Transmigrated: I Became My Nemesis's Woman

Meanwhile, somewhere across the city, inside a luxurious room of a towering building, Xander had arranged a meeting with the leader of the Monsta Clan.

The man sitting across from him had a reputation soaked in blood. Known for his brutal methods, he was also a sworn enemy of Morris Hardley—the former leader of the DarkKnight Clan.

There had once been rumors that the two were friends.

But a personal rift had turned that bond into a lifelong rivalry—one that lasted until Morris’s final days.

"I wasn’t expecting to hear from you, Ace," the man said with a smirk, using Xander’s underworld name. "But I’m glad you finally agreed to meet me."

Kael was about Xander’s age and had taken over the clan after his father’s death. People often said he was as twisted as his father, Lucifer.

But from what Xander had learned over the years...

Kael was worse.

"I won’t waste time, Kael," Xander said coldly.

Kael let out a short laugh. "So direct. I expected something more... formal, considering this is our first proper meeting."

He leaned back slightly, studying Xander with interest.

Kael knew exactly who he was dealing with.

Xander was a name the entire underworld respected—and feared. His organization was one of the most powerful, built on strict rules and discipline. Unlike others, they operated under a structure that gave them legitimacy, even in the shadows.

And that was exactly why Kael wanted him.

With Xander’s backing, Kael could shield his illegal operations and expand his power without scrutiny.

Xander, however, had other plans.

Without a word, he gestured to Taylor.

Taylor stepped forward and handed a file to Kael.

Kael raised an eyebrow before taking it. "What’s this?"

"Open it," Xander replied.

Kael flipped it open—

—and froze.

Inside were photographs.

Clear images of him meeting Morris Hardley at a restaurant... on the very day Morris died.

Kael’s expression darkened instantly.

"What is this?" he demanded, looking back at Xander. "And why are you showing it to me?"

Xander’s gaze remained steady.

"Because I want to make sure you don’t deny what I’m about to ask."

Something in his tone made Kael shift slightly in his seat.

"Are you threatening me?" he asked, though his voice wavered just enough to betray him.

Xander didn’t blink.

"No," he said calmly. "I just want a yes or no answer."

For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed Kael’s eyes.

What does he know?

"What is it?" Kael asked, forcing his voice steady.

Xander didn’t hesitate.

"Did you kill Morris Hardley?"

For a moment—

Silence.

And then Kael burst into laughter.

"Why is everyone so eager to paint me as the man who killed someone already counting his final days?"

Xander’s brows drew together slightly.

Kael’s laughter slowly faded, his expression turning serious.

"The answer is no," he said firmly. "I did not."

By now, Kael had realized something important.

This was not a negotiation.

Xander hadn’t come here to form an alliance.

He had come to investigate.

Kael scoffed lightly, leaning back with one leg crossed over the other, trying to regain control of the situation.

"I’m telling you the truth, Ace," he said, relaxing into his seat.

Then, after a brief pause, he added—

"Though I did plan an attack. I intended to make it look like an accident."

Xander’s gaze sharpened.

"But I never went through with it," Kael continued. "There was no point. The man was already dying."

That made Xander pause.

This was the second time Kael had said that.

"What do you mean?" Xander asked.

Kael chuckled. "I didn’t expect you to be so interested in the DarkKnight Clan... especially now that it’s gone."

When Xander didn’t react, Kael’s smile faded slightly.

"Fine," he said. "I don’t know everything. But that old fox somehow found out about my plan. Took down my men before I could even act." His expression darkened as he recalled the past.

"If he hadn’t interfered that day... I would’ve finished what I started." Kael’s jaw tightened.

"Morris killed my father. I had every reason to end him." He paused, then let out a short, humorless laugh. "But instead of warning me... or threatening me..."

Kael’s eyes flickered with something close to confusion.

"He gave me advice."

Xander’s gaze didn’t waver.

"He told me to let go of my grudge," Kael continued. "Said life doesn’t wait for anyone."

Kael scoffed, shaking his head. "At that time, I thought he’d finally lost his mind. A man who spent his life covered in blood... giving me life lessons?" He leaned back, eyes darkening.

"But later..." His voice lowered slightly.

"When news of his death spread through the underworld..." Kael’s expression shifted. "That’s when I understood," he said quietly, his usual arrogance dimming for a brief moment.

Xander didn’t interrupt.

"He wasn’t sparing me," Kael continued, his gaze distant as if replaying the memory. "He was already preparing to die."

Silence settled between them.

"For a man like Morris Hardley to say something like that..." Kael scoffed lightly, though there was no humor in it this time. "It means he knew exactly what was coming."

Xander’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Coming from whom?" he asked.

Kael’s lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. "That’s the interesting part, Ace. Even I don’t know."

He leaned forward now, resting his elbows on his knees.

"But I can tell you one thing," he added. "Whoever it was... it wasn’t ordinary."

Xander remained still, but his mind was already racing. And despite every thought that came into his mind, nothing made sense.

***

Thud!

Seated in the backseat, Xander remained lost in thought, replaying every word Kael had said. Each detail fit too neatly, yet raised even more questions.

"Boss," Taylor spoke, breaking the silence, "do you think we should trust Kael? That man is a sly fox. He could twist anything to his advantage."

Xander’s gaze remained fixed ahead, calm but sharp.

"I don’t think he was lying," he replied. "Not after realizing how much I already knew."

He had been aware of Kael’s intentions from the moment the man first tried to contact him. That was precisely why he had ignored him—until now.

Taylor nodded, turning his attention back to the road. And then froze.

"HOLY— Is that... is that Madam?!"

The sheer disbelief in his voice made Xander immediately follow his line of sight and what he saw made him go completely still.