73 Chapter 59 Meeting Lady Jaye

In the secluded confines of his safe house, Kage moved with calculated precision, the faint rustle of fabric punctuating the hushed stillness. Beneath the soft glow of lamplight, Solange lay draped in sheets, her naked form barely under the tangled sheets.

Kage got up and dressed up in causal clothes.

Suddenly, a sharp ding dong shattered the stillness, echoing through the house. Kage swiftly donned his attire, his movements calculated and precise.

With a cautious twist of the knob, the door revealed Lady Jaye, her presence commanding with her striking features with defined jawline and strong cheekbones, highlighting her athleticism and strong character.

Her brown hair cascades in loose waves around her shoulders, framing a face that exudes confidence and determination. With piercing blue, described as icy or steely eyes that seem to see right through you, she commands attention with every glance.

She was wearing a no-nonsense but well-fitted suit. Lady Jaye's smile held a hint of reverence as she met her superior, her mind filled with the tales of Kage, a legendary figure among the ranks. She heard of him being a senior to Snake eyes.

"Good to see you, Jaye Burnett," Kage greeted with a warm smile.

Returning his smile, Lady Jaye replied, "Good to see you, sir," her voice tinged with admiration for the man who stood before her.

As Kage led her further into the dimly lit sanctuary, Lady Jaye's gaze swept across the room, her keen eyes catching sight of a half-naked figure nestled beneath the sheets. The sight elicited a knowing cough, for she had heard the whispers among her fellow soldier Ripchord—rumors of Kage's numerous lovers, among them was fellow Lieutenant Gisele and former Cobra agent Ana.

Kage's voice cut through the silence like a blade, his words heavy with purpose. "Lady Jaye, we can speak here."

With a nod, Jaye's eyes turned away momentarily before she settled into a seat opposite Kage, her smile masking the nerves that danced beneath the surface. "Sir, Commander Hawks has agreed to stake you in the game," she began, her voice steady despite the weight of their conversation.

"That's good," Kage replied, his tone betraying little emotion as he absorbed the news.

But Jaye wasn't finished yet. "Ten million was wired to your account in Montenegro, with a contingency for five million more," she added, there was a veil of uncertainty.

Kage hummed in response, his mind already calculating the risks and rewards that lay ahead. Sensing her curiosity, he gestured for Jaye to continue.

Her words came slowly, tinged with a hint of apprehension. "Sir, if I may?" she began, her voice faltering slightly as she broached a delicate subject.

Kage's gaze softened, a silent invitation for her to speak her mind. And speak she did, her words a testament to the gravity of their situation. "I suppose you've given some thought to the notion that if you lose, our agency will have directly financed terrorism," she voiced, her concern palpable.

In response, Kage offered a measured reassurance. "Only if one assumes that the person with the best hand always wins," he replied.

Lady Jaye's brow furrowed in contemplation. "So that would be what you call bluffing?" she queried, her curiosity piqued.

Kage nodded in affirmation. "You know the term," he acknowledged, his voice calm and measured. "Then you may also have heard that in poker, you play your hand, you play the one across from you."

As their conversation unfolded, the room seemed to shrink around them, the weight of their words pressing in from all sides. But amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained clear—there was a plan in place.

Lady Jaye's interest was piqued. "So there is a contingency plan?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.

With a knowing smile, Kage slid his sleek Stark Phone across the table, the holographic image of Valenka and her files materializing in the air before them. As the image flickered to life, he began to paint a vivid picture of the woman who held the key to their mission.

"This is Valenka," Kage explained. "She is Le Chiffre's companion, a weapon in his arsenal of deception." He paused, his eyes flickering with a mixture of disdain and admiration. "He uses Valenka's beauty to distract other male players, to sow seeds of lust and greed that cloud their judgment and pave the way for his fraud."

As Lady Jaye scrolled through the holographic files, her brow furrowed in concentration. "From what intel we gathered, is Valenka loyal to Le Chiffre?" she inquired, her voice tinged with skepticism.

Kage shook his head, his expression grave. "Nope, she is not loyal," he affirmed, his tone tinged with sympathy. "But she's trapped, with nowhere else to turn." His eyes bore into the holographic image of Valenka, as if searching for answers hidden within her digital likeness. "The organization Le Chiffre's part of has connections run deep, and Valenka knows she can't escape, since she has been accounted by the organization as part of Le Chiffre. So she remains by his side, clinging to the hope of a way out."

In a flicker of motion, Kage's hand swept through the air, navigating the holographic interface with practiced precision. As if conjured from the ether, 3D holographic files materialized before them and brought up images of multiple women. "Also, Le Chiffre has multiple mistresses. All of them were used by him previously as distractions for his frauds and sexual needs. The older the women grow, Le Chiffre tosses them away without giving them much thought. Some of them disappeared mysteriously.

So Valenka, being 31, has already seen her ending. She has already witnessed Le Chiffre picking another younger lover, and she is hoping to get out before the whole boat sinks."

Lady Jaye saw the route and asked, "So you believe she knows a lot about Le Chiffre and can help us get more information in return for protection?"

Kage nodded and added, "We can plant her by his side as a double agent. We have a 3 weeks time to do this."