leaves Gotham City." Oliver could only sigh and shake his head.

He had thought things were moving okay, only to be alerted by Lois of what transpired between her and Arias.

Oliver held some confidence that Arias didn't know his identity but he didn't want to risk it either so he hired a group to watch over his movements anonymously.

So if indeed Arias was coming, he'd be prepared.

Cutting the call, Oliver let out an exasperated sigh. In the next moment, he heard a knock on his door, which caused him to sit upright and fix his expression. "Come in."

Following his words, the door opened and revealed the figure of his secretary, Melanie.

"Good evening Mr. Quee- *ahem* Oliver, I came to tell you I'll also be clocking off soon, my parents are visiting so…" The beautiful woman spoke shyly and avoided to meet Oliver's gaze.

This brought a smile to his face, briefly making him forget the precarious situation he was in.

"No worries, you know you don't have to work late just because I am. And feel free to take your family out anywhere in the city, courtesy of the company."

The young girl's eyes widened and she smiled happily, "Oh I don't want to impose, plus others might start talking-."

"Nonsense, just go and treat your family to good time okay? I wouldn't want them thinking my company isn't treating their lovely daughter well." Oliver insisted in a charming manner, bringing an even brighter smile to Melanie's face.

"Thank you Oliver, I'll see you on Monday." In the end, she no longer tried to reject the offer and just accepted it politely, showing Oliver a final smile before leaving the office.

…

Shortly after saying her goodbyes to Oliver, Melanie could be seen walking out of Queen Industries Building with a bright expression on her face.

She quickly hailed got into her company car and was drove off in a hurry so as to avoid traffic.

"Argh! Why does he have to be so charming? Don't do it Melanie, this isn't a movie, why would a billionaire like a small town girl like me anyway?" Melanie spoke rapidly to herself, showing a confused expression while wondering how she should approach her budding office relationship.

Given Oliver's looks, wealth and charisma, it was no surprise that the more she worked with him, the more she fell for him, despite also having a somewhat notorious reputation as a playboy.

After a 20 minute drive fantasizing and processing her thoughts, Melanie arrived at her home within a secure gated community, one of the many perks of working directly under a billionaire.

As she was parking by her home, she found a less luxurious car parked just on the side, causing her to smile.

"I guess mom still hasn't convinced Dad to let ole Bethany go." Melanie laughed reminiscently, looking back at her memories in the dirty pick up truck growing up.

Upon exiting the vehicle, she walked over to her door, whose security system required retina recognition, with only people registered on the system being her, her parents and of course the chief of security in case of emergencies.

After the security check, the door clicked open and she opened it with figure, yelling, "mom, dad, I'm home!"

Melanie wore a bright smile as she spoke but received no response, causing her vigor to dwindle as she showed a perplexed expression.

"I'm sure they fell asleep watching tv again, it is football season after all." Melanie reached her own conclusion and began pacing toward the living room after leaving her heels in the entryway.

Upon entering the living room though, she froze to stop at the sight before her.

Two elderly people, her parents, were bound tightly by their wrists and legs, with their mouths gagged.

Both were visibly struggling with widened eyes as small murmurs escaped their covered mouths.

"Mom! Dad! W-what's going on?!" Panic gripped the young woman's heart as she rushed over to her parents, her first instinct being this was perhaps a robbery.

However as she got close, her parents only looked more concerned, shaking their heads as if telling her not to try and help.

Melanie though proceeded to remove her father's gag, and he immediately yelled out, "Mel, she's still here, you've got to run and get help!"

"What? Who's here- Pa!~•" Before Melanie could understand the situation, she felt a sharp sting on her neck, followed by a numbing feeling that spread throughout her body.

Her eyelids felt heavy and her vision grew blurry as she mumbled, "wh-wha."

Without even finishing her sentence, her body slumped to the ground and behind her stood Cheshire, her face covered by mask, different from her usual attire. She looked at the frightened elderly couple and gestured they keep quiet.

"No need to look so frightened, as long as you do what I say, your precious little girl won't get butchered."

…

As time past and night fully fell over Star City, Oliver himself was also planning to leave his office to attend to other matters as Green Arrow, however just before he could, his phone rang.

"Hello?"

[ Mr. Queen! *sob* please… my parents… please ] A crying Melanie's voice could be heard on the other side of the call, clearly shaken by something.

But before she could say more, another voice took over, this one more hoarse, female but clearly under the influence of a voice changer.

[ I think what the girl was trying to say was, come to her residence, alone, or her parents die right in front of her. ]

"Who is this?!" Oliver spoke up in great anger, but the other side wasn't fazed.

[ You have 20 minutes, for each minute you delay, I take a finger off the girl. Tick tok Mr. Queen. ]