Chapter 420

A chilling warning came through the phone: "Keep your mouth shut, or I'll sew it shut for you."

The call ended abruptly.

The driver's hand trembled as he clutched the phone, his shirt soaked with cold sweat.

......

As city lights flickered to life, Nathan Evans stood motionless before the floor-to-ceiling window like a statue.

The last remnants of sunset faded, darkness swallowing the city whole.

His sharp profile reflected in the glass.

Suddenly, he picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"Having fun, Ethan?" Nathan's voice carried an arctic edge.

A pause on the other end. "What's your problem now?"

"Didn't Lee Ashui contact you?"

Silence stretched between them.

"So he told you. The target survived." Nathan's laugh was icy. "Pity he lacked the nerve to finish the job. Your little scheme failed."

Ethan's voice darkened. "...When did you figure it out?"

"You think you're the only one who understands people?"

Margaret Evans had cut off Linda Lombardi's financial support, yet she and her son still stayed at five-star hotels and stalked the company daily.

Impossible without backing.

"I underestimated you," Ethan chuckled.

"Why?" Nathan's knuckles whitened. "Why set me up?"

If Lee had actually killed someone, Nathan would've faced charges for soliciting murder.

With media fueling the flames, the scandal would explode.

"Rich heir hires hitman"—what a headline.

"Cold-blooded, even for you, Ethan."

"You saw through it, didn't you?" Ethan sneered.

Nathan laughed abruptly. "Because of Evelyn?"

"Brothers?" Ethan exploded. "I fucking wish I'd never met you!"

"So you tried to bury me?" Nathan struck the nerve. "Too bad. Even without me, Evelyn would never want you."

Dead silence.

"To her, you'll always just be her ex's friend." Nathan twisted the knife. "Did you really think this would change that?"

"Shut up!"

"Hit a nerve?" Nathan barked a laugh. "Look at you, Ethan Winston—brought low at last."

For someone as meticulous as Ethan, the plan shouldn't have been so sloppy.

When Nathan first noticed irregularities, Ethan hadn't even been a suspect.