Page 188 of That Time I Accidentally Became A Serial Killer

What a fucking cockwipe.

I flick my coffee into the nearest trash can and fall in behind Poppy, letting her take the lead.

She marches in, all confidence and sweet pink perfection, like she isn’t about to verbally eviscerate a man in front of witnesses.

I lean against the wall near the door, arms crossed, expression blank.

The shadow in the corner.

The threat waiting while she does her thing.

Poppy drops into the chair across from the clerk with a bright, harmless smile.

Sharp little thing.

Almost makes me feel bad for the poor bastard.

Almost.

“Thanks for waiting, Mr. Peters,” she says, voice warm enough to make anyone forget they’re about to be flayed alive. “We appreciate your cooperation.”

He shifts, sweaty and fidgety, trying to keep up.

She’s too fast. Smooth.

Slides through the opening questions like it’s sport—building trust, making him think he’s winning.

I expected fire and brimstone.

Instead, she’s ice under velvet.

And she’s good. Scary good.

I just stand there like the Grim Reaper in a badge.

The attorney can’t keep his mouth shut.

Every time she nears something real, he cuts in with a don’t answer that.

Legalese. Clarifications. Counsel requests.

Poppy is unbothered as fuck, sipping her cup-o-sugar-death through a bright pink straw, eyebrows raised like she’s already bored.

She pivots every time, turning questions into casual comments, smiling like she's three steps ahead.

She doesn’t flinch when the attorney leans in to intimidate her.

Just tilts her head and gives him a smile that saysBless your heart, but you’re out of your depth.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning like a damn fool.

Pride, admiration, possessiveness—it’s a dangerous cocktail under my skin.

Then she drops the bomb.

“I have to ask, Mr. Peters,” she says sweetly, flipping through a folder. “Were you aware the shell companies you authorized were directly connected to human trafficking? Including minors?”

The clerk freezes. Color drains from his face like someone pulled the plug.

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