CHAPTER 74.The low hum of the private jet filled the air as it touched down on the private strip. Liam stood with his hands in his pockets, sharp eyes scanning the sleek aircraft as the door opened.John stepped out with the unhurried grace of a man who had seen too much of the world to be fazed by anything. Tall, broad-shouldered, with a quiet confidence in the way he carried himself, he looked every bit like someone born to slip into any role and make it believable.“John.” Liam greeted with a nod, though his tone carried a trace of curiosity. “Didn’t expect to see you this soon.”“Neither did I,” John replied, his voice low and edged with amusement. “But when William calls in the middle of the night, you know it’s serious.”Minutes later, they arrived at William’s townhouse. The tension in the room was palpable as William rose to meet his old friend. For the first time that day, there was a flicker of relief in his eyes.“You made good time,” William said, clasping his hand firmly
CHAPTER 73.Carlos swirled the amber liquid in his glass as his phone buzzed on the desk. Without glancing at the screen, he answered—only three people had access to this line.“Uncle,” Kate’s voice trembled through the receiver, carrying just the right hint of desperation.A slow smile spread across Carlos’s lips. He leaned back in his leather chair, savoring the moment. “Go on, my dear,” he drawled. “Tell me—what has your husband done this time?”“I… I just found out he’s into gambling,” Kate whispered. “It’s been going on for eight months now.”Carlos’s brows arched, his interest instantly piqued. “Is that so? And how did you discover this… unfortunate habit?”“I managed to check his phone,” she confessed. “There were messages about the last game he played. He lost fifty thousand, Uncle. And it’s not just that—he’s planning to bet an even bigger amount this weekend.”Carlos chuckled softly, the sound dripping with satisfaction. “Well, well… this is perfect. We can use this against
CHAPTER 72Jeremy's House — Game room.Jeremy’s shout echoed through the game room as his character was shot down for the third time in a row. Liam chuckled, snatching victory with ease.“Unbelievable. You’re cursed,” Liam teased.Jeremy tossed the controller onto the couch, scowling. “No, I’m distracted. Too much crap going on lately.”Liam’s laughter faded. He glanced at his friend, sensing there was more behind the words than just a lost game.Liam studied his face. “What's wrong?” He asked, settling back into his chair and giving Jeremy his full attention. "What's bothering the almighty Jeremy?"Jeremy was quiet for a moment, his hands clasped together as he stared at the blank television screen. "It's this whole Donovan situation. Emma and I have been working so hard trying to penetrate his digital security, trace his communications, find some kind of vulnerability we can exploit." He shook his head. "But all our efforts seem to be in vain.""Why do you say so?""Military-grade
CHAPTER 71Carlos sat in silence long after the door closed, the echo of Kate’s footsteps fading down the hall. His fingers tapped against the desk steadily, his expression unreadable.He knew something was off at how Kate behaved but he couldn't figure it out.She had played her part well — too well. The tremble in her voice, the wounded act, the way she had shielded her stomach like a woman protecting more than a child. It was convincing.He was never going to give in completely. He believed she planned all of that. Whatever game she's playing, he's ready to play along with her. He will just kill two birds with one stone — have William crushed down and get rid of Kate.Perfect planning.He let out a loud laugh, echoing round the room.Either way, he would win.___Donovan moved across the room, settling into the leather chair across from the massive oak desk where the SE sat wreathed in cigar smoke."We're running out of time," Donovan said, his voice cutting through the haze. "Will
CHAPTER 70.Carlos stood by the tall window of his house, the city lights sprawled out below like prey waiting to be hunted. His phone was still warm in his palm, Hemsworth’s stammering voice replaying in his head.He had expected William to dig into the matter—of course he would—but not this quickly. Sooner or later, William would come straight for him.Lifting the phone again, Carlos dialed Donovan’s number.“Answer the call,” he muttered under his breath.“Yes,” came Donovan’s calm, soft voice.“William is at it again,” Carlos said.“So?”Carlos’s tone sharpened. “What do you mean so? Sooner or later he’ll get to the root of this, and when he does, both of us will be exposed.”“He won’t find out.”“Oh, please. Hemsworth just called me—William has already threatened him. Do you really think Hemsworth won’t crack under pressure?”“Don’t worry. I’ll handle Hemsworth. You just focus on your part.”Carlos paused. “Have you spoken with the SE already?”“Yeah. He’s waiting for Howard’s re
CHAPTER 69.Kate and Tina arrived at the address Mr. Howard sent earlier. It was the older part of town where the buildings leaned with age and the streetlights flickered like they had seen better days.“This place looks… abandoned,” Tina murmured, eyeing the cracked pavement and the peeling paint on the doors.Kate’s grip tightened on her bag. “Stay close.”Kate knocked. Once. Twice.The door creaked open, revealing a tall man in a dark suit, his hair neatly combed back. His sharp eyes scanned them both before settling on Kate.“You came,” he said in a low voice. “Good. Come inside. We don’t have much time.”The interior was dim, lit only by a desk lamp in the far corner. Papers were spread across an old wooden table — documents, photographs, and what looked like scanned copies of contracts.Kate sat cautiously, Tina hovering just behind her.Mr. Howard slid a folder toward Kate. “These were hidden in your father’s private archive. They were never meant to see the light of day… espe